Rants & Raves: Beggars can't be choosers

Some beggars are choosers according to a reader. Photo / Michael Craig

Tell us what you love about life in New Zealand - and what needs to change. Email rantandrave@nzherald.co.nz.

Rant
Here's a funny rant. Walking out of New World Metro, I decided to give my spare change to an old fellow who was sitting there with his hat asking for money. Once I dropped my spare coins, the guy counted it and said, "Is that all?" He didn't find it amusing when I asked for it back. Clearly the old saying "Beggars can't be choosers" doesn't apply to him!
Josie

Rave
A few weeks back I purchased a rather pricey umbrella from NZ company Blunt. After delivery, however, I noticed that there was a small pin protruding that could potentially damage the fabric so I let them know. The original designer/owner of the company immediately got in touch with a spare part, but then delivered a new umbrella he'd brought me back from a visit to the overseas factory! Absolutely blown away by the response to my minor complaint - superb customer service and dedication to quality.
Jon

Rant
Driving my kids to school, I saw a bus so full of schoolchildren that they were standing from the middle right up to the front - one with his face practically on the windscreen. How is this safe? Maybe putting on more buses would help. Would not like to be those kids if the driver had to break suddenly.
Heidi

Rave
To the good Samaritans Tony and Helen of Massey, who saw me stuck on the side of the road with my bicycle just past Helensville after sunset on Sunday wondering how I was going to get back to Auckland on a dark night without becoming roadkill. You were outstandingly generous in picking me up and driving me all the way home. You have my eternal gratitude.
Mike

Rant
There seem to be two types of drivers: those who correctly drive on to the stripes when using flush medians and right-turn bays and those who regard it as a mortal sin to ever drive on to white stripes. The latter block the traffic at flush medians and nearly crash into those on the stripes as they turn at the last minute to get through the little gap at the front of the right-turn bay.
John

Rave
Thanks to the wonderful man at Auckland Airport security check-in on Sunday morning who came looking for us to deliver back to my mother the bangle she had left in the tray - so grateful, as this would've been heartbreaking to lose.
Carolyn