These unnerving anthropomorphic pears, shaped during initial stages of growth using special moulds, were seen at a supermarket in Beijing and are called "happy/joyful doll pears". Photo / Supplied
Really 'clipping the ticket'
If the lawyers launching the class action over unreasonable bank fees want another cause to champion, they could try challenging ticket delivery fees. A Westmere reader bought a match pass for the third cricket test and was asked for a $5.25 transaction fee to email the
tickets (how much does it cost to send an email then?), or $8.25 for them to put a 60c stamp on an envelope and send them by snail mail which, they say, takes 10 working days. Is this where the expression "clipping the ticket" came from?
Parent pleading stupidity
"When my son (now in his 30s) was about 9, he complained about being pushed around by some kids at school," writes David from Auckland. "Without spending too much time thinking about it, and as a strong believer in standing up to bullies, I said 'Get a quick punch or slap to the face in first, if you get lucky the kid will get a nose-bleed, fight over, they'll leave you alone'. About a week later I got a call from the school. Tense meeting with headmistress. My son had followed my advice. Problem? The 'bully' was a small but stroppy 7-year-old girl. I gave my son a look that said 'Really?' He burst into tears. 'But Dad, I just did what you told me to do if someone pushed me ... '
Expulsion narrowly avoided by pleading stupidity on part of parent."
