> Personally I do the 3 pocket pat down every time. Left, right, back. Keys, phone, wallet.

Sometimes I'll do this while I'm using my phone, and momentarily freak out because my phone pocket is empty.

You should probably stop keeping your wallet in your back pocket, though. I downgraded to a smaller one so I could keep it in my front pocket with my phone.

I know it’s supposed to be bad for your back or posture or something rather but it feels impossible to stop that habit.

I meant to avoid being pickpocketed! It's easy for someone to yank it out of there. They can even replace it with folded paper to make you think it's still there when you check.

So, you do three times as many checks, and you're concerned about someone else developing a habit, lol? FWIW, I do the same things. I never shut my truck door without physically verifying I have my keys (lesson learned). ;)

Any time I am sitting in my car, my keys are in one of the following places:

* The ignition (my car plays a chime if I open the door with the keys still in the ignition) * My pocket (self explanatory) * My lap (they will fall and make a racket if I stand up without grabbing them first)

My father's system: Only lock doors from the outside, using a key. It's hard to lock yourself out that way. (Not helpful if you live in an apartment with doors that lock automatically.)

If you had an automatic key starter you’d never even need to take the keys out of your pocket. My new car has a keyless system and I never take the “key” out of my pocket. I just need to be nearby to click on a button on the door to open it. To lock, I put my hand in my pocket and click the lock button.