They aren't that sturdy and they have no handles. In the US, you will find your bags are always 'double bagged' - two flimsy plastic together, or a paper inside a plastic. And they look at you as if you are completely nuts if you bring your own bag (unless you go to Whole Foods or the farmers' market). They only have those nice paper bags in the movies, or in the suburbs when you only need to carry them to the car.