Do you say paper or plastic when checking out at the grocery store?

I don’t say either; I hand them my reusable bags. I used to say plastic because the paper bags were so thin they would invariably rip apart.

I have started using reusable sacks. In the past I would use plastic and reuse them at home.

Paper or reusable. I walk and take the bus and paper/reusable are simply far easier to handle in those modes of transportation than plastic.

Unless I’m running low on trashbags for the bathroom trashcan. Then, naturally, I have to make a plastic run.

I don’t have to say anything. I take my own reusable, recyclable bags and fill them as I shop. When they’re full, I stop shopping. Groceries are transferred from cart to conveyor with amazing ease in these totes, and they don’t have to ask me which kind of bag I want.

Paper harbors roaches; plastic lasts nearly forever in the landfill and, as @bythebay says, they’re so thin as to be a liability. The ones from Albertson’s always had holes in them, so I couldn’t even reuse them to line small wastebaskets.

i use my hands. i don’t buy that much.

Plastic and then I either reuse them at home or I turn them back into the grocery store for recycling.

Plastic,these people created them so let them deal with the fallout.
Over the years Governments have fucked this planet all in the name of profit.
Now that the shit is hitting the fan they throw it at us to put their selfish capitalism right.

PLASTIC PLASTIC PLASTIC

My reusable bags first, then plastic if I need to.

The only time I got paper bags was back when we were required to cover our school-issued textbooks. They make a perfect cover.

I’ve never once been asked. I also can’t remember the last time I got a paper bag.

That being said, I just this week bought a $1.99 reusable bag that the store will give me 3¢ for using each time. Only 66 more grocery trips before I get my money back! :-)

I use these great 1.29 bags from IKEA. Very stylish.

At Trader Joe’s, we use canvas bags. At other stores, I request paper when asked. Plastic annoys me, they have no structure and your groceries wind up unbagged and scattered around the trunk when you get home.

I have my own shopping bag.

I too bring my own bags and a beautiful straw basket from Kenya.

@gailcalled: I’m sure you’re the most fashionable shopper in the market!

I do stop traffic, I must say. It may be the cat hairs on my black parka. (0˚ today.)

or the cat peeking out of your basket

I bring my own, and paper when those run out. I compost, and the paper ones are a good carbon foil for my nitrogen-rich kitchen scraps.