As I said before, I would do a blog on this phenomenon, "People who wear "Bum bags / Fanny packs" and what that says about them"

For ease of use I will only refer to them as bum bags, as this is the term I know. So you Yanks will have to get used to it. Living here in Berlin I have noticed the abundance of these fashion insults.

Although they may be somewhat practical, they do nothing for the image of the wearer. When I was asked to think of the image of a person that wears them by a good friend, my immediate thought was that of Lebanese wannabe ganstaz in Australia (sort of like Hoddies in the UK.) They are often seen wearing a white tracksuit, a sideways cap and a rather large, loosely fitting black bum bag, over where their penis should be. Now I don't know if it is supposed to be some kind of gang symbol, similar to that of the blood and crips gang colours in the US or if it has a more practical reason for being, so that when a rival kicks them where their balls should be it won't hurt as much. Either way they look stupid and should be treated as such.

The second is the BVG ticket inspectors. These guys (and girls) need somewhere to chuck their computer thingy that takes names when you don't have a ticket. Travel hint. Do not travel on a train in Berlin when you see someone with a bum bag get on if you don't have a valid ticket (you must insert your ticket into another machine to make the ticket valid.) These guys are on a quota system so the more people they catch the more money they get I guess. The very fact that I purchased a ticket from a ticket machine and hoped on a train and got busted for not validating it on my second day here in Germany automatically makes them my mortal enemies. Not too happy with the 40 euro fine either, bastards.

Prostitutes around Berlin also seem to have these accessories as well. And although I am not usually noticing the bum bag, I am sure that they could use a handbag of some sorts to make them look like ladies. As for what is in the bag I am unsure but I will hazard a guess. Condoms, Pepper Spray, Mobile Phone, Keys and perhaps a extendible baton of some sort. If anyone can enlighten me on this please do, I wont ask too many questions as to how you know their contents.

Japanese tourists. Ha, where do I begin? Do they not make pants with pockets in Japan? I guess not because I have never seen one put their hand into their pocket if only to keep warm. General hint with tourists, Japanese have bum bags, Chinese have a shirt or jumper with the name of the country they are in and a camera around their neck, Americans have a map and ask directions by shouting, hoping that by raising their voice somehow everyone will understand English, Brits will ask if the natives speak English in the native language of the land and if that doesn't work will use sign language to figure things out (Americans take note), Australians and Irish will talk loudly to everyone like they have known them for a lifetime and invite them out for a drink.

Old people. This I think is fair enough. Trying to carry around all of those medications would just be a hassle. When I get old and don't care what anyone thinks I am sure to do the same.

That's about all I can wrangle from this one. So remember, next time you see a person wearing one, try and work out which group they are in.

Bum Bag