Q. Since recycling was introduced in our village, the wall at the end of our drive has become the depositing point for some neighbours as well as for us. Unfortunately their detritus is not sophisticated and while our green boxes are filled with wine bottles of respectable appellations, theirs is crammed with cheap lager tins. The recycling lorry comes before our friends are up so I’m not concerned about them, but more distant acquaintances on their way to work inevitably see the boxes, and we can’t invite them all to dinner to establish our credentials. How can we persuade our neighbours to keep their empties to themselves?
— J.C., Taunton, Somerset
A. This is a non-problem. In fact you should be pleased. There is no point in trying to impress drive-by acquaintances with displays of sophisticated empties if you are never going to invite them to dinner anyway. Far better that there should be a can pile outside your home.
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