Elastic bands.......a curse.

[Costas2008]

Today, dear members, I’m going to complaint about elastic bands.

Yes, those multi-coloured elastic bands, that Thai food vendors, tie all the plastic bags with food or coffee.

For the life of me, when I go home and try to open the bags, I can’t.

Mission impossible comes to my mind and I bet my blood pressure goes sky high.

I struggle with them by the hours, and when I think I found the way to take the plastic band out to my disappointment, I have tightened it more round the bag.

Give up at the end and I cut the neck of the bag with a pair of scissors.

Do you think, I have any success here?

No, because the contents of the bag is all over the floor the kitchen cabinets or my clothes.

I’ve tried in the past to invent a new way of securing the contents of the bag, but with no success.

Saying that, I’m amazed how Thai people can take out these bands in a jiffy.

No struggle at all, no swearing and cursing like me.

But for the sakes of thousands of expats living in this country, can anyone think of another way of securing the contents in the plastic bags, instead of using these horrible elastic bands?

If anyone does, maybe we can go into partnership and make, loads and loads of money.

[cornishcarlos]

Just eat where you buy it... No stress

[h90]

just cut off the plastic bag below it.

[pgrahmm]

Why don't you just cut it open in a clean bowl.....presto chango instant serving.....

I agree though - they have black belts in Karma rubber bandism.....

[Chairman Of The Board]

Just hire someone as a full time plastic food bag opener.

[Brit_Doggie]

Ziplock bags, when you get new camera post pics here gimme surname then i open business account in our names, but w8 no wp lol.

[sipi]

You're surprised how "Thai people can take out these bands in a jiffy"

I'm surprised how they tie them in a jiffy, without covering themselves and everything else in boiling food.

[Hedghog]

Hold the bag over the receiving bowl.

Cut the bottom of the bag halfway through the base of the bag.

The contents of your meal are effortlessly transferred to the bowl.

Sit down and enjoy.

Repeat process with the small bag of spicy condiments.

[ThaidDown]

The elastic band seems to be a cheap easy closer. Opening depends on whether you want to reuse the elastic bands or not.

If you want to remove the bands whole you have to look carefully when the vendor ties up the bag, this will show the way to remove.

The easiest way to get at the contents is to hold the bag firmly just above the band and use a very sharp knife (small snap off blade type) to just knick the band, since it is under tension it will just pop off and fly away. Take care not to cut the plastic bag. Now open the neck of the bag and pour.out the contents. Done.

[Pomthai]

Stop trying to undo it. Grab the bag under the band and slide the band up off of the top.

Have a cloth handy the first time to clean up your mess ya just made, and second time don't squeeze the bag so hard.

[thehelmsman]

Ask the I eat on 100 baht a day brigade, they'll have the answer you seek.

[DeaconJohn]

Taking a rubber band off a plastic bag is a minor problem.

What is potentially dangerous here are the metal staples often used to close bags and other food wraps. Removing them without letting them fall into the food can be tricky.

[DeaconJohn]

Ask the I eat on 100 baht a day brigade, they'll have the answer you seek.

Yes probably, at least they have some of the answers.

The clueless greenhorns don't have any.

[thehelmsman]

Ask the I eat on 100 baht a day brigade, they'll have the answer you seek.

Yes probably, at least they have some of the answers.

The clueless greenhorns don't have any.

Confirmation much appreciated pardner....

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I never seem to get enough of them.

Very useful for making yoghurt, bit of plastic bag and a band over a glass of milk gives a perfect seal.

(Glass or milk + teaspoon of Yoplait Yogurt left out overnight with band and bag = glass of yogurt next day)

Perfect with some Macro frozen raspberries/blueberries and a teaspoon of sugar stirred in.

(or whatever fresh fruit you have to hand)

Edited October 14, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[DeaconJohn]

Ask the I eat on 100 baht a day brigade, they'll have the answer you seek.

Yes probably, at least they have some of the answers.

The clueless greenhorns don't have any.

Confirmation much appreciated pardner....

I said "they", not "we".

It costs me a lot more than 100 baht per day to eat, and I'm not clueless... I know how to take a rubber band off a plastic bag.

Edited October 14, 2014 by DeaconJohn

[lust]

i also fail at the elastic bands

i just stab at the bag with a fork. Aint nobody got time for that

[canuckamuck]

Amateurs

[HooHaa]

is it really that difficult?

my experience says not.

you are either totally useless or prone to hyperbole

[Costas2008]

is it really that difficult?

my experience says not.

you are either totally useless or prone to hyperbole

I love it when people use Greek words like "hyperbole"

[ignis]

Cannot always open them but much better at it...

1st you need someone to show you a few times how they do them up, mostly then it is easy to undo.

the tiny bags get me there so small and so full, scissors is much easier.

[ozsamurai]

You're seniority in Thailand is directly proportionate to the size of your "rubber band ball", start saving...

Oz

[pigeonjake]

costas my old mate,

cut the bottom corner off,, works every time

[David48]

Just eat where you buy it... No stress

that can get a little messy in popular places like Soi Cowboy ...

[WhamBam]

Have to admit I simply slice off the rubber band. I am often too hungry to faff about.

[NamKAheng]

Try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IVtPnUHBE

Edited October 14, 2014 by NamKAheng

[geronimo]

One member suggested observing the vendor when they apply the rubber band. This is good, except that they do it so fast, you won't get it properly. Pay one 20 bt and have em teach you how to do it.

Confuscious once said "only way to unravel is learn how to ravel"

[harrry]

One member suggested observing the vendor when they apply the rubber band. This is good, except that they do it so fast, you won't get it properly. Pay one 20 bt and have em teach you how to do it.

Confuscious once said "only way to unravel is learn how to ravel"

Costas...why do you have to open your own food. What else did you get that wife of yours for?

[Spoonman]

Never been that hard up for cash that I have had to buy food or beverages that comes in a rubber band tied baggie...

Interesting thread, learn something new every day !!

[Crossy]

I get my lunch delivered to the office for a whole 40 Baht a time (includes an extra egg), condiments in the little rubber band tied baggie.

I thought I had sussed the opening of the beast (you find the last loop and flip it over the top of the bag), but it seems the food lady has a new assistant who uses an alternative technique, I just get the scissors out.