Sideswipe: August 14: Jog on the spot, maybe?

A reader wasn't sure what to do in this shop in Bali

The problems of modern life

1. Americanisation of the English language - and the selfie generation
"I was told yesterday that a colleague was on 'vacation'. Since when did anybody go on a 'vacation' and when did my coffee become 'regular'? Why can't the coffee ponce admit it's a small cup? Don't get me started on 'like'. 'It was, like, amazing.' Well, was it amazing? Or did it just have a semblance of amazing? I grew up when people demonstrated against the government, boycotted foodstuffs and wanted to engage with life politically and socially. Modern youth blindly accept everything - the only way to get them irate would be to turn off their Wi-Fi so they can't post a picture of their own faces to their friends every five minutes." (Source: b3ta.com)

Rudeness incurs grandma's wrath

"Yesterday a friend and I were going to have lunch in Mt Eden village," writes Jenny. "I had to carefully manoeuvre my car into the last spot in the car park behind the shops as someone had parked on the 'no parking' lines. We were just about to get out of my car when a guy wearing a grey hoodie appeared and did a wee right in front of us, in broad daylight ... I got out and told him off. He abused me and gave me the fingers (so also no respect for a lady of nearly 70). I wonder whose son, brother or friend this 'widdle wee man' is? I'm sure they'd be so proud."

'Star Wars' Co-op driver light years ahead

Fiona writes: "I am unable to drive at the moment and am sporting a 'Moon Boot' and hobbling along. I have been using taxis to get to and from work and this afternoon the driver (Co-op Taxis) went above and beyond. He was friendly and upbeat (and the Werther's was a real treat). He even opened the front gate for me and these kindnesses made my day. I didn't get his name or the taxi number but thank you Mr Taxi Man with a Star Wars ringtone!"

It may be a bamboo pillow but ...

Bamboo a brand, not an ingredient

"How can they call it a bamboo pillow?" asks Denis Urlich. "My wife purchased three bamboo pillows at the mall. The label states the pillow is 100 per cent polyurethane foam and the cover - pillow case - is 40 per cent bamboo and 60 per cent polyester." For an explanation of why a bamboo pillow has no bamboo in the pillow, the Novadown website says: "The Bamboo Pillow harnesses the unique attributes of bamboo fibre to create an exciting new sleep experience. Novadown have encased 250gsm of bamboo fibre between 100 per cent cotton fabric to create a thick quilted bamboo fibre shell that draws moisture away from you whilst you sleep and provides a drier, more comfortable sleep. Because bamboo is a naturally flat fibre, the core of the pillow is filled with virgin siliconised polyester to create and retain superb loft and support."

Video: The host of "You Suck At Cooking", is abnormally sombre in this episode and describes how to quickly whip up a dish of "Break-up Pasta", also known as spaghetti aglio e olio. "It's gloomy out, which makes it a great day to make "Break-up Pasta". "Break-up Pasta" is a good way to end a relationship, especially when you're a giant coward like me..." he says.

Picture this: We know these days cruise ship are full of gastro bugs and old people, but it wasn't always the case. Here's a gallery of random cruise goers from the 90s...

Video: Canadian politician Wyatt Scott has the best political campaign video...

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Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz