Many places, the world over, have been using "market bags" for years. In Mexico, the ubiquitous plastic market bag is bought once and used for years when you go to market. They are now considered "chic" and sold in boutiques in New York for 500 times what you can buy them for in Mexico. Same goes for the famous string bag in France, the bag made entirely out of string, that you can put in your purse and pull out when you go to market, and that expands with your purchases. So, ladies, be creative and get the right bag for you. I, for one, will pick up a string bag in Paris this summer. I like that it is so tiny when not in use that you can tuck it into your purse or car.