The "5p a bag" look

   How do you start a blog post? Especially if you've always been the worst at writing academic essays for school (university). I guess the essence of a successful post is in the structure? Well I say fuck it. (Yes, we have a bad ass over here.). I like writing, the basic way of writing where you just sit down and materialise your thoughts onto paper (kind of!).

   So that should be good enough for an introduction to my post.

   Working in retail is shit. Working in a shop that is part of a big company name is even worse. Now imagine working during Christmas time.... I am not even going to mention Black Friday. Black Friday should have its own post dedicated to how much I hate customers and capitalism. PEOPLE, just because you save 20 quid on something does not change the fact that you've just spent £200 already!

   Anyway. So, working in retail especially after Scotland has adopted the "5p a bag" policy has been a very peculiar experience. I usually think that every change in retail is about MAKING money, however this "5p a bag" policy has surprised me and the outcome of it has further puzzled me. For once we have a change that is not about companies making profit; it is about US, people and customers, making a positive change?

   I am surprised that charging for a bag actually has an impact on shoppers' behaviour as well as a slight positive change on our environment? I mean, we all know how long plastic takes to degrade (like forever!). And even if the plastic degrades the little parts that is made of do not disappear and, bad for us, they are poisonous! So you can see why I am surprise. Government and companies are helping, in a way, to make a positive change???

   I am, however, puzzled by the customers' reactions. Especially their look when I ask if they wanted a bag and that it will cost them 5p (even thought they've bought something small enough to be put in their pocket or handbag). The look is very specific. Corner of the lip goes up, eyes look up, SIGH- and you only get that look if you are lucky! Sometimes you will get a look of anger and hatred like I will be putting the 5p in my own pocket and I am doing that just to ruin their day. What people don't realise is that "5p a bag" policy actually makes people re-use the perfectly fine bags they already have at home! I personally had 2 drawers of Tesco bags, which I've only used once. Is it too complicated to remember to pick a bag before leaving the house to go shopping? Well if you do forget then the charge will be 5p.!

 

   IN CONCLUSION, I fully support this "5p a bag" charge and people should always carry a bag with them if they go shopping. We have been spoilt and look where that led us to. Pretty fucked environment and endangered wildlife (But oh yeah, its alright because we don't see the consequences right in front of our eyes so its OK not to think about what has happened to the 500 plastic bags and bottles I alone used last year!).
   I just really hope our government collects those 5p a bag and puts them into ways of cleaning the mess we've already made. Come on people, its time to AT LEAST think about maybe taking responsibility for our mess. Wouldn't go as far as actually taking responsibility, don't worry, but please please at least think about it. And next time, before you leave the house, take a bag. :)