The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
Read this week’s new question: How is it physically possible to continue breaking sporting records?
I’ve heard that in Germany you can buy sausages in vending machines. What should be sold in machines that isn’t offered at the moment? Sybil Freestone, Oregon
Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.
Reasonably priced train tickets. EddieChorepostCome on – be sensible. I’ll take angel wings, magic beans and pots of gold but reasonably priced train tickets? Madness. RobRoy1975
Anyone who has travelled in Japan has encountered the ubiquitous jidōhanbaiki vending machines selling cans of hot and cold drinks. The hot coffee is terrible, but I’ve bought some in desperation on train platforms or in stations when the lines at coffee kiosks were too long. And, of course, having a can of Boss Coffee with the kitschy image of the pipe-smoking man (Tom Selleck lookalike?) in your hand is too tempting to pass up. Nancy Cadet, New York, by emailI was quite impressed to see vending machines with bottles of whisky in them in Japan. I suspect they wouldn’t have lasted very long in this part of the world. BruthaHave you seen the anime about the guys reincarnated in a vending machine that sells anything? No, it’s not a joke. I wish. Balcke
Mortgages for affordable houses? Girlyouknowitstrue
Books, preferably good secondhand ones. There’s no need for any more instant food gratification – unless the machines are in the middle of nowhere, like the ones supplying baguettes, and occasionally half bottles of champagne, which you sometimes encounter in rural France. Jane Reed, by email
There’s a wine bar in my town that has a wine vending machine. It’s lovely. Uphillstruggleuk[You] see them all over Spain. JohnH1973The first wine vending machine was made by Hero of Alexandria, in first-century Roman Egypt. Tarlachmoorhouse
When I was a child, the ladies’ loos in our poshest local department store, Schofields in Leeds, had a vending machine that dispensed a squirt of perfume if you put in sixpence (I think) and pressed a button. There was a choice of four or five. I can’t remember them all but my mother liked Yardley’s flower fragrances such as Freesia, while my grandmother favoured Lenthéric’s Tweed. I’ve never seen this anywhere else. MistyP
I think there should be cat vending machines. There is a glut of unwanted cats. Maybe another vending machine with plumbers … David Neville, by email
I would like small packets with a single nappy, two wet wipes, one soapy hand wipe and a nappy disposal bag – biodegradable if possible. To be deployed in baby changes in museums, rail stations, airports and all good coffee shops everywhere. Parenting is hard. 2opinionated
Cigarette vending machines were everywhere when I was a lad. Most notably on the platforms of the London Underground. BristolBoyThat brings back memories. Also, those machines on the platform that sold odd-sized chocolate bars – they were more square than the rectangular shop-bought ones. reggiepurrin
Seen plenty selling cheese and wine in France and Germany – even seafood. On a recent trip, we found one on Germany’s Baltic coast selling eggs and vodka – ideal for breakfast! David Bridle, Brightlingsea, Essex, by email
More than 40 years ago, in Strasbourg I think, we bought merguez in lengths of baguette from a machine. It was about the only thing available on a Sunday afternoon. More recently, we bought baguettes in a small village on the boulanger’s day off. I have also bought chips in Amsterdam – not bad. Janet Carne, by email