What is the biggest tip you’ve ever given anyone?
Watch out for the tip of the iceberg.
Jennifer Horat, Lengwil, Switzerland
• One that was given to me by the wise old housekeeper in my hall of residence. I’d been suspended and was bemoaning my failure at university. Her advice was “You’re only a failure when you give up.” I handed this tip on to a student in my first teaching job, and it turned her life around.
Ursula Nixon, Bodalla, NSW, Australia
• To a young woman in doubt considering marriage: “Do you think you will be able to face him at breakfast in 10 years?”
Philip Stigger, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Daisy’s Boy in the Cox Plate at Flemington races a few years ago.
Jim Dewar, Gosford, NSW, Australia
• A hot tip on a penny stock. But sadly, no more pennies from heaven.
RM Fransson, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, US
• When I once mistakenly handed a lucky recipient a $10 bill instead of $1. Or, if I’m similarly distracted, when I’m grossly shortchanged by a cashier.
Richard Orlando, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
• Never to accept money from strangers.
John Benseman, Auckland, New Zealand
• For the sake of your health, stop smoking.
Anthony Walter, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
• To a boorish waiter: get another job.
Tijne Schols, The Hague, The Netherlands
• My bedroom, to my mother who insisted on cleaning it.
Charlie Bamforth, Davis, California, US
• When you go to the church rummage sale, take your husband.
Heddi Lersey, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Perhaps, but I will opt out
Can suffering ennoble us?
Only in the course of saintly pursuits.
R De Braganza, Kilifi, Kenya
• Ideally, it can and sometimes does, but all too often, suffering makes the sufferer insufferable.
John Geffroy, Las Vegas, New Mexico, US
• Ask the Rohingya.
George Ellis, New Braunfels, Texas, US
• It may be one path to nobility, but I’d prefer to opt out.
Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia
• Try supporting England when they are losing another cricket test at Lords.
David Isaacs, Sydney, Australia
• Suffering is never noble.
Peter Reay-Young, Düsseldorf, Germany
• Only if it is rewarded by being kicked upstairs.
David Tucker, Halle, Germany
• Yes, but rarely. Everyone suffers: few demonstrate ennoblement.
Martin Skogsbeck, Mougins, France
We prefer to aim higher
Why can’t a woman be more like a man?
And what exactly would that achieve, as we have seen what a splendid job men have made of the world. It would be oh so good if the physical strength and buying power of men could be intertwined with the caring nature and ability to work together that women possess to give the world a chance. I realise this is a very broad brush I use here but these times call for large measures.
Doreen Forney, Pownal, Vermont, US
• As feminist wags have been saying for years, “That’s aiming too low!”
Beverly Houghton, Hanover, New Hampshire, US
• Because it takes a real man to build up stockpile of excuses.
Andre Carrel, Terrace, British Columbia, Canada
Any answers?
Why do cats have such a wide range of markings?
David Cockayne, Lymm, UK
What would make the Grim Reaper happy?
John Geffroy, Las Vegas, New Mexico, US
Send answers to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com
