Cool concept, that pocket ashtray. I can visualise the 'annoyed' pickpocket counting out used butts instead of money.

Now this REALLY scares me. Where do you usually carry your money if not in a Portmonnaie (Portmonee in new german writing)??? In your pockets? ;-)
This is a joke, right?

Except when using a small evening bag, I don't carry my bills, coins and credit cards in one "wallet" Keep all separate incase someone might delve into my bag, they can't get everything (or nothing).

But, I've seen these small leather change/bill holders everywhere. Have you tried a local 99-cent store (or similar), even a street vendor. They only cost a few dollars.

Logos999,

What do you mean, "It's a joke"? Of course I carry my money in my pocket, as I suspect most American males do. I can recall my Grandmother taking a change purse out of her pocketbook and counting out change, but I haven't noticed anyone doing so for many years; and never a man.

That being said, I do carry one of those squeeze-open coin thingies when I am travelling, and have to deal with different coinage. When I arrive in a new country, I put my U.S. change in the coin purse and throw it in my suitcase. I take it out when I am flying home and stick it in my pocket for when I land back in the States. The foreign coinage then goes in the purse for when I go travelling again.

I also use one of those magnetic money clips for banknotes. That goes in my front pocket as well. I find it much handier and much more secure than keeping bills in a wallet.

:-)

>I haven't noticed anyone doing so for many years; and never a man.
Wow, so there IS at least one major difference between Europe and the US :-). We should add this to the "What do I have to do to look European?"- thread:
Every man should have at least a couple of porte monnaies.

Nukesafe, I have be using one of those squeeze open coin holders for years. Not only does it keep you change in one place but your pockets last much longer.

When I was 5 my mother sent me to school every day with my milk money for lunch. It was three pennies tied into a corner of a handkerchief. I guess that would still work?

I'm willing to bet the vast majority of American men do just carry their coins loose in the pockets. Am I right?

travelintoes, the pocket ash tray that Cigale provided is close to what I was thinking but in Japan they (at least used to) use the exact squeezing open coin holder type for cigarette ash like the followings.
http://www.higasi-osaka.com/nissin/sub3.htm

Patrick,

Yes, but only because of the dollar bill. If the smallest US bill was worth $6 (€5),
then I am sure more men here would carry a squeeze coin holders.

MyriamC---Hooray!!! Your url to clossetcadeaux is it!! Many thanks for your tenacity--now I can order 2 or 3 for my men-folk (Father's Day gifts)

I'll also check out the Italian and German versions--probably same thing, but fun to investigate. Obviously doesn't take much to peak my interest!

Thanks to ALL of you for your interest and input. I've really enjoyed your responses and learned bunches about both coin and butt holders!!

... and what American men do or do not carry in their pockets!

Is that a roll of quarters in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Hi OP

I have a money purse that looks pretty well like the one in Myriam's link. Except mine opens up and you can store paper money and credit cards too. Very handy features. Using Myriam's one you will need two wallets - one for coins and one for the rest. Not ideal. I stumbled upon mine at a flea market - new, in leather and around $6.

http://www.worldtraveler.com/jump.js...mp;itemID=1951

Thtis is one in the States

This link did not work for me?

travlintoes, I knew what you meant 'cause it's a typical porte-monnaie for men (my husband always has these).
If you want to look on German sites: it's also called 'Geldbeutel' in German, though I think you will find these ones more likely in Belgium and France.

bardo1, I don't know about that. In Canada, the lowest bill denomination is $5.00 - we have $1 and $2 coins. Still, I don't think I've ever seen a man carry his loose change in anything but his pocket.

Not to prolong this post unduly, but I think I know one reason North American men do not use change purses. I talked this over with guys and gals of my generation (old) and we agree that it is because of the movies we saw.

You know how they stereotype people in movies; bad guys wear black hats, good guys white ones? Well, the stereotype of a miser was the change purse. When the director wanted to show that some character was stingy, or overly fussy, even prissy, the actor would pull out a change purse and, with a long bony finger, dig out the change one penny at a time. Yoou iinstantly knew you could expect no generosity from this guy!

"Here, little boy, is a whole shiny dime for saving my daughter's life!"

I would feel silly sorting through the change deep inside a coin purse at the check-out counter, rather than quickly slapping down the correct amount from the palm of my hand.

Different folks -- different strokes.

:-)

Maybe it's those little things that leave a "bad" impression. I don't think I'm anti whatever, but if somebody would grab some chage out of his pocket instead his porte monnaie, the first thing I would think is "What a bum!". Funny, how easy you can judge people, isn't it. So americans, be aware :-)

Good Sunday to you folks!

Kappa--I checked out your Japanese site, which is very colorful, but confusing to me as I don't read Japanese characters! Did you say you once lived in Japan? Anyway, cool idea--Did you check out the link cigalechanta sited? Is a cool article regarding Liverpool and their aim to become a cleaner city --going to give out cigarette butt containers.

Sheila-mimosa--the link worked for me--that is the design--$50 is a bit steep though. Mine was about $15. Thanks for the site.

icithecat--how funny--I love your sense of humor and visualization!!

nukesafe--humm--well, my DH is definitely not a prissy guy and he really enjoys his porte monnaie. Guess it must be something in his European jeans--I mean genes! Like you said---diff folks-diff stroke.

cocofromdijon--glad we're on the same page when it came to finding what we needed!

logos999---thanks for your support of porte monnaie. You've got Euro class!