Sideswipe: June 7: No pee zone for unmarried

The unmarried must pee elsewhere at new eatery Hugo's Bistro.

Father knows best

A dad writes: "Dexter got a new pencil from kindergarten today, but couldn't work out how to write with it as it hadn't been sharpened yet. I explained the process to him. Then he said, 'How do you know everything, Dad?' I just do, son, just do ..."

Pretentiousness - they just can't help it

"The owner of a well-known Auckland bar recently claimed in an interview that his establishment is 'aiming to take the pretentiousness out of cocktails'," writes Andrew. "Further on, there was reference to a particular drink on their menu that came 'with edible flowers and brilliant blue ice, served in an enclosed Czechoslovakian glass sphere'. Because nothing says humble, modest, accessible and down-to-earth quite like specifying the glassware's shape and country of origin ... I'm genuinely unsure whether this was intentional comedy or a ridiculous level of unintended irony. In their defence, at least the bar has 'shoestring fries' on its menu, rather than calling its chips 'hand-cut duck-fat Agria potato cubes', like certain other Auckland establishments."

Philosopher and the foodies

Foodies often call themselves epicures, which means those who enjoy fine food and drink. The word comes from the name of the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who people presume must have been quite the foodie. But while Epicurus is considered one of the most significant hedonistic thinkers, today's use of "epicure" and "epicurean" are misleading. Epicurus was an egoistic hedonist - that is, someone who believes what is good for you is whatever you enjoy and that life, while it should be based on moral virtue, is only worthwhile if everyone enjoys their life in their own way. (Source: Howstuffworks)

Hobsonville wharf buses explained

Last week Patricia claimed the first bus to Hobsonville Pt arrived after the first ferry sailing, which would seem a glaring mistake, but Auckland Transport was happy to explain: "There are two routes in the new timetable serving Hobsonville wharf, only one of these, the 114, is designed to meet the ferry. The other (112) is designed to meet the bus to the city at Westgate."

"We really loved the steak sneakers and shark bacon. But little did I know when I visited my mum that she had a contender ... seahorse cutlets!" writes John.

Video: The reactions of media at White House press briefings are priceless.

Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz