"Honey, can you hold this?"

I hear that from time to time when my wife and I are out shopping. She'll need both hands to check something out, and also needs a momentary pack mule to lug around her purse.

I suppose when I was younger I was a bit self-conscious about holding her purse, but as I got older I told myself: Hey, everybody knows this thing is not yours, so chill, dude.

But nowadays, things like a guy lugging a bag around are not so black-and-white. Welcome to the age of the man purse.

I think I heard the term for the first time quite a few years ago, and I am sure I got a big chuckle out of it. But now it is the makers of "murses" that are laughing all the way to the bank.

You see, according to some online reports, the man purse is a $9 billion industry.

An article I saw on qz.com said that over the past five years, men's "handbags" have undergone a sales growth nearly twice the rate of "the overall luxury industry."

Hmmm... give a whole new meaning to the James Brown's standard "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." While the Godfather of Soul was not referring to an accessory on the shoulder, the tune could be a soundtrack to an emerging industry.

I guess the big question is, will you be seeing me shuffling down the street swingin' my man purse for all to see?

Uh, nope.

No way.

Guess I am just too old-school to be hip. A leopard can't change his spots. Can't teach an old dog new tricks. Heck, I still don't even own a cell phone.

So when it comes to lugging around stuff, I just grab whatever is around that will do the job. A plastic or paper bag, a duffel bag or maybe a gym bag.

Not that I am here to buck the trend. More power to the metrosexuals who feel the need to fit in with fashion. I just wonder what they need to lug around anyway.

Sure, I get the wallet and the electronic device. Must haves these days, for sure (I'm fully expecting texting to become an Olympic sport soon).

But what else? Surely not makeup and a vanity mirror.

I've fumbled around inside the wife's purse enough to know what ladies can't leave home without, which is usually one of everything.

But us guys? Really, what do we actually need?

An umbrella? Hmmm... most guys I know would rather get soaked than pop out one and cower beneath it for the sake of dryness.

Sneaking food into the movie? C'mon man, that is what her purse is for.

Axe body spray (industrial size)? If you remember the commercial, you just spray it across you bandoleer-style, and the ladies come running.

But then, again, they may just want to steal your purse, er, murse.

Jerry Hitchcock will continue to travel light, with a wallet and comb in his back pockets, keys and lip balm in front. You can attempt to reach Jerry at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, via email at [email protected] or on Twitter at HitchTheWriter.