<p>Some of her friends ridicule it as her ‘designer bag’. Not that it deters her. </p>.<p>Being a bit of an environmentalist (‘in my own small way’ she would say, self-deprecatingly, though it was a laudable effort), Priya avoided the use of plastic bags as far as possible. She carries a cloth bag to put in her purchases. Some of her friends ridicule it as her ‘designer bag’. Not that it deters her. For one thing, the cloth bag, being cotton, is easily washable. For another, it can be folded and put into her hand bag. And it doesn’t make a crackling noise!<br /><br />The other day, she had gone to the local dairy booth to buy some milk products. The assistant asked her if she wanted a bag (plastic, of course!). Before she could answer, the owner replied, “No, no. She usually brings her own bag.” The approving words were accompanied by an equally approving smile. Priya was pleased as punch. Someone had noticed her effort and appreciated it. It was such a shot in the arm that it strengthened her resolve to continue to do her bit.<br /><br />Everybody slips up some time or the other. Priya was caught unawares when she did some impulsive shopping. When the person at the pay counter was about to put the things she had bought into a plastic carry bag, she prevented him from doing so. She delved into her hand bag for the folded old faithful ( the ‘designer bag’ to be precise). Much to her dismay, it wasn’t there! Over the weekend, she had changed her hand bag. Whenever she happened to do this, she would feel disoriented. It was now apparent that she could feel embarrassed as well. Rather sheepishly, she was forced to request for a plastic carry bag. There was an ‘ah-I-caught-you’ smirk on the shop assistant’s face as he handed it to her with exaggerated courtesy. Priya chose to ignore it.<br /><br />She needed to salvage her reputation as a shunner of plastic bags. When she reached home, she emptied the contents of the plastic bag. With great care, she ironed out the creases , folded it neatly and tucked it into her hand bag. At the first opportunity, she returned to the shop. She bought a few household items, paid up, collected her things and dropped them into her serviceable bag, under the interested eye of the shop assistant. Then she removed the plastic bag from her hand bag and returned it to him saying, “Here is the carry bag you gave me on my last visit.” He smiled in surprise. “I wish there were more people like you,” he said, genuinely impressed. Priya felt good about her pride being restored. Needless to say, the cheering compliment made her day! </p>
<p>Some of her friends ridicule it as her ‘designer bag’. Not that it deters her. </p>.<p>Being a bit of an environmentalist (‘in my own small way’ she would say, self-deprecatingly, though it was a laudable effort), Priya avoided the use of plastic bags as far as possible. She carries a cloth bag to put in her purchases. Some of her friends ridicule it as her ‘designer bag’. Not that it deters her. For one thing, the cloth bag, being cotton, is easily washable. For another, it can be folded and put into her hand bag. And it doesn’t make a crackling noise!<br /><br />The other day, she had gone to the local dairy booth to buy some milk products. The assistant asked her if she wanted a bag (plastic, of course!). Before she could answer, the owner replied, “No, no. She usually brings her own bag.” The approving words were accompanied by an equally approving smile. Priya was pleased as punch. Someone had noticed her effort and appreciated it. It was such a shot in the arm that it strengthened her resolve to continue to do her bit.<br /><br />Everybody slips up some time or the other. Priya was caught unawares when she did some impulsive shopping. When the person at the pay counter was about to put the things she had bought into a plastic carry bag, she prevented him from doing so. She delved into her hand bag for the folded old faithful ( the ‘designer bag’ to be precise). Much to her dismay, it wasn’t there! Over the weekend, she had changed her hand bag. Whenever she happened to do this, she would feel disoriented. It was now apparent that she could feel embarrassed as well. Rather sheepishly, she was forced to request for a plastic carry bag. There was an ‘ah-I-caught-you’ smirk on the shop assistant’s face as he handed it to her with exaggerated courtesy. Priya chose to ignore it.<br /><br />She needed to salvage her reputation as a shunner of plastic bags. When she reached home, she emptied the contents of the plastic bag. With great care, she ironed out the creases , folded it neatly and tucked it into her hand bag. At the first opportunity, she returned to the shop. She bought a few household items, paid up, collected her things and dropped them into her serviceable bag, under the interested eye of the shop assistant. Then she removed the plastic bag from her hand bag and returned it to him saying, “Here is the carry bag you gave me on my last visit.” He smiled in surprise. “I wish there were more people like you,” he said, genuinely impressed. Priya felt good about her pride being restored. Needless to say, the cheering compliment made her day! </p>
