What difference does irony make to the world?
Without it, storytelling would be far less enjoyable, if not lacking all purpose.
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
• With irony, you don’t take things at face value.
E Slack, L’Isle Jourdain, France
• The supreme irony is that so many believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing deity who creates man in his/her/its own image, has control and oversight of the universe, then just sits back to see what happens next.
Or is it the creators of The Matrix who are having a quiet chuckle?
Noel Bird, Boreen Point, Queensland, Australia
• It gives you a way of telling a truth and an untruth at the same time.
Pat Phillips, Adelaide, Australia
• It helps us cope with propaganda, and with world leaders who look backwards when proclaiming future greatness.
Philip Stigger, Burnaby, BC, Canada
• Ironically – none.
Jennifer Horat, Lengwil, Switzerland
• Not much unless you are steely-eyed.
Edward P Wolfers, Austinmer, NSW, Australia
• It puts ruthless businessmen close to dangerous buttons.
Charlie Bamforth, Davis, California, US
Through the drinking glass
Does alcohol give you a different perception of reality?
It sharpens the wit, and dulls its appreciation.
David Crossan, Wellington, New Zealand
• Certainly not. Please keep printing the GW on pink paper. I like it.
Giorgio Ranalli, Ottawa, Canada
• Reality does give you a different perception of alcohol.
Sam Hore, Cambridge, New Zealand
• Yes: that I am still speaking softly.
George Gatenby, Adelaide, South Australia
• Which r..rallity?
Heiner Zok, Schiffdorf, Germany
• Just a delightful unreality.
Gillian Shenfield, Sydney, Australia
Chapati strategy, and beyond
Which table manners are most important?
We expect our table to be respectful, and not to agitate too much.
David Isaacs, Sydney, Australia
• Keeping one’s mouth closed while chewing.
Michael Olin, Holt, UK
• Politeness.
Edward Black, Church Point, NSW, Australia
• Observe carefully and follow.
Tom Short, San Rafael, California, US
• While some, like only eating off the back of a fork, are counter-intuitive, the one that prohibits the throwing of food has merit.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia
• In our house, never attempt to use a knife and fork on a chapati.
Sunil Bajaria, Bromley, Kent, UK
Any answers?
Why do people hate waiting in line even though they’re not in a hurry?
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
At what point does something real become imagined?
R De Braganza, Kilifi, Kenya
Send answers and more questions to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com
