business

Previously sitting down for dinner at 5pm usually meant one of three things. You were going to the theatre. You had a toddler. You were of an age where you had a free bus pass. But now we are becoming a nation of early birds; 5pm is the new 8pm and restaurants are adapting accordingly. … Read more

A good mattress improves your sleep, say mattress makers – and they would, wouldn’t they? But they’re right. The older I get, the more I know it. When I was 20, I could sleep anywhere: a friend’s floor, a filthy sofa – even a phone box one night. These days, I won’t get a single … Read more

A few months ago, I was at a bar and hoped I might be making a new friend. We were sitting next to each other in a booth with a bunch of people. In response to my questions she told me interesting anecdotes about growing up, her job, her husband. After she’d been talking for … Read more

Passionate for fresh seafood, Nice Far away from the tourist traps of the old town, tiny seafood restaurant Coquillages Bouchet on Rue Rusca is a relative newcomer in Nice. Tucked away on a sidestreet near the port, the menu is short and the atmosphere relaxed. The young owners, Nicolas and Hugo, are best friends and … Read more

The prosecution: Elodie The present was a caring gesture whether we liked it or not. Returning it was rude – Max should fess up I think my husband Max has committed a big social faux pas, but he disagrees. He returned a gift – a ceramic bowl – my sister Ruby bought us for our … Read more

During my exchange year at university in Canada, I lived with a few Brazilians and we quickly bonded over our love of food. I’ll never forget the day one of them made me a carrot cake; he couldn’t quite understand the confusion on my face when he presented bright orange slices of cake topped with … Read more

Should I stop having sex with my ex? I recently broke up with someone who is fantastic in bed, and good at the fun stuff, but utterly incompatible with me as a partner. There was a lot of pain involved in finding this out. I’m considering dating again, but haven’t managed to stop having sex … Read more

Sometimes passengers congratulate Maria Pernia-Digings, 61, on her parking. When she tells me this, she tries to laugh it off as a tiny slight, barely worth commenting on. Others don’t bother to hide their shock, and greet her as they leave the plane with blunt amazement: “Oh, you’re a woman!” “It’s lovely. People are very … Read more

May is my favourite month. It looks great, for a start, with the best of the blossom and everyone wreathed in bank holiday smiles. If you’re in the market for a little treat to celebrate, look no further. I’ve got the just-loose-enough new-season jeans and the snap-up-now holiday shoes. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We … Read more

On Tuesday, the Thursday quiz celebrated its fourth birthday. Four whole years of this nonsense! What a joy it is to share the quiz with those who gather underneath it in the comments every week. But there is no time to get carried away with self-congratulations when there are questions to be asked. Fifteen of … Read more