I shop at Walgreens all the time. Several times a week, in
fact -- and while I almost always carry reusable shopping bags to the grocery
store, I rarely apply this convention to a trip to the drugstore. Call me evil.
Call me irresponsible.
Last night, after a very long day, I stopped by Walgreens on
the way home and purchased four items. After standing in line for several
minutes and exchanging banal pleasantries with the young man behind the
register, I paid for the items and waited for my bag. He thanked me, and
started ringing up the next customer.
“Excuse me. Could I get a bag?”
The kid looked at me as if I had asked for free soup and a
hooker. Then, he actually smirked. “Would you care to purchase a bag? We no
longer carry plastic bags.”
My reply was a bit sarcastic. “Oh. You think they could have
sent out a memo on that? How much is the bag?”
“Thirty-nine cents.”
“Fine.” I handed him two quarters, he handed me a small white bag and
change. The bag had an odd, fibrous texture, sort of like Tauntaun hide. He immediately turned his attention back to the next customer. I bagged my own
items and left.
I have no problem with the initiative behind this. I applaud
it, in fact. But the attitude of this kid was insufferable. He was enjoying
this process a little too much. He got to stand there, in his first crappy job
ever, and piss off old people who expect plastic bags. Suddenly, he wasn’t a
clerk -- he was an eco-warrior.
I shouldn’t have to explain this to anyone, but I need a
bag. I need it to carry the stuff I just paid for as I walk home. I don’t drive
a car these days. In fact, the last time I operated an internal combustion engine, Bush’s
daddy was president. This sophomore probably drove his mother’s
Escalade to work -- but he’s standing there saving the goddamn planet, and I’m
just a clueless bastard with the temerity to expect the same
landfill-congesting service I’ve received at that particular store for five
years.
Like I said, I’m not perfect. Who is? Al Gore has a
climate-controlled pool house.
I can adjust to almost anything, but I need a warning. When
Whole Foods stopped offering plastic bags, they were smart enough to issue
press releases and spend weeks explaining the policy change before it happened.
And, because of this, it was a smooth transition, as opposed to a slap in the
face.
I need laundry detergent this morning, and Walgreens is still the nearest store. I don't think I'll take the bag I purchased last night. Instead, I’ll take a plastic bag with a
big red CVS logo on it. I’m sure I have one around here somewhere.
