Sideswipe

Would this billboard have made more sense if the right-hand bit was in the middle, asks a reader, adding: 'I wonder if ASB is looking for new people to put up its billboards?'

Opinion

A story on Slate.com tells how companies manage to "save very little money while destroying morale and alienating employees" with mindless penny pinching. The paperclip is often a target of an in-house economy drive. One reader recalls being given a bag of paperclips on his first day with the explanation that the firm would never buy paperclips. Another was told to use paperclips instead of staples because paperclips could be reused. A third says he was asked to "keep a list of each clip we used, and the reason for the use!"

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While filming for the BBC in Zambia at Livingstone, near the Victoria Falls, New Zealand sound specialist Mike Westgate had the pleasure of experiencing the local airport business lounge. He describes it as "a small room decorated with odd pictures, no food, almost empty spirit bottles, empty wine-cask holders, a fridge full of local beer, a kettle and a large tin of instant coffee. The promotional pamphlet for the lounge proudly says for as little as $400 per year you can 'enjoy first-class comfort and facilities at our club lounge' and says it is a place where you can 'simply relax and listen to refreshing melodies whilst you wait for your delayed flight' ... and they have the most uncomfortable settees that you've ever sat on."

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Police in Preston, England, are asking local officials to ban what they call "vertical drinking". They claim that drinking while standing contributes to violence and other antisocial behaviour. If they have their way, bars will only be able to serve customers who are seated. (Source: Reason.com)

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School holidays dragging? I went to Spike Milligan's Badjelly the Witch at the Civic's Wintergarden with my 3-year-old and was reminded how good live theatre can be. This production is energetic, interactive and sometimes delightfully scary. Highlights include the flatulent trouser robbers, a real rain shower, a policeman who has been turned into an apple tree and the star of the show, Badjelly, played superbly by Madeleine Sami . Good for all ages. It runs until Sunday, ring Ticketek on 307-5000 for session times.

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After a pregnant customer was refused a glass of water, having spent $48 on ice cream, Shane Lamont of Mission Bay's Movenpick ice cream parlour has changed the company policy: "From this point on we will be very happy to meet any request for free tap water".

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A new system which makes mobile phones let out a high-pitched scream when stolen is on the market in Britain. Makers believe the system, which is also designed to wipe data and deactivate handsets, could stamp out mobile phone theft in just two years. The Remote XT system uses inbuilt software to link customers' phones directly to a secure remote server that stores all their data. If the owner is mugged or realises the phone has been taken, he or she can dial a 24-hour call centre and register it as stolen. Tracking the phone using cellphone masts, the system immediately activates an alarm like a high-pitched scream that can be stopped only by removing the battery. (Source: BPA)