Leave Black Friday celebrations to the Americans

FOR heaven’s sake. When are we going to stop adopting the American way of life? It is hardly a nation we should slavishly copy. The latest incursion is Black Friday.

It has always been marked when a Friday falls on the 13th of the month. I kept wondering why various businesses were advertising Black Friday sales or specials this past week until I glanced at an American calendar. Puzzle solved: Black Friday in America is November 24. Is this just another example of crass commercialism like Halloween and Thanksgiving that we are now experiencing in New Zealand? Louise Joyce

Earnscleugh

BLACK Friday sales? (ODT, 24.11.17) Really? This is an American thing, the Friday after their Thanksgiving celebrations. What a load of codswallop! Next thing, the retailers will be foisting Thanksgiving upon us! Anything to make money.

Sylvia Clarkson

Careys Bay

Council survey

REGARDING the New Zealand Local Government Survey done earlier this year.

Firstly, I have worked for a council and know the importance of excellent customer service and attending to complaints in a professional and proactive way.

It therefore saddens me to read about the results of the survey which says that ‘‘Local Government’s reputation remains low’’ (28%).

It refers to reputation as ‘‘multifaceted’’ and ‘‘is concerned not only with perceptions about interaction (for example staff and processes) but is influenced by how Local Government engages, communicates and provides leadership’’. It is interesting to note that there is a local government excellence programme ‘‘Council MARK’’ (launched in 2016) which 19 councils (out of 78) signed up for as foundation members.

In general ‘‘Local Government NZ is working with councils to lift performance and perception of the local government sector’’.

Wendy Joy Baker

Nightcaps