Shoppers worldwide from Ireland to Taiwan are now forbidden to use plastic bags because of environmental concerns. Instead they are encouraged to recycle bags or bring their own reusable bags such as the famous Whole Foods canvas tote designed by Anya Hindmarch that inspired world-wide shopping hysteria. Apparently some intrepid shoppers were willing to fly from Hong Kong to New York just to purchase one. So much for the environment!
While I am an absolute believer in conservation, I also believe that you should never hold up a line at the supermarket. People have places to go and things to do. Recently, I was at Trader Joe's after work buying groceries for a family dinner. I had a basket with only a few items. The customer (a supremely hairy man, yet bald and wearing a Brown, the university, not the color, t-shirt) just ahead of me had a shopping cart chock a block full of stuff, frozen food, cookies, crackers, you name it. The line started building up while the clerk rang up his purchases. For some reason, Mr. Hairy Brown just stood there staring at the payment screen and he kept staring as the cashier bagged his groceries. I assure you that the line behind me extended back into the produce the aisle. The bottom line is that he should have pitched in and bagged his own groceries. That's why there are bags and a little pull out shelf at the end of the check-out. And it is America, land of self-help. So the next time you find yourself at the supermarket, contribute to the campaign of consideration and help out your fellow shoppers. Bag your own stuff.
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