East Dulwich residents are generally really good at minimising use of plastic/carrier bags - most of us take a bag with us on a planned shopping trip and local shops generally only give out a bag if you ask for one/really need one. Can we all however hand on heart say that we carry a hessian shopping bag with us at all times, whether we are planning on going shopping or not? I popped into Green and Blue on the way home from work the other night and bought 2 bottles of wine. It was not a planned trip and I had no bag, other than my handbag and my laptop bag, and was obviously laden. I paid and asked for a bag and was told that they do not give out carrier bags. I was quite surprised since they are selling heavy, breakable objects, and wine is often a spontaneous not a planned purchase. I was offered a box instead, but was told it was not a carrier box, but an actual box I would have to carry in both arms. This was not suitable. I was then told I could buy one of their hessian bags. This did not seem acceptable to me since I had already spent ?40 on the wine and have several hessian bags at home for planned shopping trips. After an uncomforatble trip home an email to the manager provoked a response noting that not carrying a bag at all times is lazy and forgetful! Well that told me. Perhaps I am the only person in East Dulwich who does not have a hessian bag on me at all times, whether I am intending to go shopping or not, but I don't think so. I have heard people say Green and Blue are "up themselves" before, but this was the first time I had experienced it first time. I am fully in favour of reducing carrier bag usage, but in the real world can any of us say that we never ever use them? CAn shops not have emergency second hand carrier bags to give out when really necessary, or recycled paper bags or something? I hope the manager of G&B does not fly anywhere or drive a car.......