The shopping bag collection

This is a post inspired by the ongoing shopping-bags-of-the-world discussion over at Pashmina's cutting-edge chronicle. Here in Sarf Africa we have recently undergone one of our periodic revolutions; people never tire of them since the big struggle, it seems. This one was extremely painful. The government decided to "phase out" the paper-thin shopping bags used in profusion at shopping emporia and subsequently recyled as urban decoration, flapping gaily on power lines, fences, hedges and trees. The plasti-bag industry was outraged, saying thousands of bag men and women would be put out of work.

The government pointed out that it simply wanted 1 sturdier bags; 2 a charge to be levied for every bag provided at checkouts. This went to and fro for some time and then the great leap forward began. Shoppers turned out to have been itching to reuse their bags and what's more to buy doughty holdalls of fabric manufacture.

These days the assistant asks "Would you like a bag?" to which the usual reply is, "Oh no, I have my own [brandishing same]." And those buying, say, just a loaf of bread, a jar of coffee and a newspaper will eschew any bag and simply carry them out of the shop.
So, of course, the bag industry and the retail shopping chains realised they were on to a nice little earner; and now new bag styles appear regularly. Another big plus: the urban ornamental bag is no more.

At top left, the original Woolworth's (think M&S) art bag, with works commissioned from artists in the townships and the Cape Flats. Very cool until it gets creased and battered. Obviously this means lots of repurchases.

Top right: the common or garden Woolworth's fabric bag, in various shades including lime, plum, sky blue and blush pink (I once saw a male customer carrying one of the last; women in the queue were speculating somewhat maliciously ...)

Above left: Tesco equivalent Pick and Pay's nucular suitcase. I have one of these, as a completist, but have never used it.

Above right: Woolworth's Stealth heavy transport, my favourite bag, and, I fancy, the most stylish: note the military-style ribbing and the fluted shape. Toughened fabric, holds a week's groceries plus your library books. Indestructible.