Rants & Raves: Cheer juice at Dress-Smart

Dress-Smart outlet store in Onehunga. Photo / Chris Skelton

Rant

I wish young shop staff would stop using Madam (or M'am) and Sir once you're over 40. I know they are trying to be polite but I find the terms very ageist. Just say, "Hello", "please" and "thank you". We don't need a title.

F. McAllister

Rave

During a recent shopping trip to Dress-Smart in Onehunga, I was greeted cheerfully with a "Good morning" or "can I help you with something?" in every shop I went to. It was such a pleasant place to shop that I wondered if the staff all have a dose of cheer juice as they enter the mall to start work! What a pleasure to shop there, and a nice antithesis to the many complaints that are made about surly or non-existent customer service.

Kaye C

Rant

Although the larger Australian-owned banks are happy to have Silverdale businesses as account holders, they are not willing to provide an ATM for Silverdale Village. They expect people to walk up a steep hill to the nearest ATM. With 600 businesses in the Silverdale area, it is time for a rethink on service to customers.

Lorraine Sampson

Rave

At Vivian Bay on Kawau Island recently my husband and I (elderly) were beaching our dinghy when two students from Rangitoto College stopped to help us pull it ashore. When they learned that we were going to scrub the hull to remove small barnacles they upturned the dinghy and proceeded to scrub it clean. When finished they went on their way. These two boys are a credit to Rangitoto College, their parents and their community.

Jill Thompson

Rant

Who are these people who go to the beach to play their music at top volume? The beach experience is all about relaxing in the pleasurable sounds of children's play, the waves, the gulls, the peace and quiet. Being forced to listen to someone else's taste in music is arrogance on their part. My only consolation is they will be deaf by the time they are 40, shame there is no redress in the present.

Lynette C

Rave

As a gluten-free vegan, thanks to all the chefs and restaurant and cafe staff who don't treat me like a food pariah, and have gluten-free and vegan menu items or are happy to adapt dishes. I don't expect it, but am overjoyed when it happens. New Zealand chefs are outstanding!

Ally