The green thing: Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the...

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older patron looked at the young cashier and said, "You are right, our generation didn't have the green thing in its' day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorably besides household garbage bags that did not take years to decay in the local land fill, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school), was not defaced by our scribbling's. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, again, we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-hp machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, you are right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts...wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, then, again, young lady...you are right; we didn't have the green thing back in my day.

Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house...not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower than ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. Again, we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hr. taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room...not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But, isn't it sad we didn't have the green thing back then?"

Unclet Loc: Amarillo, Tx

slatten49 wrote:

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older patron looked at the young cashier and said, "You are right, our generation didn't have the green thing in its' day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorably besides household garbage bags that did not take years to decay in the local land fill, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school), was not defaced by our scribbling's. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, again, we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-hp machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, you are right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts...wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, then, again, young lady...you are right; we didn't have the green thing back in my day.

Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house...not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower than ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. Again, we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hr. taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room...not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But, isn't it sad we didn't have the green thing back then?"

Checking out at the store, the young cashier sugge... (show quote)

Amen - didn't have it, didn't need it.

Loki Loc: Georgia

slatten49 wrote:

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older patron looked at the young cashier and said, "You are right, our generation didn't have the green thing in its' day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorably besides household garbage bags that did not take years to decay in the local land fill, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school), was not defaced by our scribbling's. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, again, we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-hp machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, you are right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts...wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, then, again, young lady...you are right; we didn't have the green thing back in my day.

Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house...not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower than ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. Again, we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hr. taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room...not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But, isn't it sad we didn't have the green thing back then?"

Checking out at the store, the young cashier sugge... (show quote)

My grandkids STILL don't believe our TV only got one channel, (ABC ), We only had one TV, and it was a little black and white.
We only had one vehicle. My parents wouldn't sign for my driver's license until I got an after school job and saved up enough money for the extra insurance. I had no car until I saved up enough money for a downpayment on an el cheapo used job.

They co-signed the loan, I made the payments. I didn't even own a TV until 1982. Once again, when you can only get one or two channels, why bother?

Loki Loc: Georgia

slatten49 wrote:

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older patron looked at the young cashier and said, "You are right, our generation didn't have the green thing in its' day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorably besides household garbage bags that did not take years to decay in the local land fill, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school), was not defaced by our scribbling's. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, again, we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-hp machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, you are right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts...wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, then, again, young lady...you are right; we didn't have the green thing back in my day.

Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house...not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower than ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. Again, we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hr. taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room...not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But, isn't it sad we didn't have the green thing back then?"

Checking out at the store, the young cashier sugge... (show quote)

My grandkids STILL don't believe our TV only got one channel, (ABC ), We only had one TV, and it was a little black and white.
We only had one vehicle. My parents wouldn't sign for my driver's license until I got an after school job and saved up enough money for the extra insurance. I had no car until I saved up enough money for a downpayment on an el cheapo used job. They co-signed the loan, I made the payments.

I didn't even own a TV until 1982. Once again, when you can only get one or two channels, why bother?

grace scott

slatten49 wrote:

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older patron looked at the young cashier and said, "You are right, our generation didn't have the green thing in its' day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorably besides household garbage bags that did not take years to decay in the local land fill, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school), was not defaced by our scribbling's. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, again, we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-hp machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, you are right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts...wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, then, again, young lady...you are right; we didn't have the green thing back in my day.

Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house...not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower than ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. Again, we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hr. taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room...not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But, isn't it sad we didn't have the green thing back then?"

Checking out at the store, the young cashier sugge... (show quote)

Those really were the good old days.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Loki wrote:

My grandkids STILL don't believe our TV only got o... (show quote)

I was out of high school before we got a TV and it had an 8 inch screen. Swmbo and I were married for about 8 years before we bought a tv and that one was black and white. We don't have a TV now, haven't had one for 15 years, and don't miss it at all. Our last van was 21 years old when we sold it, and the one we have now is 12 years old and we still consider it "new" We do have a riding lawn mower for the three acres that are mowable. The rest is woods. Our neighbors have fifteen lawn mowers, they weigh fifty pounds each, have four legs and long curled horns, they are goats, they eat weeds and fertilize at the same time. Life is simple and we like it that way.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

no propaganda please wrote:

I was out of high school before we got a TV and it... (show quote)

Haha! Many people wouldn't believe that we wrote letters, to communicate with people out of State. They also wouldn't believe that we actually went to people's houses and talked to them, when we wanted to know something about them. We also went to a library and looked at a book, when we wanted to know something else.

