It has always been said of Americans that we take more stuff with us when we go anywhere, than anybody else in the world. Our soldiers carry more equipment into battle on their backs than any other nation. That has been so since at least Civil War times. Take a look at any American going anywhere and an inventory of what they are taking along. Heading to the beach ? A typical couple might take, blankets,an umbrella, a cooler, various sunscreens and tanning oils, a radio or I pod, a tote with clothing, and a tote with some food stuffs. Opps, forgot the chairs,towels,boogie boards,floats, Frisbee and football.
I have noticed this trend gaining momentum over the years. We are taking more and more items with us everywhere. My daughter in law sells those Thirty One products. An entire sales line of totes,bins,bags and carriers for all sorts of products. It has been a standard joke about what women carry in their purses, it is a lot !Now this Thirty One company provides the ladies with even more options for bringing along those necessary items.
I watch the kids going to school. Most are carrying backpacks large enough to hold a good portion of the library ! Those backpacks could hold enough supplies for a polar expedition. I hear stories of the children hurting their backs trying to carry them. Go to the airport and note the number of bags being checked. Despite the cost, those bags are packed !
We Americans are just spoiled. We want all the comforts of home,all the time. Even when we go ” camping ” we take everything. Some of us go ” camping ” in a motor home that is just that. A home on wheels complete with kitchen,bath,bedrooms, satellite television and a hot tub. And those motor homes will be packed to the gills with stuff. Sometimes towing a boat or another vehicle.
Maybe it comes from the days of the covered wagons. Heading west it was necessary to take everything with you. There were no stores along the way and nothing where you were going. It made sense to bring along your stuff. Still, a lot of that stuff got left alongside the trail. Most of us came to this country by boat. We brought our belongings along with us. We packed our stuff into big cargo chests. Could be this is what influenced us to take everything along with us. Do we as Americans have a fear of leaving anything behind ?
Well in my opinion we have too much baggage ! We need to rid ourselves of this obsession. Travel light and fast is my motto.