Wine in Paper

LIAM LIKES WINE IN  PAPER

I don't understand why wine purchases are bagged in plastic, you know, the ubiquitous black with gold stripes. Liquor purchases such as vodka are placed in paper bags. I am sure there is a reason for this.  I googled "why is wine placed in plastic bags?" and was offered a multitude of ways to purchase thousands of  plastic wine carriers at wholesale as well as a surprisingly creative selection of plastic wine holders for private events. I now know I can order online and add to the plastic bag universe; ironic when what I am seeking is to stop increasing the universe. When did the proliferation of plastic bags begin? Did it happen right in 1967 with the release of the movie The Graduate?  Plastics. One word spoken to Dustin Hoffman inhabiting the character of Ben. A prescient promise of a successful future delivered in one word. See clip following.  Plastics. Plastic in the form of bags. Untouched they hang on forever. Let's leave the zip locks out of this. I am nuts for them. My current target is only plastic wine bags...they are not an appropriate shape for anything but a bottle and who would want to reuse them for anything, even too narrow for a Liam poop bag. I am nursing a dislike of these bags.This negativity affects my otherwise exuberant feeling when perusing the wine aisles in my local wine and liquor store. I've come to dread the plastic bag pulling from under the counter. One day I decide to ask for paper for my wine purchase. I have 4 bottles on the counter which require two plastic bags. I estimate the four will fit into one paper bag. I ask for a paper bag. Well, what a reaction! Disbelief. The stunned expression from behind the counter releases an immediate passionate defensive explanation from me as to why I want paper and not plastic.

MOM, PLASTIC WINE BAG, REALLY?

I hear myself preaching about saving the environment and doing our part for the earth. Buzz words green and "giving back" tumble out. Yes, I said that...giving back? really? Oh my! I did not mention global warming or world peace but I was close. Got my wine in paper and the little cardboard dividers were included -an extra for paper bags. This is going to be a struggle. Paper.

Week 2  This week there are two cashiers. A bagger and a credit card taker. Oh great, reinforcements have been called in for the "wine bag woman."  The plastic bags are pulled out as my credit card slides through the machine. The transaction is in progress as I protest. "Wait! Sorry may I have paper?" I don't give a speech. Plastic put away reluctantly. Paper.

LIAM SMILES AT OUR HIGHLY RATED WINE

Week 3   Hopefully I will get the same person.  I do and he calls over his two colleagues. They must have conferred about me. I am sort of an amusement. I do have the power. I am the customer. I am a regular and my purchases are Wine Spectator worthy (my selections are 90 pointers, at least that is what the little sign underneath says)  I get the paper bag, no pleading necessary. Paper.

Week 4  I wave my bag as I enter.  I have decided to save the bags in my trunk for reuse. I have both size 12s and size 20s. See the bags on the right of the carrier. BTW I received praise at the car wash for having a neat trunk I come in armed with a bag and wave it like a flag. All salespersons are watching. Must have been a staff meeting. I am buying 4 bottles. Five employees are at the counter and must have been called out to witness the purchase. This must be a "live" training session. My Leo self preens at the attention. The staff annoyance and wariness have changed. Smiles...acceptance and maybe grudging participation?

Stages of Paper

disbelief

resistance

conference

acceptance

participation

Several weeks later our relationship shifts when my salesman suggests we switch from size 20 bag to size 12. Is he kidding?  He has moved from plastics to paper and now has a preferred size we should use?  Now I am the person who must adjust. He proudly demonstrates how he can fit all four bottles in the size12 bag, inserting the cardboard divider as a last flourish. A snug safe fit. Next photo shows size 20 on the left and size 12 on the right.I guess using the smaller #12  must be advantageous to the store in some way. It is a win/win because the smaller bundle with less play in the bag is easier for me to get to the car. I think we now have a partnership. The next customer in line is fascinated by this exchange. He has a bottle of vodka which merits a paper bag. I look and decide it is a #12 bag, one of mine. Is there an #8? Not sure. He says "I see you are getting your wine in a bag. I am drinking vodka. Mine goes in a bag also." I start to explain why my wine is in a bag and he interrupts "I am 60. Probably wine would keep me alive longer, but I figure I do not have that much time, maybe I'll live to 70, so I'll continue with vodka." I say "try wine and surely you will live past 70 and they say it is good for your health and ..." He is bagged and on his way out and not listening...My partners are all nodding conspiratorially. Paper. We are a team.

I hope having my wine in a paper bag helps longevity. I am older than my vodka buddy. Maybe it is only the paper...I suppose when the 12s wear out I can bring back the 20s but my salesman will not be pleased. He likes the tight fit of the #12.

MY MOM HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT, NO PLASTICS

 Cheers!
Woof, Woof

*Update My wine store began carrying reusable wine bags the beginning of August, 2013.  We are all very pleased with this outcome