Disqualified by a duffel bag
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85137)
Shingle Springs, California
December 9, 2010 12:07pm CST
Somebody on here was asking what a duffel bag is, and that reminded me of an amusing story from my childhood.
I had this friend in High School, Sherry Bean. She lived with her mom and older sister, Connie. I'd say I was probably 16 when she invited me to go camping with her, her sister and her sister's boyfriend (the boyfriend was 18 or 19).
I don't know how we got on this topic, but turns out that we had a difference of opinion regarding how to pack the clothing that we were bringing for the trip. You see, her family used suitcases and mine used duffel bags.
Oooh, major philosophical differences here. We actually got in a heated discussion, and she pretty much told me that unless I could find a suitcase, I was uninvited.
Just as well, when I asked my parents, they told me I couldn't go.
3 people like this
20 responses
You are going camping right?
Who the hell packs a suitcase for camping.
TATA.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
9 Dec 10
I don't think I know anyone who's used a suitcase on a camping trip! Heck with a duffel bag you can even use it for a pillow. Try that with a suitcase! I use to use a suitcase, primarily on business trips, but now I'm 100% duffel bag. It's just so much easier to pack, transport, and unpack. And the clothes don't seem to be anymore wrinkled than they were in the suitcase, so... I hope you weren't disappointed when she uninvited you or your parents said you couldn't go. They probably had a miserable time anyway 
.
.1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Actually, I don't remember for sure, but I think it rained and they came home early. 
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Oh well this wasn't a hiking trip. It was a trip where we were going to drive to a campground and then set up a tent there. We wouldn't have been carrying the suitcase any farther than from the car to the tent.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Yeah duffel bags can be squeezed into a convenient space also...
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
26 Dec 10
wow..that sounds snotty.
i take a duffel bag,or even a backpack sometimes depending on how short the trip.
a rarely use suitcases,they're kind of unweildy.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
10 Dec 10
I can imagine your parent´s reaction. I wouldn´t let one of my girls go in such case. My two girlss always said that they would never raise their kids as I did but now I find they are doing a lot of things I did.
. I wouldn´t let one of my girls go in such case. My two girlss always said that they would never raise their kids as I did but now I find they are doing a lot of things I did.@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Dec 10
I don't blame my parents for not letting me go, but I was surprised at the time.
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
10 Dec 10
My daughters were very surprised at that age too by some of our decisions
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Dec 10
Packing a "suitcase" for camping? I'd be concerned that my suitcase would get dusty/dirty (especially if it were an expensive one - which is all that my parents had) . . . I'd just want to throw my things in and out of some kind of bag when I go camping. I'm for the "duffel bag" crowd . . . in fact, sometimes I was in the "grocery bag" crowd!
Dang, and you got uninvited over what you packed your stuff in??? Geez! That's a pretty harsh friend!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Duffel bag tents over there, suitcase tents on this side. Hilarious....
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Dec 10
Sort of reminds me of my daughter's friend's Halloween party this year. In a gathering of princesses at the table, one "butterfly" girl tried to sit and one princess told her "you can't sit her, only princesses with pretty dresses can sit at this table" . . . oh but I am talking about 5 year olds - not teens!!!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
11 Dec 10
OOOh, such a faux pas to use a duffel bag! I know that some people do have differences like that and it is funny in retrospect, but can be rather serious at the time.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Dec 10
My first experience with unreasonable pigheadedness... :D
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Dec 10
That is the most insensitive, rude thing I have heard in a long while! The B!tch wouldn't let you come because you had the wrong luggage! I hope that was the end of the friendship. I know it would have for me! I'm sooo glad I had more guy friends than girls.And the ones I did have wouldn't be as image over self-conscience that this b!tch.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Dec 10
We were on again off again friends for a few years, but we lost touch a few years after high school.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
10 Dec 10
We always used duffel bags and even brought a few out here when we moved. Isn't it amazing as to what rubbish bis considered important to some people. So glad that your Mom would not let you go and in retrospect maybe you are too. it.I remember breaking up with a friend over a bathing suit. She had conned me into my giving her mine and gave me an emerald green WOOLEN one in exchange and I wanted my modern one back! I didn't get it
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Dec 10
It wouldn't fit now anyway. (bad Dawn)
Nothing more disappointing than a friend or family member taking advantage of you that way. :-(
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
11 Dec 10
Your old high school chum would freak out at how our family packs for a trip. When we go on vacation or camping, we use gym bags, backpacks, suit cases, grocery bags...it all just depends on who is taking what and what they want to use. As long as the kids have clean clothes and don't look too wrinkled...I don't care what they use. It is a bit odd that your friend would get so upset about you carrying a duffel bag...makes you wonder if she now has kids if she is still a bit uptight!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Dec 10
If she has kids, they're probably grown up by now and driving their kids nuts with stuff like that!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Dec 10
First of all, I would have to say that our family would use suitcases when we were going on a regular vacation. However, I also remember the fact that we used to go on camping trips with Girl or Boy Scouts and whenever we were taking one of those trips, there was no way that we were allowed to take a suitcase with us. It was always a duffel bag for camping. So, to resolve the conflict from your childhood, I think that you were both right, but in this situation you and your family was more right.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Dec 10
I don't even think it's a matter of right. It's just a matter of what you're more comfortable with...
