So I work in a music shop. So I have to do the whole 'Would you like a bag with that?' thing. Some people say no these days, which we should definitely be congratulating them on.

Some people say yes as though they are affronted that I even asked the question. They are entitled to a bag. How dare I try to trick them out of their bag!

Some people act as though they're doing me a favour by taking a bag. 'Bit of free advertised for you', they say. Now, there are two problems with this. Firstly, I don't actually care about how much profit the shop makes. I don't get commision. Secondly, very few people walk down the street reading people's carrier bags.

Some people make excuses. Sometimes it's just a quick 'because I forgot my shopping bag', but I've heard some really quite elaborate tales:
'Well...um...yes I would like a bag, actually. I don't normally take them but when I was going out this morning I accidentally dropped my shopping bag in a puddle, and I was in such a screaming rush that I just didn't have the time to go in and get another one, but I promise I'll reuse the one you give me as often as I can...'

While it's good to see the environmental message getting through, it seems rather odd that I can cause so much guilt through the distribution of thin sheets of plastic.