(Very) Modern Manners

IN THESE days of fearful sensitivity about names and titles, interior designer Nicky Haslam claims to have found the ideal solution.

‘I call everyone “darling”,’ the 78- year- old socialite tells me. ‘Even waiters — who probably think I am making a pass at them.

‘I like “mate”, too. I get a good response, particularly if I am wearing a hoodie.’

Haslam knows all too well the dangers of inadvertently causing offence. ‘I had to sell my house in Jamaica because I called a person serving me in a shop a “boy”. I said: “Can I speak to the boy I saw yesterday?” I was nearly lynched, as they identified “boy” with “slave”.’