What kind of universe do some of you live in?

Mrs F (or Ms F as was till relatively recently) have been wandering round the world together for about a third of a century. One of the reasons we've kept together for all these years is that we NEVER ashare suitcases.

It's no damn business of hers how I pack. Or viccy-versy.

As Fulton Sheen might have put it if he'd had half a brain (but, alas...): the family that packs together, gets divorced together.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it but I pack for both of us. But I do ask what he wants to take. As we both only take a 22 in carry on I mix and match whose stuff goes where. And I used to argue with him to take more than one pair of shoes but now I don't bother--and use the extra space for my extra pair.

Flanneruk, you have to promise me that if you check your bags and yours is lost forever and hers arrives on time, you will NOT wish that you had packed half of your clothes in hers and "viccy-versy."

Very funny comments on here

My husband is like aegris'...cannot pack to save his life. He decided on what clothes to pack, but then he asks me to do the folding/packing. Somehow I have a knack for being able to do that and have things come out without a wrinkle.

Now, while he picks out his clothes, he still asks for help. He fully admits he cannot put an outfit together. I think it was the military career...he never had to think about what goes with what. So he asks for help with that, which is a good thing because I have seen what he has tried to put together sometimes. We both laugh about it though, so no hard feelings.

Helping a husband pack is a piece of cake. I challenge anyone to make suggestions to a 16 yr old girl for our trip to Paris, while trying to keep it in one carryon. That is a real challenge

I used to pack for 4, myself, the 2 kids, and my husband. The "kids" are now 17 and 20 and they pack for themselves and I quit packing for my husband several years ago too. I do have a packing list for each person that I give them to refer to. It makes trip preparation a lot less stressful when I'm only packing for me!

My daughter was in France last summer and saw a number of men in capris or man-pris as she callled them.

My beau is a grown man - 51 years old - and perfectly capable of knowing how to dress himself in any situation. (Although sometimes he asks me about a particular tie.)

He knows how to dresss to go out to dinner at home - why would a foreign city be any different?

(And do the husbands who want to wear all these strange clothes in europe dress that way at home? Perhaps the problem is not packing for travel - but that they just need a better sense of fshion and new wardrobe? It shouldn;t be that hard to convince them that touring a world capitol requires differnt clothing than cleaning out the garage.)

My husband packs his own bag. Geesh, he isn't a child.

As for attire, well, he isn't MR. GQ, but he has really improved in the past few years. I do make , err, umm, suggestions on that issue.

We are amoung those who pack together. We talk about where we are going and what we need - sort of a collaborative process. I am as apt to ask my husband if I should or should not take something as his is to ask me.

If we are going with strictly carry-on, then no worries, each person packs his or her own case. But if we are checking luggage, then we split the difference so as to minimize potential losses.

I am the last person anyone would ask for fashion advice. Well no, maybe my husband is. But I did tell him not to take the really worn out filthy suede jacket he wanted to bring to Barcelona. He doesn't see that it's old and dirty and worn out, he sees it the way it used to be. Like that old Volvo he refused to get rid of until way past its useful life.

But he brings me along, and I might be the most unfashionable accessory he has. So I keep out of his suitcase and he keeps out of mine.

Hey..the spousal trauma here is killing me!!! My wife and I are going in May. Whenever we go to Europe, (this will be our 7th trip in 5 years) we follow only one rule...PACK LIGHT!!!.

You don'want to avoid checking luggage if possible.

We use one 22-in carry on (for overhead) and one or two small underseat bags.

It IS possible...it take willpower...and it's really worth it.

SS

This is a great run!

My husband is also my partner and best friend, so neither of us would assume the right to allow or not something....BUT I do try to guide him while we pack.

Missypie: I also pack half & half after finding out the hard way when my case was lost on the way to Key West (in January) and although I eventually purchased new clothes it was not fun doing it for that reason.

After 20 years in the Army, I do not abide with dress codes. We each pack what we want in our carry-on sized bags.

Neither of us are very dressy in our personal lives. (Work clothes: my wife is an attorney and I was a financial manager.) If dress-up is required at a restaurant, then the restaurant is out.

I lived in Germany for 6 years, my wife 9 years. We always found plenty of folks that dress pretty informally. Those folks go out to eat, visit museums, etc. We share space with them.

Have baseball cap, will travel. May all of you be as happy with your decisions.

Regards, Gary

My LW and I have instilled this important principle into our well-traveled daughter for many years now. A <i>real</i> traveler always packs <b>and carries</b> his/her own case. It is a matter of personal responsibility.

SSander, remember that in April, the rest of the EU will follow the lead of the UK and allow only one carry on per person...gone are the days of a 22&quot; bag and a purse or backpack.

My DH and I are both light packers but I start packing a week ahead of time, taking things out and adding others while he packs either the night before or 10 minutes before we have to leave. Normally this system works for us....except for that one time for a Christmas holiday in Marseille, when he forgot to pack any underwear! And no, he didn't wear mine!

I help mine decide what to pack and make suggestions along the way. Usually I can convince him to see my point and if not I just go along with him and add whatever it is I think he may also need. I would never unpack anything without him agreeing to it.

Thanks to all for the replies. I should have phrased the question differently. I don't mean to give permission to my DH for anything!!!
We have had a change, though, now the hat is staying home and he's bringing his bright yellow and black raincoat with a hood that we use for kayaking.
I applaud all of you men who have clothes sense and pack your own suitcases. We learned long ago that our strengths and weaknesses are different. I pack (he could if he had to), he fixes my car. Etc., etc.
We pack lightly, carry-on with a purse or bag. Might have to check on the way home if they allow only one bag, but who cares if baggage is delayed a few days.
We leave tomorrow!! Happy travels to all.

We pack together. I get out what I need and she has veto power over which and how many shirts I take. I would take all brown if left alone. She is better at folding and packing a bag so she is in charge and I help.

Why not help each other out? Whomever is not as busy as the trip approaches can lay out clothes for both of you. I have been overwhelmed with work related things and getting the dogs to the kennel, etc. just before a trip and I have appreciated it when someone pitches in to help me with my packing. I have helped my husband pack when he was finishing a deadline before a trip.

Aren't married couples supposed to like each other enough to be a team?

Oh SeaUrchin my husband and I are a team but I have to admit I would never want him to pack for me! LOL!

I'm sure I'd have pleanty of under garments - but My goodness what a mess of everything else I would have! I love him too much to imagine what he would pack for me.