There is a Chinese quotation I think that says something to the effect that an intelligent enemy is better than a foolish friend...
Wonder where that bean bag is ...@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Dec 10
Oh well, she was mostly ok, not all that bright though.
@khanzee (123)
• Pakistan
10 Dec 10
Yes, there are different people with different nature, with different cast, with different habit, why we are so, it is a matter of Nature, as far as the duffel bag concerned, your friend should have given you suitcase, I think your friend had friendship with Suitcase rather than you..
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Dec 10
hahaha friendship with the suitcase! Maybe so....
@syoti20 (5292)
• Philippines
11 Dec 10
I think you are referring to me,dawnald. hehehe. Too bad you can't go to the activity since you don't have a suitcase. I am sad to know that.
I am curious what is that discrimination take place between a suitcase and a duffel bag?
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Dec 10
I have no idea as it really makes no difference to me!
@BarBaraPrz (51831)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
9 Dec 10
Problem solved!
Why would anyone take suitcases on a camping trip?!? Hotel, yes. Tent, no. Knapsack or plastic bag, I'd think, would suffice to hold a swim suit, towel, sweater and maybe change of underwear. I've always just slept in my clothes when camping, so never needed to pack a nightie.
Why would anyone take suitcases on a camping trip?!? Hotel, yes. Tent, no. Knapsack or plastic bag, I'd think, would suffice to hold a swim suit, towel, sweater and maybe change of underwear. I've always just slept in my clothes when camping, so never needed to pack a nightie.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
9 Dec 10
Wow.. picky for a 16 year old. A duffel bag would be fine for a camping trip in my opinion.. the suitcase would be more for serious travelling like by plane or a week long trip or something.
Me.. I just use whatever I can get my hands on. I don't travel much so when I do I usually end up needing to go buy some sort of bag to pack stuff in. Last time I found a great deal on a pack of suitcases at the Salvation Army, and I still have them, somewhere. Usually I grab a few duffel bags but they get destroyed and I always need new ones by the time I plan to travel again.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Usually for short trips we just use gym bags, carry on bags, whatever the heck we have. It's really kind of strange that it mattered that much to her...
@celticeagle (189915)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Dec 10
Probably better off too. THe suitcase crowd just doesn't know what they missing. I think the duffel bag crowd actually has it going on. Suitcases on a camping trip. Can you imagine. My uncle Fred would turn over in his grave. He was a duffel kind of guy. In fact I come from a long line of duffelers. One rung up from the cloth tied to the stick and hefted over your shoulder.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Yeah might as well just be snooty and get a cabin! ;D
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
We were friends until a few years after high school and then we lost touch...
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
9 Dec 10
Packing for any type of trip should be convenient, as any trip in itself is a bit inconvenient. Besides why load up so much cr@p like me, as I am one who wants to take the kitchen sink with me on my trips.
As I huff and puff with all I have to carry, I wonder why oh why do I pack so much. LOL
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
Reminds me of the huge amount of clothing I took for a camping trip with my sister. Warm weather clothing, cold weather clothing, and everything in between. I didn't end up wearing half of it!
@kameleon100 (89)
•
9 Dec 10
We're not really fond of going camping but whether it is going to a vacation for a camping in the wild on going to the beach people are more comfortable carrying evereything on backpacks or bags but never on suitcases. People would find you weird if you go to the beach and having your things placed in a suitcase.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Dec 10
yeah that would be weird for a trip to the beach!
