Cell phone stuff necessitates a visit to Softbank my er service provider. I am accompanied so that I  can understand something – not that I understand much cell phone stuff in any language. After long discussions the phone man  surprises me by bringing out a big bag of rice, which he offers to me. I am taken aback.

Hi tech

Apparently I have accumulated 60 points that I can redeem for 6 kilos, er 2 bags, of rice or an electric fan.

Do you get  sacks of potatoes from your cell phone company in Britain, or a year’s baguettes in France, or 6 gallons of Cheese Whizz in the US? Why not?