This sign, in Whangarei's Bank St, makes Frank Nerney think it's time to do away with the apostrophe. Photo / Supplied
Unpacking bureaucracy
"We ordered some hand sanitiser from our stationery supplier," writes Carole.
"It came in a box measuring 30cm x 22cm x 30cm. The box had a packing slip folded and placed in a stuck-on window pocket, along with another piece of paper: a Dangerous Goods Declaration and Packaging
Declaration with a big red stamp DGLQ on it and personally signed by the storeperson responsible, and dated. On the box some additional stickers had been added: One red triangle, with 'Flammable Liquid', one black triangle with the centre label peeled off, an orange Fragile sticker, another sticker with DGSP EXEMPT, a courier delivery docket, a Dangerous Goods label specifically for the attention of the courier. Inside the box was about a dozen air bags which everyone has fun bursting. At the bottom of the box is a plastic bag tied with a knot in it. Inside the plastic bag is a hand sanitiser pump. What is ironic also, is that the product is required as a health & safety requirement to remove potential germs that exist in and outside the workplace. I'm sure all the prep, packaging and delivery will cost three times the cost of the sanitiser, just because of a health and safety requirement."
Road works in disguise
Tony writes: "Sue was an official at the World Masters Games and at a briefing from a woman from Ateed they were told that if visitors asked for directions to or from anywhere they must not use the term 'road works'. The correct term these days, apparently, is 'road transformations'."
