I wish I’d known the French for doggy bag last summer (Will France learn to love its leftovers?, 5 January). When I deployed my best schoolboy French in a rural restaurant in an attempt to take away some leftover coq au vin, it gradually became clear that the waitress thought I wanted her to put it in a dog’s scrotum.
Gareth Cox
London
• Last June, on our way home from the continent, we spent the last night in our favourite small country hotel near Boulogne. We celebrated our final night on foreign soil with steak, but it was a bit too much for us. However, the young French waiter seemed to understand the term “le sac du chien-chien” and returned a few minutes later with the remains of the steak carefully wrapped in foil. It made very nice salad lunches for us at home the next two days!
Anthony and Kathleen Healey
Northampton
• The Charlie Hebdo plaque spelling error (G2, 6 January) brings to mind the story of a much-loved Yorkshire mother superior for whose headstone the convent’s nuns specified “Let Her Be Thine”. When delivered, it read “Let Her Be Thin”. The nuns gently advised the stonemason that he’d left out the “E”, and he agreed to replace the stone. Back it came a few weeks later: “Eee, Let Her Be Thin”.
Joe Locker
Surbiton, Surrey
• Criticism of Manchester United’s style of play by the Adidas CEO (Sport, 4 January) has me wondering if the Waitrose boss has any thoughts on England’s batting order for the next South Africa test?
Mick Beeby
Bristol
• Phil and Judith Ward (Letters, 7 January) will be pleased to know that, thanks to a new branch opening, they are now 100 metres nearer to a Prêt than they are to a John Lewis.
Nick Beale
Exeter
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