>My brother had exactly the opposite experience with a water bed. It led to all kinds of problems for him.

For me it is mainly the possibility to sleep on a warm "ground" in a cold room without too many clothes and other things. I used to sleep on beds not too soft (the worst beds were those full metal beds in the army which were 3/4 hammocks) and the bed is nearly filled to capacity. I spent a few nights in another water bed only about 2/3 full (including the girl) and did not like it there. But as long as it is not a sagging bed, I can sleep anywhere. If I sit to long during the day (driving back from skiing for instance) resting in a water bed "cures" me much faster. But it might be different with different people.

>He said especially that plastic shopping bags have brought him tons of income. When people used paper grocery bags, they carried them close to the chest with the arms wrapped around them, and could only carry so much that way. Now, people carry way too much weight in plastic bags held down at their sides and pulling on their shoulders.

Guess he was thrilled when laptops added to briefcases... If I do the shopping (here in germany about half of that is done walking) I always carry cotton bags I can hang on my shoulder and always balance the weight carried in my hands. If you look at an airport you see lopsided people hunched over 1 heavy suitcase, even if they roll it. Even if I am flying alone I take 2 smaller cases. Just common sense.

regards

thomas