Naysayers everywhere TSIS 74-87

I walk up to the “self checkout” counter conveniently located at the front of the supermarket. After fiddling with the touch screen and scanning and rescanning items because the voice is telling me I’m doing something wrong I eventually get all my items into the plastic bags thoughtfully placed adjacent to me. Though this process usually takes me twice as long as a regular checkout line would, when I have the option I usually take it. All you people-persons out there might be thinking, “How much more anti-social can you get?” or “In today’s world we’re getting less social interaction and more computer interaction.” Though your uber-social-butterfly view is quite understandable it doesn’t change the fact that more people today want to get in and get out, take care of things and go. Sure we pass each other in the street without a second glance but imagine all the time we save when we skip the pleasantries and get things done. Paper or plastic you ask? Well, another reason I like the self checkout is because I can make my choice without having to worry about what Shirley the manager or Tim the box-boy are going to think. I just take the liberty of using the plastic bags and even at times double-bagging for soda bottles or milk. Those who would oppose this decision might say that paper is better because of its durability and its recyclability but still, I have my reasons for preferring plastic. Besides, I re-use them as trash bags, lunch bags, picking-up-dog-poop bags, and heating-up-tortillas-in-the-microwave bags. Plastic bags are a part of my daily life. Environmentalists would suggest that I carry my own bag when shopping for groceries—and believe me I’ve tried—but, I always find that the one or two fabric bags I bought for $2.99 each are never enough to hold everything. Plus, I can’t afford to be shopping at Trader Joe’s or Henry’s all the time. Organic is good, organic prices—not so much. Although I realize the various objections towards my grocery shopping habits, for now I’m going with what works best for me. If any consolation, I try to save and use all my plastic bags to extend their use as much as possible; and, every time I leave the self checkout stand I always leave the on-looking employee at the small counter with a “Thank you” and a “Have a nice day.”

According to Graff and Birkenstein texts become more convincing when we integrate anticipated criticisms and objections (74). My first reaction was, “Why would anyone object with what I’m saying?” Then, remembering the chapter on agreeing and disagreeing I realize that there is an objection for almost everything. And many of these objections can be quite credible. The objections listed above regarding my supermarket preferences are grounded in reason and surely deserve my attention. I find that when I give them this attention it helps to explain my own reasoning more clearly. Who knew that opposition can actually work in my favor? When done correctly, it seems, this is very much the case.