Also, some folks are worried about germs on the rim of the glass. Using a straw doesn't help you with any germs that might be inside the glass, of course, but I suppose extreme germophobes may use straws for that reason.
Perhaps another reason from the restaurant's perspective is that cleaning the glasses is a bit easier if fewer people put their lips to it. I'm thinking primarily of lipstick smudges. Haven't seen any in a long while, though.
I use the straw about 50 percent of the time when served with an open-top glass.
As for plastic shopping bags, I try to refuse as many as possible. If the item has a handle, I don't need a bag, dammit.
Also, if I'm only getting a couple items I turn down the bag, too. "Save the plastic forest!"*
I think there are recent news reports about California going state-wide with a plastic bag ban. I know some cities already have one in place.
*When I was a kid there was a movement to cut down on the usage of
paper bags.
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