My family had one car and the whole neighborhood would climb in for a ride to town. We thought folks were rich, who had more than one vehicle. Nowadays, 16 year old kids get their OWN car.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

grace scott wrote:

Those really were the good old days.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Alicia Loc: NYC

slatten49 wrote:

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that the she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today, your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

The older patron looked at the young cashier and said, "You are right, our generation didn't have the green thing in its' day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorably besides household garbage bags that did not take years to decay in the local land fill, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school), was not defaced by our scribbling's. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, again, we didn't do the green thing back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-hp machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, you are right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts...wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, then, again, young lady...you are right; we didn't have the green thing back in my day.

Back then, we had one TV or radio in the house...not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower than ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. Again, we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hr. taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room...not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But, isn't it sad we didn't have the green thing back then?"

Checking out at the store, the young cashier sugge... (show quote)

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FABULOUS! ! ! Thanks Slatten. :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup: :D :thumbup:
Best post in months! ! !

Eckasha13 Loc: New York

Beautiful!!

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

When I was growing up, my parents believed in a healthy mind and a healthy body. We had a TV but we were not allowed to watch for long period of time. My mother strongly believed TV rots the brain.

I live in the house my Grandmother left to me in her will. It is over 100 years old now. I drive a car that is 17 years old but is very dependable. I walk more than I ride. I write letters esp. thank you cards to people.

I do not need the latest new gadget. I try to live simply. It is easier for me. I have always felt the accumulation of things meant my things own me.

Alicia Loc: NYC

She Wolf wrote:

When I was growing up, my parents believed in a he... (show quote)

***************
Your mother was correct. TV does rot the brain as it keeps people from reading. I'd been thinking of getting a TV but, when one looks into the available programming, it certainly is not worth the price asked for cable and, I've been told that they don't even offer a guide anymore.

I also own a 1993 car but I prefer to ride my tricycle. The basket in the back allows me to do all my shopping and it's more fun. When cycling, people often smile and wave instead of the middle finger wave.

When it comes to gadgets, I definitely enjoy those in my kitchen and prefer not to do without. Of course, it's just the basic ones - vacuum cleaner, food processor (for making nut butters), toaster, etc. I still do my cake mixing and whipping cream by hand. I don't really need much and like it that way. :D :D :D

Zeno Loc: Omaha NE

Dear Slatten49:You hit a home run with your solidly t***hful(and nostalgic)anecdote about the green years.In my golden years of youth,my bother and I spent much time gathering empty pop bottles and redeeming them for cash at the grocery store.We had probably never heard of the word "recycling";we did it purely to put a buck or two in our pockets.
Mom used newspapers for a multitude of things,from cushioning fragile bric-a-brac when we were moving,to lining the bottom of shelves.We also found the daily paper enjoyable to read.
We washed and dried the dishes by hand.This neccesary chore is also a good time to socialize.
In all,we lived simply but happily in those bygone days,never dreaming of the many technological wonders that would rush upon us in the near future.
And you can bet your bloomers that we recycled and had respect for nature.
We just weren't as outspoken or shrill as many Go Green people are today. Zeno

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Zeno wrote:

Dear Slatten49:You hit a home run with your solidl... (show quote)

Thank you. Sounds like your youth was much like mine...golden! :thumbup:

Loki Loc: Georgia

Alicia wrote:

*************** br Your mother was correct. TV do... (show quote)

Gotta have my electric coffee mill. I'm spoiled. Grind 'em as you use 'em. You'll wonder how you ever thought you'd had good coffee before.