Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
Good grief, the ridiculous amount of loose money available for a canvas bag with a logo.
Just like high fashion.
This is from my closet a Philadelphia Bulletin paperboy bag like I used in the late 50's and early 60's. This one was used by my late cousin who used it in the mid 50's.
If it ever becomes high fashion or trendy, like messenger bags seemed to have been, it will be a sad day.
I had a booth at the Ann Arbor Classic Bicycle Show & Swap Meet a few years ago. The show is held at the fairgrounds just south of Ann Arbor, MI and the booths are essentially pens in the animal buildings.
I saw a guy sitting on a Sting Ray while walking it in the wide aisle between parallel rows of booths. He had an old Ann Arbor News bag draped over his shoulder.
So I called out to him real friendly, "Hey man, did you deliver the Ann Arbor News back in the day?"
I expected "Yes!", but I heard "No." I could feel my neck hairs bristle, but kept a smile on my face.
"So why are you carrying the paperboy bag?"
He replied "It seems to fit in with the show and it's useful for carrying the stuff I buy." His bag looked empty.
My neck hairs bristled more. I felt less friendly.
I enquired "Were you a paperboy anywhere ever?"
He said in a sheepish weasel-like way "Yeah.... in Detroit..... in the 80s.
"Then why the Ann Arbor News bag?"
"It was the only one I could find."
Hmmm... I guess that's shows pride if not perseverance or integrity..but I still think he lied to save face.
I toned it down, but still gave him the stink-eye. "OK" I said, "I guess that's good enough."
My implied point was made -- only people who were paperboys or papergirls are allowed to carry delivery bags.
He didn't buy anything from me.
I think he realized he was not going to get the Friends & Family price now.
He would have been right.