How does Air New Zealand communicate what is, and more importantly what is not, appropriate behaviour on its new Skycouch, aka Cuddle Class? Well, the national carrier is suggesting this ad might do the trick ... Get it?
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Mike Anda just got back from a trip to see his 93-year-old Gran in Napier last week. "Over lunch on Wednesday, she mentioned she was partial to crayfish and whitebait. So just prior to lunch the next day, I called into The Thirsty Whale restaurant down by the port to see if either was on the menu. The staff member confirmed neither was, but said he would see what they could arrange. One staffer drove to the local fishery to buy a crayfish and one to another supplier to buy the whitebait. An hour later, Gran and I ate the best fresh crayfish, whitebait and scallops meal we have had. To the team at this restaurant, thanks a million."
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Pete writes: "Good old Westpac customer service rep wouldn't let on how much I needed to pay to renew an insurance policy because my wife was the policy holder and the Privacy Act wouldn't allow it. When I pointed out that the amount of money I needed to pay her was not usually "confidential" information - and that we were losing out on a "win-win" situation - she told me she could lose her job if she were to tell me how much I needed to pay her ..."
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Helen responds to Jim, who suggested a reader grow a spine and, instead of moaning in SideSwipe, tell someone to their face if they are bugged by their finger-licking magazine perusing. "When I saw a car stop and a female get out and start to pick the daffodils in Cornwall Park last spring, I said they weren't meant to be picked. I was sworn at. Last weekend, a red vehicle was parked for more than 10 minutes on yellow lines, dangerously blocking the view of other drivers ... When I pointed it out, the offending driver became aggressive and told me I wasn't a parking officer. People in the wrong are very defensive - no wonder others don't speak up!"
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Sharon Newey can beat Shirley's beater ... with another beater. "My mum was given it when she married in 1957. A gorgeous pale-blue model with a bakelite handle that I 'retired' last year, not because it doesn't go, but because I thought it deserved a break."
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Amanda writes: "I wish all these big businesses still made good-quality products like Shirley's beater. How cool is it that Shirley and her husband spent most of that £10 cheque on something that still goes as strong as it did in 1959.
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Can the owner of the graffiti-ed car featured in the print version of today's Sideswipe please contact us
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Today's Webpick: Fooling around in the funeral home is not allowed. Go here and scroll down.
Follow Ana Samways on Twitter
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See today's Herald cartoon
