Table talk
Look but don't touch
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has asked Deep Sea World in North Queensferry, Fife, to stop serving fish in its restaurant. In a letter to the aquarium's chief executive, Stuart Earley, PETA director Dawn Carr said: "Your aquarium purports to be a place where one can learn about and admire fish. But how can anyone stand in awe of these glorious, fascinating creatures and then head over to the cafeteria and stick a fork in them?" Earley responded: "Scotland's national aquarium attracts a huge range of different visitors and we feel they have the right to free choice. In addition to meat and fish dishes, we have a choice of vegetarian dishes each day and are confident that we provide something for everyone, whatever their culinary or political persuasion."
Knows football?But he supports West Brom…
TV Comedian Frank Skinner is the ideal dinner guest, according to a poll of the Lancashire-based Hi-Life Diners club, which has more than 60,000 members. In an online survey, 46% voted for Skinner, mainly because he is considered to be "a good laugh who can chat about football". Victoria Beckham and Kylie Minogue came second and third, presumably because they also know a lot about football and are amusing company. William Hague (the former Tory party leader, in case you've forgotten) received 64% of votes as the most undesirable dining companion.
Left - to their own devices
Raven Hall country house hotel near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, produced a special code last week for conference delegates using the hotel on International Left-Handers Day, which fell on 13 August. All service at meals was from the right - to avoid left-handed guests bumping waiters as they served. Water glasses were set to the left, and left-handed conference notepads were in use. A complimentary meal and drink was given to all left-handers on the day. Owner Doreen Gridley said: "There are many minorities in business, but we want to recognise that left-handed delegates can often feel ‘left out'."
McDonald's manager will be eating in for some time
Are McDonald's restaurant managers paid enough? Florida police were called to an armed robbery at a McDonald's in Tampa where two men, one with a handgun, the other with a butcher's knife, got away with $250 after forcing the manager to empty the safe. But one of them was recognised by staff who told the police where to find him. Officers went to nearby St Petersburg to arrest 25-year-old Slater Smith at work - at the local McDonald's, where he was the manager.
Perhaps they were all on a coffee break
For a second, there was a glimmer of hope of speaking to a human after a series of touch-dial options led to yet more recorded messages while calling Coffee Republic's head office the other day. An annoyingly chirpy recording eventually promised to put the caller through to a receptionist. Hoorah! Alas, the final message announced that staff would be "back in January". Later, a sheepish (and real) receptionist admitted that it was an old message - and, far from taking a very early Christmas holiday, the staff were all still very much in situ.
