Strange things you're not used to

[pegbert64 0]

I can relate to the bag thing - Trader Joes actually pack bags properly and ENCOURAGE you to bring the bags (paper with handles ) to reuse them - that is great I keep forgetting though and we have a large pile of bags on the fridge (including my two co-op ones from the UK that I brought ) We don't have a garage which is really annoying - we have a tiny square piece of counter in the kitchen and when that gets full, it all goes into a carrier bag (after all - we have thousands - I really don't see the point of putting just one thing in a bag - wouldn't it be better to just carry it on its own???) and we take it to the next city over where they pay you to recycle - you get a voucher to use in the grocery store (which has a deli and stuff which is cool - fresh meat!).

But yeah - the bag thing really annoys me

Back in Canada, there were some stores where you HAD to bag your own groceries. Thus, I have no trouble jumping in and bagging my own stuff here.... I always get a funny look from the clerks, but at least I know it will be done right; they think I'm helping THEM, but really I'm looking out for myself I've even had occassion to rebag something right infront of the bagger..... as in "soup cans do NOT go on top of the bread, thank you"

The other thing that I find strange is when they DON'T bag things (large juice bottles, 2liter sodas, etc). Not all of us have the luxury of driving into an enclosed garage, and carrying single items from the street doesn't make a lot of sense. I solve this by grabbing a couple of extra bags on the way out, and rearranging my groceries once I get to the car. Not a big deal, but I kind of think there is no point in doing something if it's not going to be done right the first time. Oh well!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

are there any supermarkets in the UK where you DON'T have to bag your own stuff? I was used to it - cashiers in Sydney were always like deer in the headlights when I produced my own bags, so I got used to doing it myself there - but some Aussie friends of mine took a while to come round to it

[StillThePrettiest 3]

and pegbert, why not keep some spare bags in the car, for that sort of situation, instead of always getting new ones? you could re-use the same ones a few times before they broke, or maybe even supply stronger ones of your own; maybe the sort you get clothes in (which, for some odd reason, are often tougher than the ones made to carry much heavier items)... maybe even keep a box in the boot (or trunk, for heathens ), which could be stacked full of stuff and then be carried inside

Edited August 1, 2008 by StillThePrettiest

[Jeraly 4]

Oh I've re-bagged in front of the bagger

[Marilyn. 340]

i have a whole collection now of those canvas bags things (some I got for free, some my mom made for me and some were like $1 each)..

I usually only use them at the grocery store though.. I love them for packing tins and heavy things..

[Reba 2]

canvas bags are really cheap to buy. Tonnes and tonnes of stores have them! Everyone from craft stores to "go green" on-line shops. Plus, a lot of stores sell their own re-usable canvas bags or made from recycled materials bags. Some are pricey (Harris Teeters are like $5! Aldi and Big Lots are like 99 cents!)

AC Moore

Michaels

lots and lots of selection at Eco-Bags

Oriental trading company

I have like 10 canvas bags that I've been using for several years. Most of them I got when I used to work for a software company. Any conference that we had we always got a canvas tote bag to carry away all our swag Each bag can carry about 5 - 2 litre bottles of pop. If I had to use the grocery store plastic bags for those, they usually only put 2 bottles per bag, and double bag 'em, so that I'd end up with 20 plastic bags every time I did shopping if I happened to forget to bring my bags with me.

I even take them now into clothing shops and K-Mart and Wall Mart. I get strange looks, but I really don't give a shite

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I have about twenty too, and I take them EVERYWHERE

sometimes I get a plastic bag for clothing, if the cloth bags are a bit manky and have been recently used for carrying fruit and milk and what have you, but we probably get less than one plastic bag per week

[Jeraly 4]

I have like 10 canvas bags that I've been using for several years. Most of them I got when I used to work for a software company. Any conference that we had we always got a canvas tote bag to carry away all our swag Each bag can carry about 5 - 2 litre bottles of pop. If I had to use the grocery store plastic bags for those, they usually only put 2 bottles per bag, and double bag 'em, so that I'd end up with 20 plastic bags every time I did shopping if I happened to forget to bring my bags with me.

I even take them now into clothing shops and K-Mart and Wall Mart. I get strange looks, but I really don't give a shite

Wow - you have good baggers... we get one bottle per double bag.. If I get a choice I tend to ask for paper as they can be recycled and get packed better as well!!

Other things I am not used to are the evil bugs and dirty feet

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I'm with you guys on the bags, I got some very light bags that I leave in my handbag (purse) all the time, and I have some heavier shopping bags that I take with me when I know I'm going grocery shopping. Any plastic bags I end up taking home, I generally use as bin liners or something. (Although I prefer to buy biodegradable bin liners).

The thing that I've noticed is that most of the sole traders and single businesses (not chains, or small local chains) tend to only be found in those nasty strip malls. I can see now why people would want to go to the big malls to the nice shiny places. The rents must be so high in those malls that the sole traders can only afford to be in strip malls. I really hope to be able to find good local restaurants, coffee places etc. But I can see why people here pass them by.

[Ontarkie 14,542]

Oh ya bugs they got some really big spiders here and they freak me out. I miss the nice frozen ground in the fall to kill all the buggies.

Edited August 2, 2008 by Ontarkie

[Gemmie 142]

But that's in Texas, right?

Nowhere in the North East? Please?

[MissStacey 1]

Oh ya bugs they got some really big spiders here and they freak me out. I miss the nice frozen ground in the fall to kill all the buggies.

I hear ya. There are so many bugs and creepy crawlies here in Louisiana.

Also- I took Cooper to a local dog park and there were fleas everywhere. I have never had to deal with fleas before. Cooper gets the treatments every month and I know he is ok and won't bring them home. It freaked me out though- I came home and scrubbed myself in the shower because I felt icky. Now I am turned off about going back there. I hate to see Cooper miss out- he loved it there and now he has to suffer because I am neurotic.

[Reba 2]

But that's in Texas, right?

Nowhere in the North East? Please?

You'll be fine in the North East for half the year. Winter time kills most bugs, so you'll have 6 months with bugs, and 6 months without.

Generally speaking though, the bugs aren't nearly as big and deadly up north as they are down south here.

[melusine 5]

lol i already had to kill a couple of black widow (you know the spider that can basically kill you) and saw 3 tarentulas so far ! creepy !

as for groceries i am using my old loblaws giant bags....very very convenient, sturdy and big and everything.

i just love them

[melusine 5]

another note... about supersizing food.... it fits me !

i can then get 2 or 3 meals out of it ! make things cheaper overall