On one of those rainy weekends this spring (and which weekend wasn't rainy this spring?) Larry and I went to Borders with the plan of hanging out in the Seattle's Best Coffee Shop and reading books for free.

Like we can really do that without buying a ton of them. Still, I think there were some that we did read there and didn't buy but I could be mistaken. We went early so we could get those big comfry chairs and had a grand morning, drinking coffee, eating pastries and reading books we were going to buy anyway and take home and read again. 

Imagine the thrill we got at the register when we saw that Borders had put a little sign right there on the counter that said "Please consider the environment before asking for a bag for your purchase" or something like that.

We were so happy to see it we couldn't quit poking each other and pointing to it and grinning (we'd had a lot of coffee). But now get this - after the nice lady at the register rang up our puchases she grabbed a plastic bag and started putting our books in it. When we protested, her explanation was, "Well it's raining."

Well, soon to be raining acid, dear.

Fast forward to today. I'm back at Borders and it's clear as a bell outside. Once again I'm thrilled to see the little sign on the counter but I'm alone so I just pinch myself. Then, after the nice man at the register rang up my purchases he grabbed a plastic bag and started putting my books in it. When I protested, he looked surprised.

Now, the sign was flat on the counter but it was oriented toward the customer's side of things. Maybe the cashiers can't read upside down; I don't know.

Borders, thanks for trying. I can see why you might have thought the new policy was self-explanatory, but you might want to do a little in-service just in case.