# Rude woman at the grocery store **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 25, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022 "2011-11-25T04:12:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/41 "2011-11-26T17:41:50Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Even if you don’t repurpose all of your poly bags, is still takes more than three hundred uses of a reusable cotton or heavy plastic before you start to see an advantage, and they don’t have that long of a service life. > > Besides which, they quickly become fairly filthy. Happily, my wife has relaxed on that point and understands the absurdity of it. I have canvas shopping bags that are around thirty years old, many times washed, several-times mended (I also have a whole lot of newer ones). When they finally become unusable they can go into my compost. But they look ready for another thousand more uses before then. Plastic bags have a few undeniable uses that cannot be duplicated by biodegradable substitutes, but they are few. It is not absurd in the slightest way to look for ways to divorce ourselves from the unsustainable practices that are poisoning our planet. Limiting plastic bag use is very far from the most effective thing we can do as consumers (limiting your consumption of industrial-farmed meat and big fat cars would go a lot farther), but it is not nothing. As for the OP, I have found that in most cases of rudeness, disarming friendliness and a little self-deprecation goes a lot farther than one-upmanship, and reduces the possibility of escalating emotions, frightening behavior, and/or the mere total ruin of a day. Revenge may be temporarily satisfying but empathy, even the tiniest trickle of it, actually improves the world. The judging without all the facts has to stop somewhere. Okay, it doesn’t, but it would be nice if it did. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/42 "2011-11-26T22:16:03Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I actually have a knitting pattern to knit a reusable bag out of the poly bags you get at the store. > > The resulting bag is damn near indestructible. That’s pretty cool! Anyway, the store makes money off the bags, at a nickel apiece, so it’s not like they’re promoting anything exept their own profits. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/43 "2011-11-26T23:47:03Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Plastic bags have a few undeniable uses that cannot be duplicated by biodegradable substitutes, but they are few. It is not absurd in the slightest way to look for ways to divorce ourselves from the unsustainable practices that are poisoning our planet. This is another of those areas where people sometimes choose the wrong option based on initial appearances. Biodegradable plastic bags actually have more of a [negative impact on the environment](http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2009/jun/18/greenwash-biodegradeable-plastic-bags) that regular polyethylene bags in their manufacture, and offer very little in the way of advantage over poly bags in terms of benefit in regular use. (Link is specific to oxo- and photo-degradeable bags, but the less popular starch-based bags have most of the same problems in that they require more energy to produce and in general use offer no advantage over poly-bags.) ---
**Author:** ![hazynlazy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@hazynlazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazynlazy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/44 "2011-11-27T01:23:27Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Where do you live- Pretentious Place? Uppity City? Snob Knob? Toronto (downtown). > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Creepy. But…if I didn’t stick around, we wouldn’t have the wonderfully satisfying ending of her hypocrisy. 😉 > [@shantih](#): > > I think the OP handled it perfectly. Ignoring the first sniff of disdain was just fine, and when she escalated the encounter to address a complete stranger and lecture you on What You Should Do, cutting her off at the knees by reminding her than there’s more than one way to do the environment a solid – especially when it turned out that she wasn’t living up to her high principles in that way – was exactly right. If she has any self-awareness at all, she probably felt quite uncomfortable as she drove off in her Jeep. She may even think twice before instructing the next complete strangers on how they should lead their lives. This was exactly my intent. I’m glad you got what I was going for. While my retort of “I walked here” may seem a bit out of place to some when reading the encounter, believe me when I say she knew what I meant. > [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > I like plastic bags. I take them home and use them for all sorts of things. I line the small trashcan in the bathroom with them. I use them to SORT OUR RECYCLABLES AND TAKE THEM IN FOR REDEMPTION. I use them to pack my lunch in. I use them to pick up doggie poo for disposal. I like plastic bags too. I actually meant to mention this in my OP. About 1/3rd of my shopping is done while I’m already out of the house and I purchase plastic bags at those time, which works well