Paper Bags

Yesterday, at the supermarket, my dad and I had something peculiar happen to us that hasn't ever happened before, which was get paper bags when we checked our goods out.  It's not the biggest thing in life to take notice of, but my whole life, we've either only gotten plastic bags, or boxes if we had to get anything paper related.  Maybe the paper bags were a cheaper option, but besides that, I can't think of any good reason why they'd have that.  The paper bags feel smaller, and they don't have handles, which makes them more susceptible to tear if you have too many things.  Not to mention, with all the recent attention paid to the environment, they're just not economical, so while I think the supermarket didn't mean to, they really caught me off guard with their use of paper bags.  I see that they're there, but I can't see a reason why people prefer them over plastic.

When it comes to that choice, just say no.

Building #19

Weeks ago, my parents and I went on a trip to a place I haven't been in ages, Building #19.  If you've never heard of it, it's because they're only around the New England area.  But even if you do live in the area, you still might not have ever heard of them.  They're known for selling eclectic, unusual merchandise, and all their stores being different, but the truest way to describe Building #19 is to put it bluntly, junk!  And I feel bad saying that, but going back there, I was disgusted with what I saw. 

The place was disorganized, the people working there looked miserable, and the merchandise was shoddy.  I know some of that is to be expected since Building #19 is basically a large discount or thrift store, and they buy things that are discontinued, damaged, etc, but I still expect more than what I saw.  It's one thing to sell things cheap to customers, but to sell stuff that isn't good quality seems like bad business and bad politics.  How does that help anyone at all?

In the end though, I don't want it to seem like I'm bashing Building #19.  They're a business like any other, trying to help people who don't have as much, which I understand.  I just wish the place was kept in better shape, or had a facelift, or something.  Something to get it to this century.  I used to love going to Building #19 as a child and shopping there, but now I'm hesitant stepping in another one.  Of course, despite how I feel, I'm still glad there's some place helping people, even if the merchandise isn't perfect, because it's better to have something than nothing.