1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

I never heard of a money clip until I saw one in an American movie. I think it was Die Hard. If it wasn't that specific film, it was something like it. The hero was a man of few words, strong, macho, quick-witted, ingenious and irrepressible. As a man of few words myself I liked to associate with the other descriptors as well.

The hero in the film had one. He had a money clip too. And that's all I know about money clips. Whenever I have thought about them since I have always associated them with America and the American way of life, which is largely to do with accumulating money whilst spending it at the same time, being larger than life, kicking death in the goolies, eating pizza and being louder and cooler than everyone else.

Money clips are flashier than wallets. A wallet is like a suit with shoulder pads. A money clip is like a g-string. Even those with a thin frame can hide behind a wallet and give the impression that they're bigger than they are, even if they're down to their last fiver. If you have a money clip all your goods are exposed. If you have nothing you've got nothing to hide it behind.

As a young man growing up in the west of Ireland I saw a wallet as one of the accessories that a man carried around, along with a wrist watch, a good cigarette lighter and a chip on his shoulder against the ould enemy'. And that's how it stayed. I had my wallet. I had my wrist watch. I had my zippo.

Then I gave up smoking and I felt a gap in my accessories. If I continued to carry my zippo would I be seen as one of those non-smoking wannabe gigolos that carries a lighter just in case he has an opportunity to offer a light to a cigarette-smoking lady who forgot her matches? I probably would be seen as such. Also if I was successful as a gigolo I might have to end up kissing someone who tasted like an ash-tray. I ditched my zippo. Since then there has been a gap in my accessories.

A couple of months ago I almost succumbed to buying a money clip. I found one online in the course of casual browsing and the picture spoke to me. Buy me, Sean,' it said. I am small and shiny and will fit in your pocket. Buy me.' I went for it. I got my credit card ready. But no; for some reason that I don't understand the web-site declared that they were unable to post a money clip to Ireland! If it were poultry or fresh milk, or a gun or explosives or even electronic equipment I would understand, but what is the problem with putting a small metal money clip in the post? Anyway it was a no go.

That was it then until yesterday. I was walking past a shop window with my girlfriend on my way to the bus station to see her off when I saw it: The money clip that the Internet refused to sell me. I saw it looking at me. I glanced away. Half an hour later, standing in the queue for the bus, I heard it calling again. Buy me, Sean. The Internet can't stand between us. You can have me now.'

As soon as my girlfriend was deposited on the bus I went back to buy it. Needless to say it was twice the price of the one on the Internet and the salesman tried to sell me another one that was twice the price again but I finally got it. I'll just have to be careful on my way home now this Christmas to be on the lookout for thieves posing as terrorists taking over skyscrapers. But it's a small price to pay for being an all-American hero.

Learn more about this author, Sean McGoldrick.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Money clips?
We want to hear your view. Write now!