h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There seems to be an approximate hierarchy in British supermarkets that goes something like:-


Waitrose
Marks and Sparks
Sainsburys / Co-op
Morrisons
Asda / Tesco
Lidl
Aldi

(Obviously open to debate).

But now we re-use supermarket bags, how much social mobility is there between them up and down the scale before security deals with you for bringing an 'alien' bag in?

Is the bloody rivalry between M&S and Waitrose sufficient to prevent you taking one bag into the other?

Is reverse snobbery stopping you taking your Lidl bag into Sainsburys?

PP.

I have no idea. Need to ask the wife.

Would a generic bag with no lettering on it be an option?

We mostly now use semi-insulated bags from a Meat Market chain for everything. We don't have as many "chains" as the UK, but our 3 or 4 have no problem with it. Saves the clerk from separating the plastic and charging for each. (There is a cost for them)

I buy a 5p bag (Sainsbury's,Tesco or Co-op usually) then reuse it at every store until it wears out, then buy another.

I've not yet been challenged, but I can see it happening eventually.

We have ours delivered, apparently.

I have bags from all the various supermarkets and keep them in the car. I try to make sure when I go into, say, Sainsburys, I do so with a Tesco carrier bag in my handbag (I'm not terribly loyal).

I can't think of a single valid reason why they should try and stop you using bags from other supermarkets. If they started doing that I should imagine a good way to get more customers would be to NOT do that - I for one would choose to shop at the ones that leave my choice of bag to me.

Deb

~ ~ ~

why would you be challenged, Icy?
IMO you're better off going in with a bag from a different place so everyone is sure it's already paid for.
I use collapsible plastic boxes.

Its best to take a charity bag it will not catorigise you ald it confuses the prols

Never had a problem. If I use any branded bag, then I use either Sainsbury (who replace their 5p bag, like bag for life, so good value) or one of JLP, Sebo, RBGK or generic cloth bag, turned inside out.

Usually I just use a backpack.

As someone else posted, why should there be a problem with using another brand's bags? It probably balances out across the brands as, from my experience, those who use budget supermarkets do not tend to reuse those bags, while those who use top end suprrmarkets do.

This is based on my tending to use, in order of frequency, the following supermarkets:

Sainsbury (top-up)
Waitrose (main purchases)
Morrison's (main purchases when weather inclement)
Tesco (when commuting)
M&S (when at a station)

MMF

there ain't no carrier bags no more - we've a bunch of very very good, cotton 'bags for life' (some of the really early versions of bags for life), and they've lasted for years.... don't think we've had to resort to a plastic carrier bag now for at least two years as we always carry one of these, and use a 70 L rucksack on my back for a big shop

I've never had a problem taking a branded bag into another store - can't see that they could oblige you to pay for theirs instead.
Generally I take a fabric bag if I'm planning on shopping, but always have a plastic one in my handbag. Internet grocery charges a flat rate of 40 p for bags - which is cheaper than buying bin bags, also they're a good size.
I haven't yet had to buy a bag in a shop.

I'd be glad to see all shops, even the small ones, charging for bags.

the don't? they all seem to charge round here Oh... I think I've occasionally got a freeby bag from the offy at about 1 AM, but given the prices for the booze I think they charge for it elsewhere

I usually have an above average size backpack that carries all my normal stuff at the bottom: pens, water bottle, jacket, waterproof coat and trousers, spare socks, book for the ferry/train, possibly a magazine as well, change of clothes, spare bags for life etc, as well as lots of room for shopping, but for some reason when I put it on the scales next to the self-service checkouts, the system refuses to believe that the bag is empty of stuff from the supermarket, so I have to keep it on my back and only put my purchases in it after I've paid.

But I've never had problems using different branded bags. I usually shop in Co-Op and have a Co-Op bag for life (I get a 10% discount in there and agree with their ethical principles) or Tesco, as the clubcard point scheme can be used on passes to theme parks or ferry travel.

<BB<

Your average daily back-pack nearly sounds like a "Dr Sheldon Cooper" apocalypse survival kit.

I've never carried a back-pack, satchel or other such things. Keys, coins and comb in one pocket, wallet with ID and forms of 'money' in another pocket. If there is something important to attend, a simple briefcase for documents and such things.

But I do carry a pair of re-useable bags in my vehicle for spontaneous groceries

I don't carry too much with me anymore... injectible hydrocortisone, 10 MG hydrocortisone tablets, two types of eyedrops, melatonin, painkillers, condoms, perse, keys, moustache comb, hair comb, tissues, lipstick, lip balm, cuticle oil, some zip lock bags, and useually a neatly folded carrier bag, which is about as much as I can fit in my handbag... oh, and headphones, IPod, mobile phone, etc... and zip drive/pen drive, and beer bottle opener, and a nail file... I need a bigger handbag...

*wonders if he should mention his Sports Direct bag*

Hmmm, no that's total pond life

in which case I won't mention we have before gone into Waitrose, to get some grocerys, whilst carrying a pound shop bag