90%?....Really?

Where do people come up with statistics?

Last night, Abbey and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things and I was blown away by our encounter with the check-out lady. A few weeks ago, Abbey purchased 2 reusable bags from Wal-Mart (pictured above). These bags take the place of having to use plastic bags every time you leave Wal-Mart. Let's just say that is our little effort to keep the earth green (this is another blog post for another day).

Anyways, as we are checking out, Abbey gives the two bags to the check-out lady, and instantly Abbey was her favorite daughter that she had not seen in 10 years. It was incredible. Check-out lady then went on to tell us all of the things that she does with her bags, by pretty much taking them everywhere when she goes shopping (Macy's, Kohl's, ANYWHERE!). Then she told us about how she gives her Mother's Day gifts, Wedding Gifts, Graduation Gifts, Baby Shower Gifts, Anything Gift in one of the bags. I was already about to explode with laughter watching the situation unfold, until she asked THE QUESTION. She asked Abbey if she has been able to tell a difference in cutting back using plastic in her life. Abbey kinda smiled and said, "No, not really, haven't really paid attention to it." The bag lady responded by saying, "I have cut back plastic in my life by 90%!"

Seriously. I am currently taking a Business Statistics class and I know how much can be involved with coming up with specific stats. You don't even have to take a class to be blown away by that statement. How in the world did she know she has cut back 90%? What does that mean? 90% of total weight plastic? Does plastic bottles count? What plastic counts and what plastic doesn't count? And how in the world can you say such a specific statistic? Does she only use the Wal-Mart plastic bags every 10th time she comes to the store?

I had to walk away half laughing, half scratching my head in amazement, and half speechless. Oh, I know, you can't have three halves - that stat doesn't make sense - but YOU have no idea how I came up with it. Clearly it doesn't matter.