to provide me with sufficient bags. I use them for many of the same uses as you (garbage/lunches). If I don’t remember to bring reusable bags when coming from home (the majority of my shopping), I find I’m overflowing in bags. There’s only so many plastic bags I can use, and they can pile up fast! > [@Maastricht](#): > > A hundred years ago, that woman would have snorted at your immorality in your skirt being an inch too short. Sixty years ago, it would have been you not buying American whatever to support the US economy. Fourty years ago it would have been your hair being an inch too long. Thirty years ago, it would have been you not using the politically correct term that was in fashion at the time. Ten years ago it would have been about you smoking or being smoking intolerant. Now it is the environment. This is my favourite response in the thread. QFT. > [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > The ironic thing is that despite common perception, poly bags actually have _less_ impact on the environment than any other alternative, by nearly every metric. I always wondered about this. Do you (or anyone else) have a cite or link for further reading? > [@Rigamarole](#): > > The correct response here is “noted”. > > And if I read that correctly, she was _also_ getting plastic bags? Talk about chutzpah! If she had initiated the interaction in a respectful manner, I would have responded that I do bring reusable bags when coming from home, as I ‘noted’ in the OP. When she came at me in an inconsiderate manner, I chose a different approach. I certainly could have been a lot less civil. And to your second comment, no, you either misread me or I was not clear in my post. She did not buy plastic bags. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/45 "2011-11-27T01:28:55Z")
> [@hazynlazy](#): > > If she had initiated the interaction in a respectful manner, I would have responded that I do bring reusable bags when coming from home, as I ‘noted’ in the OP. When she came at me in an inconsiderate manner, I chose a different approach. I certainly could have been a lot less civil. > > And to your second comment, no, you either misread me or I was not clear in my post. She did not buy plastic bags. Oh OK, I though the “I should note…” part was something that _she_ said. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/46 "2011-11-27T02:30:47Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Where do you live- Pretentious Place? Uppity City? Snob Knob? > [@hazynlazy](#): > > Toronto (downtown). That’s your problem right there. If you lived in the southern United States you’d know the proper way to deal with unwanted advice is to say in the sweetest possible voice, “Well bless your heart!” If you can do this while using the same stare Superman uses while melting steel, even better. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/47 "2011-11-27T02:45:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by\*\* Alice The Goon \*\* > Where do you live- Pretentious Place? Uppity City? Snob Knob? > [@hazynlazy](#): > > Toronto (downtown). Ah, so that’s a “yes” then. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/48 "2011-11-27T04:44:46Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > This is another of those areas where people sometimes choose the wrong option based on initial appearances. > > Biodegradable plastic bags actually have more of a [negative impact on the environment](http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2009/jun/18/greenwash-biodegradeable-plastic-bags) that regular polyethylene bags in their manufacture, and offer very little in the way of advantage over poly bags in terms of benefit in regular use. > > (Link is specific to oxo- and photo-degradeable bags, but the less popular starch-based bags have most of the same problems in that they require more energy to produce and in general use offer no advantage over poly-bags.) The problem with the garbage here is _volume_. If only a percentage do break down that is something. I use just enough bags to contain my trash, which still needs to go somewhere. If I didn’t use supermarket bags I would have to buy them all anyway. The best I’ve come up with is: a) Use a minimum of plastic bags and b) not buying pre-packaged whenever possible (our supermarket allows people to grab one loose pepper, if they so wish, which goes straight to my reusable bag, so minimal packing waste. Unfortunately we still need extra packing for meat, cheese, and pretty much everything but produce. That for me seems to be a bigger problem than bags. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/49 "2011-11-27T04:52:29Z")
And thanks **Larry** for sharing the article. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/50 "2011-11-27T05:14:08Z")
I have gotten a few raised eyebrows when I just lay down NAKED veggies/fruits on the conveyor belt THAT ARE NOT IN PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS…but I always think hell, I’m gonna wash 'em when I get home anyway, so why do I need to use the bag? Which will go in ANOTHER bag anyway? i will admit I’m not the most eco-conscious consumer but I do try to utilize common sense and minimize waste. I think the woman in the OP is the type of person who has a job where she is belittled to the point that, rather than resolve to avoid being that type of person, becomes what she hates in order to feel a semblance of power/authority/bitchiness/you name it. Such people apparently drive Jeeps. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/51 "2011-11-27T12:48:56Z")
