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 handkerchief, 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?"

Big dog

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 handkerchief, 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)

👍👍

FallenOak Loc: St George Utah

Thank you for pointing out that we actually did more to practice 'the green thing' than all of those growing up today do. I have thought of more but your are sufficient. Thanks again.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

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 handkerchief, 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)

Well said

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

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 handkerchief, 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)

TexaCan Loc: Homeward Bound!

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 handkerchief, 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)

How bout that! Those really were the Good Ol’ Days!

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

TexaCan wrote:

How bout that! Those really were the Good Ol’ Days!

Yep

And, for the most part, long ago.

Rose42

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 handkerchief, 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)

Great post! That doesn’t seem so long ago.

EN Submarine Qualified Loc: Wisconsin East coast

Rose42 wrote:

Great post! That doesn’t seem so long ago.

I could go for hours about this subject. kerosene lamp anyone? My first 4 years in elementary school were without electricity or running water or bathrooms in the house. All studying was done before dark. When it got dark, it was bedtime. zero lights in the house since the kerosene lamp was a fire hazard.
We never got a chance to worry about plastic or paper since everything we ate was raised on the farm. Wheat and corn were bartered for flour and cornmeal. There was a battery powered radio in the house. We kids couldn't touch it since it was for news and "One Man's Family" on Sunday afternoon.

Wonttakeitanymore

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 handkerchief, 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)

Excellent! Looks like we didn’t wreak the environment!