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What's in a woman's bag?

I've always wondered what it is that goes through a man's head when he looks at a lady's handbag...

Men generally carry a handful of essential items; namely his wallet, his cell phone and his car keys. So when the thought of just looking at a woman's handbag usually causes them to sip a beer and complain of yet another 'near-death' headache.

"It is probably filled to the top with a bunch of non-important 'important' stuff that women can simply 'not live without.'" That is what I imagine they think.

The ones I really love to watch are the men who look at a handbag as if it is the key to a whole new world. That if you open it, little men – or probably only little women (since they know what other women want) – leap out and try to find that darn lip ice again!

Or is it a portal? One that allows a woman to reach inside and pick up a paper towel or breath mint which she slipped in from the Spur about four blocks away.

Wow! Imagine if that was the case. It would definitely explain a lot of childhood confusion around Mary Poppin's handbag. It would also make 'female-life' so much more convenient, carrying a small handbag, but having the contents of your cupboard at your fingertips.

There are also those men who believe that once something goes into a woman's handbag, it will never be seen again, and this is possibly the main reason why a woman is constantly digging inside her handbag. Some even have the skill of climbing halfway inside to fine these 'missing in action' items. But as many of us know: you've got to do some digging to fine the gold.

Everything we keep in our bags is of absolute importance. Even that chewing gum. Those year old throat sweets or Spur mints come to be in great need when you have a whining child demanding for a sweetie. Then there's the pen that sits inside my bag for months without ever being needed, until that one day I need it urgently!

Although men may not understand the importance of having to carry around lip ice, lip gloss AND lipstick at all times, it is part of what makes me a 'woman'.

Follow Women24 on Twitter.

Still unsure of what should be in your handbag? See our list of handbag essentials.


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