Toff baiting

SIR – Lady Elizabeth Barne (Letters, February 19) asks how to retaliate if “toff-mocked” in hospital by those who hold one’s life in their hands.

Bullies – for bullying is what this is – must be stood up to. On one recent occasion in hospital, as I walked away from a nurse who had mocked my Received Pronunciation accent, I said, loudly enough to be heard: “And don’t make those silly faces behind my back.” I was not taunted again.

Elizabeth Roberts

Scotby, Cumbria

SIR – My female friends and I, in shops where our husbands are referred to as “Sir”, find it is rare to be addressed as “Madam” or indeed anything. Female assistants are the most culpable in this.

Rhonda Mccolgan

Aberdeen

SIR – On our first visit to the local fish-and-chip shop my husband asked for some lemon for the fish. Ever since, when spotted at the back of the Friday-night queue, the manager shouts out: “Lemon for the gent!”

Trish Broadley

East Grinstead, West Sussex