Green Bag Shopper.
12/29/2008
What do your bags say about you?
I headed to the grocery after a long day at the office. I felt like I was playing catch up all day long. I was after being out of the office for a number of days for the holiday. It made it an even longer day since there were a couple of people that were just in a rotten mood (not my fault) that just infected the mood.
As I was wondering around the store I noticed a few different things. We are all being trained here in Austin to bring our own bags to cut down on the use of the plastic ones. The stores do offer them for sale, rather inexpensively with their logo on them. I bought a few from the store I frequent and I do use them: I keep them in the trunk of the car. I noticed that some people bring in their bags with the “upscale” grocery label on them. I also noticed there are some that just use their South by Southwest goodie bags. I had been using those before the store came up with their brand of bag. The store ones have a square bottom so it is easier for grocery packing.
I also noticed that how people carry and treat these bags differs. Me, I just fold two of the bags, not very neatly and stuff them into the other bag so I am toting around one bag that has two of them inside. I leave the plastic bags from the vegetables inside one of the bags, I reuse them a couple of times before they end up in the bag recycle. It takes up a bit of room in the cart, but I just put my purchase onto top, or slide the bags over to one side. It is kind of messy, but it works for me. My bags are holding up well but they do say “I am used and loved”.
Some people I noticed have their bags all neatly folded stacked on top of each other. They look like they did when they were purchased. No wear and tear noticeable to the other shoppers or my prying eyes. Their bags were neatly tucked into a spot in the cart. I would say those bags were looking quite loved, but not in a used sort of way, more like a well taken care of way.
There were variations on the bags and I must be crazy for spending so much of my shopping time looking at how others treat their reusable bags. But I have a couple of questions that are lingering:
1. Has the reusable bag become a fashion statement?
2. Has the green bag become an indicator of economic status?
3. Does the treatment of these bags indicate how the user handles life?
4. Are their hidden relationship clues in the manner of bag handling?
5. Should we go on a shopping date with a potential mate to make sure we are in sync with our green bag handing?
6. Have I completely lost my mind?
I am going to keep an eye on the bag situation for a bit. I hope you notice it when you are in the store next time. Let me know about your green bag experience.
(Note to self: you have WAY too much time on your hands!)
