Buffalo Boy's Blog

Three incidents this past week have me annoyed with the question "Would you like those in a bag?"

The first was at Tops about a week ago. I had about 8 items, one was a gallon of milk and some other basic grocery items and the cashier looked at me and asked "would you like the milk in a bag?" They always look up and give you this deer caugh in a headlight look when it comes to the milk. Of course I want my milk in a bag. The funniest part to me was she asked me first before she started scanning, would you like these in a bag....referring to all my groceries. All 8 items. I thought she was kidding. I looked at the counter, looked at her, looked down again and then quickly realized she was serious, so I quickly said, "Yes".

The second experience was at Wegmans over the weekend. What is it with newspapers? It was the Sunday paper. It wouldn't matter if it was the Wednesday paper, but it just happened to be the Sunday edition. Again the deer in the headlights look. "Would you like the newspaper in a bag?" I have $60 something worth of groceries and this is even a question? Why wouldn't I want the paper in a bag? is it going to rebel against the meat? Is it going to spoil the milk? What? Am I missing something? No matter what store I go to, the paper always give the cashier the puzzled look and elicits that very question.

The third experience and this is when I got annoyed was today at the Lexington Co-Op. I had about 11 items, no way was I walking out of there trying to perform a balancing act without a bag. But nonetheless, after scanning everything, had not bagged a single thing! Would you like these in a bag?.......11 items......I looked at her and said in a very sarcastic tone....."No, I would like to scoop them up and fumble my way out to the car with them, Yes I would like a bag." I couldn't help it. The question has been asked one to many times.

Note to cashiers: Look, I know you are trying to do your parts to save the environment, conserve resources, whatever the reason for trying to cut corners on the bags, thats fine, but use the shred of common sense that got you the job as a cashier to begin with. If you are in doubt, I don't need to be asked the question, just open the bag and place the items in the bag. Its a courtesy. If I don't need a bag, I'll let you know. Hows that? When I have a paper with me, just put it in the bag with the friggin bread and keep scanning. You don't need to ask me. Its not like Im going to find the urge to read the paper while driving myself home in the car.

The milk, put it in the friggin bag. Do you have any idea how cold that handle can be on the hand after lugging it out to the car? Beside, if the carton leaks in my car, it better be in a bag so it doesn't ruin the upholstery.

Bottom line, bag the crap unless we tell you not too.