Okay, I have read many of the replies to this thread and decided to add my opinion based on 25+ years of retail and restaurant management experience.

I would not have given you a bag. There are several reasons for it including cost (more than you think), shoplifting, inventory (bags do run out more often than you think), and many others. Why didn't you simply take the PJ's back out to your car and then go back into the mall?

Also, just because the woman was older doesn't mean she has no common sense. Based on what you have written, you clearly don't understand that company policies are in place for a reason. Just because you don't like them doesn't make them any less important. Employees at some of the companies I have worked for have been disciplined for disobeying company policy no matter how minor it might be. You should take that into consideration.

None of the stores I have worked for would have given you a bag or change without buying something. You might think that defies common sense but I assure you shoplifting and quick change artists cost companies thousands of dollars a year. In this economy, no company can afford to lose money on something like that if it can be reduced.