KEY POINTS:
We all have our vices, says James, who snapped Santa sneaking into the TAB in Orewa.
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Vaughan wonders if we're really getting cheap flights these days. "If we take into account the horrendous daily parking charges at Auckland Airport, these seemingly cheap flights are not
so cheap. I flew to Christchurch a few days ago on a $79 flight and returned to the carpark to pay $130 for four days. It seems ironic that a small piece of asphalt commands nearly the same price as a 1000km return flight in a sophisticated aeroplane. Are we simply being milked after we get off the plane to top-up low, low fares? I know you can get park-and-fly but who can be bothered with all the shagging around. Last time I used park-and-fly my car was returned with a mysterious dent in the door that nobody knew anything about. When you see how they are parked about two-thousandths of an inch away from each other it is no wonder."
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Andy just came back from seeing the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace at Sylvia Park Hoyts, and had to endure 21 minutes of commercials and trailers before the movie. Apparently it's standard practice, but does anyone else think it's excessive?
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Tracey wants to share her experience with radio station ZM. "I sent a text through in response to a topic being discussed, 'What are you doing for your work Christmas party?' and to my delight I was called and asked by the presenter for more information. He then went on to say he would put me on air and send me out "some" free stuff. A couple of days later I checked the mail to find an envelope, for two ZM stickers. Thanks guys, you shouldn't have bothered."
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A home-made Tui-style billboard, spotted at Waikato Hospital, says: "Your operation is going to be done tomorrow - Yeah right."
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Christmas rage is similar to road rage, but happens in the aisles of toy stores to people who aren't coping with the stress of the season.
Late night at St Lukes my friend and I were looking in the dreaded pink aisle in Farmers for a gift for her niece - we both have boys so were amused by some of the toys, namely disposable nappies for dolls. A woman nearby took exception to us laughing and, with a face like a sucked lemon, huffed and puffed disapproval at us. Incredulous, we told her to mind her own business and continued our shopping, putting it down to Christmas rage.
Have you experienced any Christmas rage out in retail land? Email Sideswipe.
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Today's Webpick: An international collection of some of the dumbest business decisions ever made, which includes a bad call from Telecom, New Zealand in 1987. Watch the cliphere.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
