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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU students don’t have bags?

144 replies

Hdlll · 24/09/2026 08:32

It’s freshers week at universities. Went in a supermarket next to a uni campus to collect a click n collect.
Whilst I was there I checked if my favourite spirits were on offer. One was.
On self scan, loads of students and all buying bags.

Students need to realise that bag charges have been in place for 11 years in England and longer in other parts of UK.

Plus this is going to eat into their budget

OP posts:
Stopsnowing · 25/09/2026 05:45

Sometimes I end up shopping when I wasn’t planning to and am bag less. So what?

Lurkingforalaugh · 25/09/2026 06:12

And the award for most pointless aibu goes to ……

Whatthefork1 · 25/09/2026 06:23

Do you honestly think a 18 year old uni students top priority is making sure they take a carrier bag out with them?? Be real.

Poppinpoppinpopcorn · 25/09/2026 07:50

This is what happens in Freshers week.
Moved into halls, away from parents for the first time.
Many will be homesick
Will be attending induction sessions
Will be getting head around timetable that keeps changing.
Cooking for themselves.
Registering at uni, there are often problems.
Trying to make friends.
Weekly food shopping which many haven't done before
Getting used to handling money.
Navigating a city new to them.
Navigating a large uni campus new to them.
Give them a break, as someone said earlier they are baby adults, this is all new to them and many are struggling. Not taking a bag is insignificant.

Shinyandnew1 · 25/09/2026 08:06

What a pointless and judgmental post! I’m sure they’ll learn, like we all have. Some will probably still forget -like some of us do!

Were you always so perfect?

CordwainerBird · 25/09/2026 08:22

Does everyone else have “favourite” bags for life? Top tier ones that are first preference, then slightly crappy older ones which still have use in them but it’s always a second or third choice?

I like the ones from The Works.

Sunbringer · 25/09/2026 08:24

GladysHeeler · 24/09/2026 20:18

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that your son and my daughter are in the same course so they can share the pen.

Show quote history

Perhaps that will help them make friends. Which is my main goal for our freshers and the activities! Lack of pens destroys possible friendships… or forges them? Who knows.

I just always remember that I met my husband on day 1. Imagine if futures don’t come to be because of lack of pens. Horreur. But I have run out of spare pens. I only had 300.

Mamorau · 25/09/2026 09:05

I’m a 43 year old mum of 3 and I’m for forever buying bags because the ones I’ve already bought are sat in the cupboard in the house 😂😂🥴🥴

EmmaB1309 · 25/09/2026 09:05

This is the most pointless post I’ve read in a long long time.
Yeah, cos when students are starting a new life at uni their first priority should be to bring a stash of bags for life from home…..

EmmaB1309 · 25/09/2026 09:06

CordwainerBird · 25/09/2026 08:22

Does everyone else have “favourite” bags for life? Top tier ones that are first preference, then slightly crappy older ones which still have use in them but it’s always a second or third choice?

I like the ones from The Works.

Yea those are great!

dreamingofgoodhair · 25/09/2026 09:16

I still often buy bags at the till. Sometimes go in for one thing and buy a few things.
I should imagine the average 18 year old fresher wouldn’t think of taking a carrier bag with them.

Gwendolines1 · 25/09/2026 09:39

This is such a strange post, lol.

GlitteryRainbow · 25/09/2026 10:14

JustWalnut · 24/09/2026 08:42

I'm 45 with a huge collection of reusable bags and I still have to buy one from time to time! As long as they were paying for them I don't really see the issue.

Me too! Sometimes because I’ve forgotten them, or I buy more than intended or I’ve gone to the supermarket when I wasn’t expecting too.

GlitteryRainbow · 25/09/2026 10:17

Hdlll · 24/09/2026 18:47

in shops with self scans, shops run out as customers scan one bag then take 3-4 or scan none at all.

Obviously works on auto reordering but if a quarter of the bags are scanned

Some countries don’t have bags to buy!

Edited
Show quote history

I think you are making massive assumptions about students being thieves and being unable to reuse bags. We you ever a student?

Ironfistbump · 25/09/2026 10:23

I always buy a bag amost every time and i’ve not been a student for ages. I take my shopping into the house, bag goes in cupboard. Rinse repeat. I have to remember to place bags in my car and i never do that, so a new bag it shall be. Luckily my DH is more organised and keeps loads in his car and he mainly does the food shop etc. The house bags gets used for bin liners and bagging up coal in winter etc so it’s not a complete waste….

Illberidingshotgun · 25/09/2026 11:21

So how do they build up their supply of bags, if they don't buy them? My youngest will be going to uni next year and he's certainly not taking any of mine with him, he can buy his own 😆

tilypu · 25/09/2026 12:43

Hdlll · 24/09/2026 18:47

in shops with self scans, shops run out as customers scan one bag then take 3-4 or scan none at all.

Obviously works on auto reordering but if a quarter of the bags are scanned

Some countries don’t have bags to buy!

Edited
Show quote history

Then how do people that need to shop for the first time get their shopping home?

Sunshine5791 · 25/09/2026 14:05

I think you need to find yourself a hobby to occupy your time as most of us have too much else to worry about than students at a freshers fair buying carrier bags!

FWIW, I sent DS to uni last week with bags for life, we transported his shopping in them, but I can guarantee he will forget to take them shopping with him and definitely won’t have them with him if he is at the freshers fair and calls in to the supermarket on the way back to halls.
I know a couple of adults who chuck bags for life away. They never take bags to the shop, the concept of that is beyond them and they just buy more. Its really wasteful but it’s their choice.

Nbo · 25/09/2026 17:52

What a strange post…😂

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