What's hot and what's not
WHAT'S HOT
Politicians with a sense of humourHillary Clinton's having a laugh on the spoof website textsfromhillary.tumblr.comthat is satirising her. Our lot could learn a thing or two
Spring coatsLovely to look at even though we're still in our parkas, what with the freezing night temperatures
CobhIreland's loveliest town should be centre stage
Shabby chicThe smartest entrance halls have rugs thrown on unpolished floorboards
Paying the household charge, plus the €11 penalty for being lateThis is a backlash. People are bored with the protests.
Big knickersNeither fashionable nor popular – but remarkably common (thank goodness)
Pressure cookersThey're making a comeback, and so energy-efficient – if you like stew
Good Irish B&BsIt feels like being 13 and back in the Gaeltacht, with unlimited pots of strong tea and mounds of toast with real butter and strawberry jam
WHAT’S NOT
Helium balloonsParty balloons have consumed most of the world's supply of helium. Can we send Chinese lanterns up instead?
Thomond Park half-time queuesA stadium to be proud of, but with 20-minute queues for overpriced, sub-standard food and undrinkable coffee, something needs to be done
Sick colleaguesMartyring themselves to come to work while contaminating everyone else
Chancey waitersAsking for a wine recommendation only for your waiter to suggest the priciest on the list – nice try
Tea with the tea bag still in itWe know, we've said it before – consider this a campaign
The Discovery ChannelOf late, it's distinctly lacking in people discovering things
Mean drinks in pricey restaurantsAt €12 per cocktail, I'll ditch the giant piece of cucumber making the glass appear fuller, thanks
