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Fluffy, practical or fun – which of these 16 key ring types are you?
5.6.2022
There are over 2,000 keyrings on Galaxus. Obviously way too many to keep track of. I felt the urge to create a sense of order. So here comes a small typology of key ring users.
If I ever wanted to buy a key ring, then I’d obviously rather head to my favourite online shop. On galaxus.ch, the search for «key ring» throws up 2197 results. Help! The filters only help to a certain extent. Instead of endless scrolling, I first try to typecast them. What type of people would buy and use different kinds of key rings?
1. The «functional» ones
You’ve got somewhere between three and seven keys, and you don’t just want to leave them lying around separately. So what do you buy? A basic key ring. Problem solved.
If you identify as a «functional» kind of person but you still want to make your key ring a bit more extravagant, you can get attachable tags you label yourself. That way you always know which key is for which lock. This type of key ring is the one you often see in 2-star hotels, in janitors’ key boxes or in key safes. If you can’t read or if you remember things well based on colours, then skip the labels and go straight for coloured keycaps.
2. The «gadget gurus»
You’re in this category if you’ve spotted the opportunity a key ring offers. They’re not just handy for hanging your keys on; they also serve as practical helpers. Need an example? How about a mini LED torch that lights up even the darkest keyhole. And who hasn’t wanted a bottle opener in those moments of need?
3. The «adventurers»
4. The «nature lovers»
Just like the «adventurers», you also have a thing for nature. But the difference being you see it more as a respectful partner you need to protect. All of that is encapsulated in your choice of key ring. Which is why you opt for designs made of materials gifted by nature. Does that include leather? I’m asking for a vegan friend.
5. The «connection seekers»
Your key ring was probably a present. People rarely buy these things for themselves. The little guardian angel or fish will have been from your devout Christian aunt. Your partner and children probably gave you the plexiglass thing with photos on both sides for Mother'’ Day. The metal heart with the engraving «V&R – love, forever» was a present your ex gave you when you’d been going out for three months. It was good while it lasted.
6. The «merch victims»
7. The «furry and feathery» fans
8. The ones with «an eye for the skies»
The IWC pilot’s watch almost didn’t cut it, but at least the «Remove before flight» tag ticked all the boxes. At least it makes you feel a bit like Tom Cruise before he gets into his F14. But the thing is, why would we take a piece of fabric into the cockpit, which is actually something the mechanics who always stay on the ground deal with? There are surely more useful and pilot-worthy things.
9. The «bag fanatics»
You’ve understood that a key ring provides a limited number of uses. Wisdom has brought you to reach for the «wallet meets key ring and miniature handbag» combo. In other words, the lovechild that is the key case. Your keys find their home on the key ring, which you can store away in the case when you’re not using it. It’s a great invention — in some parallel universe that I don’t inhabit, at least.
10. The «matching couples»
You know those couples who buy matching raincoats for a bike trip or who take the same backpacks on a hike? Those are the perfect candidates for «couple look» key rings. For instance, they can each hang half a heart on their key ring. Puzzle pieces are also popular. But at the very least, they need to be identical metal plates with engraved names. Depending on the relationship, you then take your own name plate or your partner’s.
11. The «jokers»
12. The «glitz and glamour» ones
So, you’ve got your wrist, décolleté, fingers and ears already bejewelled. Where else can you add jewellery? To your keys, that’s where. There’s an ample selection of overpriced pieces that sparkle in hues of gold and silver and boast a luxurious appearance thanks to cut glass.
13. The «tech lovers»
14. The «ribbon wearers»
15. The «souvenir connoisseurs»
16. The «careful» ones
Unfortunately, I still can’t decide which key ring to get. But at least I now know the range in the shop pretty well. When I was at the car dealership doing the handover, it occurred to me that they were giving me a pretty good key chain tag. It’s a plain piece made of black leather. I’ll probably just keep that. And leave my wife to agonise over choosing her own key ring.
Until then, I'll just keep the key ring from the dealership. What does that say about me?
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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