on the mornings when I don't work I watch silently as my comely Hanoi hotel maid makes up the bed...I gave her a nice, recently purchased avocado once in appreciation of her efforts...

Is 'giving someone an avocado' some sort of American euphemism?

recently purchased

There is something about you guys shaking a duvet that gives me a little squigle up my spine!!!!!!!!

on the mornings when I don't work I watch silently as my comely Hanoi hotel maid makes up the bed...I gave her a nice, recently purchased avocado once in appreciation of her efforts...

Is 'giving someone an avocado' some sort of American euphemism?

recently purchased

...as usual, tutsi's wholesome intentions are besmirtched by local degenerates...however there is the saying 'ye can't make guacamole without mashing up avocados...' an' giving someone an avocado could, I suppose, be interpreted as wanting to get it on...

however, I thought that we were talkin' about makin' up de bed over here...

The best way is to buy your duvet covers from Ikea. They have small holes at both sides of the top of the cover. You just feed the top ears of the duvet into the holes and give it a good shake. It drops into the rest of the cover automatically.

Having worked for Swedish construction companies for a dozen years, this is normal.

Except that I put my hands through those holes, grasp the ears of the duvet and shake the whole cover down over the duvet.

Currently I live in an apartment previously tenanted by a Korean, so the bed is only just off the ground. Turning the matress is the fun part - very likely to put your back out if you try it by yourself (2m x 2m matress).

Sheets - fitted sheets. Start by anchoring the top two corners, then the bottom two. Then add duvet. Launder every four or five days, it's hot and humid in Saigon.

Had to learn " Hospital corners " in the jolly military. Once learned never forgotten.