Recent travels in Malaysia and Thailand saw me commit a faux pas completely unawares. This seemed to happen when I was in a cafe working, and would mindlessly place my backpack or purse on the floor.
As the waitstaff rushed to lift my purse off the floor and onto a nearby chair, I wondered – is it bad luck to leave your purse on the floor?
I had to find out more.
TLDR: Here’s what I found out. Many cultures consider leaving a purse on the floor bad luck. They believe showing such disregard for your personal belongings could cause you to lose your money.
It’s best to keep your purse off the floor if possible. There are plenty of more secure ways to carry your bag that will keep your accessories clean.
Read on to learn more about the proper way to carry your purse and the reasons why you should avoid putting it on the floor.
Table of Contents
Should I Put My Purse on the Floor?
Try your best not to place your handbag on the floor, especially if you’re in a public location.
There are plenty of problems that you may run into if you don’t take care of your belongings.
Here are a few reasons why it’s best to keep your purse off the floor:
You May Lose Your Purse & Lose Money
One of the main reasons you should avoid putting your purse on the floor is that you may lose it.
It’s easy for someone to walk by and grab your bag when you’re not looking.
You Could Damage Your Purse
Another reason to keep your purse off the floor is that you could damage it. Your purse could get scuffed up or dirty if you set it on the floor.
If you have a delicate purse, it’s especially important to avoid setting it down in a public place.
It’s Rude to Put Your Purse on the Floor
In some cultures, it’s considered rude to put your purse on the floor.
If you’re in a country where this is the case, you should definitely avoid doing it.
Not only is it impolite, but you could also offend someone if you’re not careful.
It’s Bad Luck to Put Your Purse on the Floor
Some people believe that it’s bad luck to put your purse on the floor. Whether you believe in this superstition or not, it’s still best to avoid doing it.
You don’t want to risk having bad luck, especially when it comes to your personal belongings.
You May Forget Your Purse
Out of sight, out of mind. If you put your handbag on the floor, you may forget about it. It’s easy to walk away from your bag when it’s not in your line of vision.
If you’re worried about forgetting your purse, keep it close to you at all times.
It May Be A Tripping Hazard
Putting your purse on the floor could create a tripping hazard. If someone were to trip over your bag, they could get injured.
This is especially dangerous if you’re in a crowded place. It’s best to avoid putting your purse on the floor to prevent any accidents from happening.
Where Should I Put My Purse Instead of the Floor?
So, what should you do with your purse if you can’t put it on the floor? There are a few different options that you can choose from.
Here are a few of the most popular ones:
Put Your Purse in Your Lap
One of the best places to put your handbag is in your lap. This way, you can keep an eye on it at all times.
Plus, it’s more difficult for someone to grab your bag without you noticing.
Wear a Crossbody Bag
If you’re really worried about losing your purse or having it stolen, you can wear a crossbody bag.
This way, your bag will be close to your body without being directly in the way.
You can adjust the strap to make sure the bag is snug against your body.
Hang Your Purse on the Back of Your Chair
Another option is to hang your purse on the back of your chair.
Since you’ll be able to feel the strap of the bag against your back, you’ll notice if someone tries to take it.
However, you may not notice if someone carefully slips a wallet or phone out of the bag while it’s hanging behind you.
So, keep an eye on your belongings by draping a hand over your bag as it hangs.
Use a Purse Hook
If you don’t want to hold your handbag the whole time, you can use a purse hook. These hooks are designed to fit over the back of a chair or table.
You can then hang your purse from the hook to keep it off the floor.
Go Without a Purse and Carry Your Own Money in a Wallet
In some cases, it may be best to go without a purse. If you’re only going to be gone for a short period of time, you may not need to bring your handbag with you.
This is especially true if you’re just running a quick errand.
Feng Shui & Other Money Superstitions
Some people believe that it’s bad luck to put your purse on the floor because it’s a symbol of money.
In Feng Shui, it’s said that putting your purse on the ground can cause your money to “drain away.”
An old saying in Chinese culture states “A purse on the floor is money out the door.”
According to Feng Shui consultant, Katherine Ashby: “Your money, chequebook and credit cards are usually in your purse and putting them on the floor shows disrespect for the order of things and disregard for your wealth and money” (quoted from this article on Wendy G Young’s Awaken the Artist website).
Bad feng shui can also be caused by having your purse in your bedroom. It’s said that this can cause financial problems because it’s a symbol of “letting money sleep.”
In Turkey. it’s also considered bad luck to put your purse on the floor. This money superstition is similar to the one in Feng Shui.
It’s said that it is a sign of financial ruin ahead and is also considered to be rude.
Brazilians have also historically seen it as bad luck if one’s bag is placed on the ground. This takes away wealth and good fortune from one’s financial life and is seen as a lack of respect.
Have a Belief that Attracts Wealth
Whether or not you believe a person can attract wealth by the position of their purse, it’s still important to be careful with your belongings.
Here are some ways you can use a good mindset to attract more dollars into your life:
- When gifting purses, put money inside of them first. This is considered lucky and ensures that the recipient’s wealth will continue to grow.
- Keep your purse organised and clean. This shows that you’re responsible with your money and can attract more wealth into your life.
- Make sure the colour of your purse is lucky for you. In China, it’s said that red attracts good luck and fortune.
These are just a few things you can do to keep your handbag safe while boosting your chances of prosperity.
Final Thoughts
While there are a lot of different superstitions about money, it’s ultimately up to you whether or not you believe them. If you’re worried about bad luck, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and your bag will be safer and cleaner when off the ground.
What do you think? Do you believe that putting your purse on the floor is bad luck? Do you have any other superstitions about money?
Related:
- 100+ Money Affirmations That Work Fast
- 10 Reasons Your Right Hand Is Itching (Wealth and Luck)
- 7 Reasons Your Left Hand Is Itching (Money and Work)
