"I'm guessing that the Want Want plaza in Shanghai replaced the Need Need building, soon to be replaced by the head office of Take Take Inc," says Adrian.
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In response to an article about a favourite Kiwi smells survey, David sent this letter to a maker of air fresheners : "Please as a result of the survey do not make coffee or fresh bread-flavoured air freshener. Some smells are sacred and an association with the toilet will not be good for society. I would also put vanilla in that category but I realise I'm too late. Secondly, I think it is you who makes the 'No more toilet smells' air freshener. I hate that smell. I prefer toilet smells and, yes, I have acted on the basis of that preference. I'm not sure if you're aware, but Avon [the mail order makeup people] put a different label on that stuff and pass it off as perfume. My mother-in-law wears it. I now associate my mother-in-law with the toilet and vice versa. Also, just as a side issue, I like the smell of (a) petrol (b) mothballs and (c) raw meat, so clearly I am not represented by the majority as far as worst smells go."
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Leading by example: John says, "Last Friday at 3pm on Dominion Rd, Balmoral, I spotted Rodney Hide in his small, bright-yellow car driving with a hand-held mobile. As well as having the phone to his ear, he was eating from a white container. Then we both went on to the new Mt Roskill motorway and he was still driving and talking."
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Suz writes: "The mention of the automated message in Sideswipe yesterday (which I have also received) is but one of many phone scourges. The worst is picking up the phone to hear a voice going 'Chimney Sweep' who then tells me that my chimney needs sweeping. I get one or two of these a week, usually from a sweep I've never heard of. My husband was taken in the first time and was surprised to see a sweep other than our usual one turn up."
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Maureen asks: "Has anyone else noticed Fox Sport's advertisement on Sky, where they have Phar Lap as being one of the good things that comes out of Australia? You'd think they'd have more sense than to show that ad in New Zealand, where we know better?"
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See today's Herald cartoon
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<i>Sideswipe:</i> Want Want Plaza
Opinion by Ana SamwaysLearn more
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