"Shopping bag" vs "Shopper"

[Tom]

Hi

In Pakistan, we use the term shopper for plastic shopping bags.I do not think it is correct. What is your opinion?

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

In the USA a "shopper" is a person who is shopping (or who often goes shopping).

In a supermarket you'll often hear those plastic shopping bags referred to simply as "plastic". The cashier might ask you the following question: "Paper or plastic?" In other words, "Shall I put everything in a paper shopping bag or in a plastic shopping bag?"

Amy

[Conchita]

Just for contrast, in the UK they are called carrier bags, whether they are plastic or paper.

PS: This term always reminds me of a lovely, sad song by Ralph McTell (reminiscent itself of my days in London -- HUGE SIGH). And I can't resist the temptation to post its lyrics :

Streets of London

Have you seen the old man
In the closed-down market
Kicking up the paper,
with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news

So how can you tell me you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking,
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

Chorus

In the all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven,
Same old man is sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his tea-cup,
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone

Chorus

And have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory fading with
The medal ribbons that he wears.
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care

Chorus

Don't tell me the song leaves you indifferent!

[Conchita]

[Tom]