Of course, I am just generalising; this type of behaviour isn't limited to just the Japanese and certainly not just women either.

Jon Yau, Tai Po

What do you think of the parks of remembrance?

I welcome the plan for scattering ashes over the parks of remembrance. It not only eases the shortage of urn storage spaces but also is environmentally friendly and economical.

Having my ashes laid in a tranquil, exquisite garden would be a perfect end to my life, seeing that I can return to Mother Nature where I was born.

Besides, I can devote myself to her as the nourishment of plants. My spirit lies in the trees everlastingly.

Name and address supplied

Are you satisfied with Hong Kong's taxi services?

A taxi driver's income is low. On top of that, some give discounts to attract more customers, a practice that is actually against the law. But why are customers not forcing other transport like the MTR, buses and minivans to provide discounts?

Is it because taxi drivers operate individual businesses and are more prone to pressure? If yes, we are very wrong. If we think taxi fares are too high, we should protest against it legally. In general, taxi drivers are good because they are responding to economic reality.

Derek Chan, Ho Man Tin

I have two complaints concerning the inadequate provision of taxi services.

There is no cross-harbour taxi stand at the China Hong Kong City ferry terminal interchange. I checked via the Transport Department inquiry hotline and I was told the nearest cross-harbour taxi stand is in Hankow Road. This is very far away, especially with luggage, and obviously unacceptable.

As the China Hong Kong City ferry terminal is a major entry point for overseas businesspeople, tourists and local travellers alike, there is clearly a need to have a cross-harbour taxi stand to meet the needs of people who pass through the ferry terminal every day and who live or work on Hong Kong Island.

Every other entry point into Hong Kong (with perhaps the exception of the border entry points) has a cross-harbour taxi stand (for example, the airport, the Macau ferry terminal and the Hung Hom KCR station).

I would therefore like to know why it has been decided not to allow the operation of a cross-harbour taxi stand within this very important entry point to the city. It needs to be arranged immediately.

There are many taxi drivers who tout illegally for business to go to the airport, asking people lining up at the only taxi stand in the China Hong Kong City ferry terminal interchange.

Why is this allowed to happen? I believe that for a taxi to openly tout for business is illegal. It is very frustrating to have to wait in a very long line to get a taxi on a busy evening when there are available taxis, but only waiting to pick up people going to the airport.

I would suggest the creation of a Hong Kong airport taxi stand alongside the cross-harbour taxi stand that is so badly needed.

Gordon Pirie, Mid-Levels

On other matters ...

I think it's absurd that skin whiteners are so popular in Hong Kong when Chinese women already have fair skin - is it the yellow tinge in their oriental complexions they want to eradicate? ('Cosmetic whitener with a tinge of shark gets easily under the skin,' CitySeen, yesterday).

Obviously the colonial mentality still exists here since so many women (and a few men) also ape western hair colours - just look at the number of ersatz blondes walking around who think they're 'cool'.

The inferiority complex about dark skin tones is even stronger in the Philippines. Filipinos covet fair skin as they think it distinguishes them from the ordinary brown-skinned natives.

Indeed the most popular film actresses and actors are mestizo-types who like to be compared with Hollywood stars. As for killing sharks, I hope the Peta folks mount a campaign against this stupid trade.

R. Lopez, Wan Chai

I was recently told off for allowing my four-year-old son to ride his bicycle in Wan Chai Park. Would the relevant authorities please tell me where it is both safe and legal for a child, and indeed an adult, to ride a bicycle?

Further, would they please inform me, through this column, as to why such pandering is made to people who insist on being conveyed by motorised tin cans while pedestrians are increasingly forced into tunnels or onto bridges choked with fumes from the vehicles below.

N. Millar, Mong Kok