> [@hazynlazy](#): > > “You know you really shouldn’t use plastic bags.” > [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](#): > > “but it’s so much harder to suffocate busybodies with those reusable bags, isn’t it?” Also: 1. “Yeah, but you’re enough reuseable bag for the both of us.” 2. “Yeah, takes FOREVER for them to decompose. Just Like You.” 3. “You shouldn’t use The GAP. We’ll call it even.” 4. “Twinkies, Ho-hos & twizzlers and you’ve got the nerve to bitch to me in the Check Out?” 5. “What? Are you the bag-boy’s Mom?” 6. “Bitch Check, register 5…” 7. “Sorry, this is the “10 Biddies or Less” line. Get Out.” 8. “In your case, Society is grateful for Any Condom You Choose.” 9. “Yeah, the old flesh ones are so f-cking annoying.” and my number 1 answer: 1. “Lady, thats not the ONLY reason your husband prefers paper.” ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/52 "2011-11-27T13:07:48Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > A hundred years ago, that woman would have snorted at your immorality in your skirt being an inch too short. Sixty years ago, it would have been you not buying American whatever to support the US economy. Fourty years ago it would have been your hair being an inch too long. Thirty years ago, it would have been you not using the politically correct term that was in fashion at the time. Ten years ago it would have been about you smoking or being smoking intolerant. Jeez, how old IS this bitch? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/53 "2011-11-27T14:21:23Z")
> [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > I have gotten a few raised eyebrows when I just lay down NAKED veggies/fruits on the conveyor belt THAT ARE NOT IN PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS There’s your problem right there. I always bring tiny robes to cover my peppers, onions and cucumbers while we go through the supermarket. Have some decorum. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/54 "2011-11-27T14:35:17Z")
I cover my banannas in “repurposed” condoms. Safe shopping all the way baby. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/55 "2011-11-27T15:27:20Z")
Can you ask for a paper bag? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/56 "2011-11-27T15:28:43Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Can you ask for paper bag? How is papper bag formed? ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/57 "2011-11-27T16:48:05Z")
> [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > I have gotten a few raised eyebrows when I just lay down NAKED … on the conveyor belt :eek: > [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > I have gotten a few raised eyebrows when I just lay down NAKED veggies/fruits on the conveyor belt THAT ARE NOT IN PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS… Oh. phew. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/58 "2011-11-27T18:06:06Z")
> [@hazynlazy](#): > > So I was at the grocery store yesterday. As I was checking out, the cashier asked if I would like any bags, and I answered two. This prompted the woman behind me in line to snort in contempt. “Got a nasal obstruction problem, honeybunch?” Here in Death-To-The-Planetsville, we not only get “free” plastic bags at the supermarket, they will often double-bag for heavier items. This is fabulous, as we have built up a stockpile of bags for handy poop-hauling when we take Patience the Labrador out for walks. I suppose we could carry reusable canvas bags to pick up after our beast, but they might reek after a time. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/59 "2011-11-28T00:34:58Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > You provided her the opportunity to feel superior, she should be thanking you! > > Then you seized an opportunity to feel superior to her, you should be thanking her! > > Seems like a wash to me. > > I’ve always believed that there is a direct relationship between how judged you feel, by others, and how judgmental you are, _of_ others. Dude, your entire post serves only the purpose of judging the OP. You clearly just said the OP is so horribly judgmental that he believed he was being judged. So enlighten us: how would a nonjudgmental person such as yourself interpret her remarks? And are you seriously of the idea that responding back to someone being mean to you and getting them to shut up is a bad thing? Are you really saying that standing up for yourself is just as bad as bullying someone? Because that’s all this stuff\* is–the adult form of bullying. \*The lady’s comments, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022/60 "2011-11-28T01:33:30Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Can you ask for a paper bag? > [@runner pat](#): > > How is papper bag formed? A thousand pardons but I don’t understand your question. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rude-woman-at-the-grocery-store/604022.md?page=4)