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Dear Stan, A conversation on the evils of plastic bags with a friend spurred me to have a look around, particularly at stores and supermarkets, just to see what was on offer as an alternative.

Lo and behold, I found at Last Chance and Geant a jute bag selling for 500 and 800 fils. The question that arose then was ... why aren't people growing crazy for these bags?

Well, when you have plastic bags going for free as compared to 'paying' for a bag - doesn't one choose the easy way out?

I recall when hypermarket Geant suggested charging for its plastic bags (which is common in supermarkets in parts of Europe) the idea hardly worked in its favour.

Geant was forced to give in to its stakeholders. But where did its good intentions go wrong? Are shoppers ignorant of how surplus plastic in the environment is toxic?

People are not ignorant, just merely lazy and need to be given a big fat push to do what is good for them.

Paying for bags may seem silly for them now, but it will do wonders to alter shoppers' behaviour - it will eventually make people remember to carry their own bags.

But the business of charging for bags or making a conscious effort to reduce damage to our environment cannot be left just to one supermarket; it has to be the collective effort of all.

Remember 'united we stand, divided we fall!' Furthermore, it would help if there was legislation enforced, whereby this would be a default aspect of every business rather than just supplementary commitment of the company.

I couldn't even find alternative bags when I went hunting for them in Carrefour even though there was signage telling me to choose them instead of plastic. Rather than search to buy these bags most shoppers will just take what they get and move on. It brings us to the question; are you, the supermarket or corporation, making it easy for me, the consumer, to choose something good for the environment?

And, the problem is just not paying or charging for the bag ... there is also a problem with design! How hard is it to provide a good design for these jute bags?

Eco-friendly is just not a good enough reason to buy. They also have to look good, if one expects people to pay good money for them.

Here is a world of demanding and well-informed consumers it wouldn't hurt to have a fabulous and simple graphic design on the bags.

Have a look at Marks and Spencer's canvas bag, for example. It's got a fabulous image, simple cotton material and the company logo accompanies it stylistically. Food for thought ...

Kavita Gonsalves,

By email.

Dear Stan,

When I read the prize winning story of Sabahat Najamul Arefeen 'The world today' in last week's GulfWeekly and I was totally touched by her theme and narration.

Bravo to her as well to all the winners and many thanks to the British Council for holding such competitions and may it continue to do so in the future.

Um Moosa,

Bahrain

Dear Stan,

I read with interest Shilpa Chandran's feature in the EatingOut section of GulfWeekly on Bali Orchid and it begs the question why a Malay restaurant is named after an island in Indonesia. Since my wife and I are fond of Malay cuisine I was wondering if you can supply me with directions or a contact number for the restaurant.

Arthur Dsouza,

Budaiya

Dear Stan,

I read your article about Bali Orchid and would like to contact Dr Zaha Rina Zahari regarding Malaysian food.

Jelaja,

By email.

Editor's note: Dr Zaha Rina took up the management of Bali Orchid last year which previously served both Indonesian and Malay cuisine. It is situated in Gudaibya. Call 17180424 for information and bookings.