Sideswipe: Fun with the Fuhrer

"Has anyone noticed that Adolf Hitler is a passenger on the bus that features on Fonterra's processed cheese product?" asks Rob.

Tired of tyre kickers

"Why does John Key (and now Nick Smith) keep talking about 'kicking the tyres of legislation' to see if it works?" asks Sam. "I've always used the term in a disparaging way. To me a 'tyre-kicker' is a person who tests a car by walking around and kicking the tyres and trying to look like they know what they are doing, when they have no idea. When I heard Nick Smith say they'll be kicking the tyres of the off-shore drilling regulations it doesn't fill me with confidence."

Drivers jump queue

"I went to buy lunch at McDonald's by Auckland Airport," says a reader. "I waited patiently and watched staff whizzing around but no one came to serve me or the seven people behind me. Eventually I clicked. A promotion requires drive-though customers receive their orders within 30 seconds or they receive a free voucher. I returned to my car and my order was instantly taken. I paid and drove to the pickup window and was handed my order within 15 seconds. The message? Cars are served, people aren't."

Merc oil change on Winz

The story of Winz continuing to pay for a client's counselling a year after it had concluded reminds a reader of another systemic failure: "I work in a vehicle service and repair workshop that often puts together Winz quotes for urgent mechanical repairs. One afternoon a lady drove in in her Mercedes and asked for a quote for the 'best service option we could offer'. Two days later she arrived and paid with a Winz grant. I found this appalling. Why should my taxes pay for someone unemployed to have their oil changed in their Mercedes?"

Ban on homemade lunches

A Chicago school principal has decided to save the children from their nutritionally-challenged parents by banning lunches brought from home. Students of Little Village Academy are not allowed to bring lunches from home unless they have a medical excuse. They must eat the food served in the cafeteria. Principal Elsa Carmona tells the Chicago Tribune: "It's about the nutrition and the excellent quality food that they are able to serve [in the lunchroom]. It's milk versus a Coke." She created the policy after watching students bring "bottles of soda and flaming hot chips" on field trips.

Recession busters

With the price of milk (and cheese and butter) I am trying the Homebrand/Signature brand - although quality can be hit and miss. The Homebrand pack of 15 tortillas for $3.98 is good value and good quality. What products do other consumers recommend?