Here's a bit of practical origami for folding a little handle for a take-out bag. I reverse-engineered this from a neat trick done by a waiter at a Chinese restaurant.
Step 1: Fold #1: right triangle
This first fold is easy. Fold the upper portion so that you have a 45 degree fold. The image shows the fold for making a left-handed handle. (Mirror-image it for a right handed handle.)
Step 2: Fold #2: handle slope
Take the point of the right triangle, and fold it down. What you want is to have the length of the edge above the horizontal crease to be approximately equal to the length of the edge below the horizontal crease. The reason for this is that the part hanging under the horizontal crease will be tucked up under the handle, and the tip of the over-hang will rest exactly under the point of the handle when you're done, for a secure fold that's easy to hold.
Step 3: Fold #3: tucking the over-hang
Tuck the overhanging part under the handle, and give the fold a good crease. Voila! You now have a handle.
If folded properly, the handle should be fairly secure, and will permit you to hang the bag on hooks, on your fingers, etc. Now, you don't have to clutch your take-out bag like a burlap sack.
If folded properly, the handle should be fairly secure, and will permit you to hang the bag on hooks, on your fingers, etc. Now, you don't have to clutch your take-out bag like a burlap sack.
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It is a very tangible skill for a customer service person, like the person who taught it to you.
The small part is knowing how to do the fold. The big part is having an awareness of the customer's experience ... actually thinking about how they are going to handle the bag. And it's going to be entertaining for the customer. Perhaps it will be an event or performance that creates a point of social interaction.
In a very real way, a young adult who learns how to do this is more prepared for employment. And it is a skill that they can demonstrate, like while waiting around for to ask for an interview or an application in a store.
I know we live in a world of plastic bags, but this is something that can be taught as part of a lesson plan in a vocational classroom or in a high school career planning class.
There are a number of lessons that can be learned from folding a bag like this.
Thanks!
1) the bags are not long enough for their width; the first 45 degree fold ends up using half the bag, and
2) the. Bag material is too springy, and won't stay put like paper when creased.
Give it a try; perhaps a variation of this fold may work.