Today, being the second Sunday in May, is Mother’s Day in the US. What is more surprising that the same day is also celebrated as Mother’s Day in over 50 countries in the world. Only in the UK, Ireland and Nigeria is it celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

Of course it’s totally over-commercialised and everywhere is awash with chocolates and flowers for “mom”. Everyone tries to get in on the act, as you can see by this email that I received from my local Mazda garage …



It does seem to be stretching the truth a little to suggest that an oil change will really make your mother feel “special and loved”. I’m also a little unsure why they offer this service at the unusual price of $24.88.

And what on earth do they mean when they say “What if you didn't have to worry about the noise she's not hearing from under the hood?”

As the ad doesn’t even mention anything about a car, I also can’t help wondering whether it’s lucky old “mom” that ends up getting a personal “lube, oil and filter” and a thorough “multi-point inspection”.