Change is sometimes difficult to deal with. Even though I’m a huge proponent of change, I understand that sometimes it’s hard to adjust to. Especially in the business world.

Sometimes attitude makes all the difference. I realize that the south is oftentimes resistant to new things. Once we get comfortable, we start spouting off things like ‘Why fix what ain’t broke?’ and ‘Change is for the parkin‘ meter.’

I need you to listen to this southern girl. This Global Warming thing is real. You can try to blame Al Gore and chalk it up to a bunch of ‘liberal hooey’ but that doesn’t change the truth. The reason your corporate offices are selling ‘Reusable Grocery Bags’ is because they realize that those awful plastic bags are a huge contributor to Al Gore’s mess this problem.

This shopper actually loves her reusable bags. (I HATE the Walmart ones…I love the Kroger ones) I would love them even more if you, the southern grocers, would train your associates on how to efficiently bag groceries in the reusable bags. I understand that here in Little Rock, there are only about 5 of us who use them, but I promise, if your associates change their attitude and become more efficient, that will change.

Yesterday I was at the Bryant Walmart with my mother. My checkout associate was really nice. She was older and had obviously never had anyone use the reusable bags before. (I’m quite sure Bryant, AR will be the last place on earth to convert to the reusable bags.)She was almost confused when I handed the bags to her. She fumbled her way through, mumbling under her breath the whole time. I don’t think she was intending to be rude, but it came across that I was inconveniencing her. Last week, the associate was downright rude to me. She rolled her eyes when I handed her my bags. That is unacceptable.

Honestly? Their attitude is your fault because you haven’t trained them properly. When I was in Florida this summer, I watched in absolute AWE as the Publix associates were almost joyful when they were handed the reusable bags. And talk about efficient? It was amazing. I wish Publix would come to Arkansas. I would never go to Kroger or Walmart again.

I use 6-8 grocery bags for my weekly groceries, as opposed the 30-40 plastic bags. I wish we’d go to a completely ‘plastic-bag free’ environment, but I know, at least in Arkansas, we’re a long way away from that. I’m still using my reusable bags and I need you guys to do a better job in welcoming my choice. Don’t make me feel like I’m inconveniencing you. Because I promise, one day, there will be another grocery option here–and I’ll take my business to them faster than kudzu spreads.