Two opposing views

LAST Sunday, you published a column, ( Priority Lane, May 13) The Kids, The Help and The Classy Traveller, by a writer called Snobama. The writer talks about the perils of travelling in first class and alludes to having class. Yet in a few sentences, she renders another human being as lower and completely unworthy of basic human respect due to social standing, wealth and job description. She means “maids, nannies and whathave-yous”.

In the same sentence, she also renders children as mere nuisances to be tolerated and only fit to be looked after by the hired help. The whole column left a bad taste in my mouth. It is this kind of elitist and superior thinking that leads to prejudice and discrimination. – Lauren Ling SNOBAMA ( Priority Lane, May 13) is a writer after my own heart. My love of flying is only tempered by my disdain of uncouth co-passengers. As a student abroad, I used to fly economy, a.k.a. cattle-class. But I deservedly earn enough now to be able to afford starched linen tablecloth and proper silverware on my long-haul sojourns on flat bed seats. While it is the right of others who can similarly splurge on the good life to enjoy the company of their loved ones, there are unwritten rules on etiquette that simply must be observed. If one would not deign to haul one’s wailing and whining offspring on a romantic date or while luxuriating at a spa, what gives that person the idea that strangers would be willing to put up with it. –