You are forced to make many decisions when going out, no matter if you go to a house party, club, or bar.
The first decision is what to wear. Try not to wear something you’ll want to take off (besides your coat if weather necessitates it). Also, don’t wear jewelry and other items that can easily fall off. Keep it comfortable and leave the extras in your closet.
The second decision is what to bring. My suggestion is to limit what you bring with you. Be a minimalist. Do not bring unnecessary and expensive items out with you; keep your diamonds, designer bags, cameras, and Ray Bans at home. Also, large bags, sweaters, and other bulky items are easily lost or forgotten. Make sure your wallet is emptied of unnecessary cards as well, you don’t want to lose your wallet drunk and later find out that your social security card was in it.
The third decision is the coat – and it is a big decision. It may be the largest item you carry with you on a night out, something you won’t want to wear all night, something you don’t want to spend the night holding, and something that often is very necessary to take along. Some of us may be able to go out without dressing too warmly – to those people I say I am jealous and please feel free to skip to the next section. For those people who, like me, live in a place where it snows before Thanksgiving, please keep reading.
The best option for assuring your coat is protected is to check it. You may try wearing something light and keeping it on – but dancing and alcohol will make you too warm. You may tie it around your waist – but then you’ll realize you look ridiculous. You may leave it in the car – but then you’ll freeze on the walk. It is always a good idea to call ahead and ask if coat check is available and what the cost is.
At a house party, of course, there is most likely no coat check. Chances are at best there will be a bedroom (or other small room) dedicated for everyone’s coats. When using the coat room at a party, make sure that you empty the pockets. Keep your money, phone, and ID on your person.
The fourth decision is whether to carry a bag or to rely on your pockets.
When carrying a bag, try using a cross-body bag that has a secure closure such as a zipper. Also, keep enough money tucked away on your person to get home in case your bag is misplaced or stolen.
If not using a bag, keep your money in different pockets to limit what a pickpocket may be able to get. Use your front pockets, zippered pockets, and other pockets with closures to limit access for pickpockets and keep your things from falling out. Keep your keys clipped to a belt or use a lanyard to prevent their loss.
No matter if you make the right (or the wrong) decisions your things may still be stolen or lost. In case your items are missing, take the following precautions:
- Keep a password or other lock protection on your phone to protect your information.
- Write or engrave your name on items to ensure they are easily identified as yours.
- Take pictures of items and write down serial numbers to improve description in a police report.
Some last words of warning: watch your tab total when at a bar. Write in the tip and grab your card on the way out. Don’t let the bartender choose their own tip as it may be more than you intended.