It's bad for your back if you put your backpack in the front.. It's putting too much weight, too far away from your center of gravity..

IMO, you're better off just getting a little luggage lock and locking your zippers together. That's what I usually do.

my generation consider it uncool to wear a backpack, wrinkles the clothes , fashion whatever, so i still use briefcases, which leads to many strange looks in china, also carrying a pack on marches in the military sort of ruined my preference for backpacks.

It is perfectly logical in China. If it is called a backpack, it should be worn on the front.

I've done that when I used to go to school just because I was bored. It's not hip or cool! I've seen some adults doing that in the city as well as small kids. It looks ridiculous!!

yeah, sometimes on crowded metro car.

any pickpocket would have a tough time getting anything out of my back-pack! Common sense approach to packing it before going out means i can confidently walk around without fear of sticky fingers finding anything of value in it

never, ... i don't put anything valuable in it - plus it doesn't look cool at all.

I find it amazing, in this day and age, that pickpockets and luggage thieves, etc. etc. could make a living.....  don't we all take all the necessary precautions...... I have traveled a bit.. never lost anything .....  guess i been a bit lucky ...............   oops, back in about  1976, I left my camera and traveller's cheques and passport ...  at a pay phone thing......  big time panic...    I had nothing  when I got to my hotel.... no money, no ID  ,,,,,,,,  worked it out with AMEX and got home to Vancouver.................  3 months later, I got my camera and my travellers cheques and my little shoulder pouch bag in the mail ..................  lost in the LAX airport due to my forgetfullness ( maybe I was high  .. it was 1976),,,,  got back, because most people are good!!!

no