Bag-less Lady.

Locals are aware that Seattle has banned the use of plastic bags.  Grocery stores encourage the use of re-usable bags, and charge a five cent fee for the provision of a paper one.  This is a minor inconvenience, mostly we mourn the loss of free liners for our small wastebaskets (that's recycling, right?).  And it's not surprising, given that even before this was put into practice I felt judgement poor from the eyes of fellow Trader Joe's shoppers when I forgot to bring my re-usable bags.  But today I discovered a new development in this "no-bag" city of ours.  While retail stores are still permitted to provide their customers with a tote in which to carry  their purchases, one store is breaking the mold.  The irony just kills me. 

Today, as I stood in line at Victoria's Secret I overheard the sales associate ask a customer if she would like a bag for five cents.  What?  Surely I had misunderstood.  I was next in line.  I handed my item of choice to the girl behind the counter and she rang up the purchase.  She then proceeded to wrap the item in no less than four sheets of tissue paper, after which she handed the awkward bundle to me.  I couldn't help but chuckle.  Luckily I was toting a large purse.  

"Why aren't you using small bags any more?"
"It's some law in Seattle, something about recycling."

Apparently discretion went out the window with plastic bags. 

What's that?  You don't want everyone to see your new delicates?  That push-up bra won't fit in your wristlet?  That'll be five cents please.