In 1987, while writing her book The Politics of Breastfeeding, Gabrielle Palmer sought a photograph taken by renowned photographer Raghu Rai. The image depicted nurses bottle-feeding babies in a Singapore maternity ward. However, the £200 fee was beyond her budget. Determined, Palmer managed to obtain Rai's phone number in India and called him from the UK. Rai answered personally. After briefly explaining her work, she asked if he would consider reducing the fee. Without hesitation, Rai waived the entire fee, warmly adding, “and good luck with your noble cause.”
Vasectomy Reality
Norman Miller from Brighton praised an opinion piece that challenged misguided male beliefs about vasectomy. After his own procedure, a supposedly intelligent friend expressed reluctance, saying he wouldn't want anything that “messed with his boys.” Miller noted that aside from a painful week of walking like John Wayne, the experience of “firing blanks” was a pleasure.
Paperwork Strategies
Warwick Hillman from Pinner, London, shared his survival tactic during 39 years at London Transport (TfL's predecessor): a basket labeled “Leave it alone and it will go away.” He found that most paperwork issues resolved themselves when left unattended.
Arm Wrestle for Premiership
Les Bright from Exeter, Devon, suggested settling the prolonged Labour leadership contest in a scientific manner, such as an arm wrestling match or a card game—best of three, of course.
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