GARRETT FITZGERALD,
Sir, - Cormac F. Lowth (May 23rd) told of his disappointment that books were glued to the shelves of a literary-themed public house. With all due respect to Mr Lowth, I think the problem is more a symptom of the state of Irish society, particularly Irish pub society, rather than of any over-covetous attempt by publicans to relieve tourist of their euro. In today's pubs most if not all decoration must be nailed or glued down in an attempt to avoid items being removed, abused, damaged, stolen or even used as missiles by some customers. Most pubs, and very many shops, have had to take extra security - these days a burly security guard is as much a feature of a pub as a beer tap is! Security is a necessity and a significant cost, and often great inconvenience, for many public houses. - Yours, etc.,
GARRETT FITZGERALD, Kenilworth Park, Dublin 6W.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Sir, - When did customers become an inconvenience? I have never experienced such contempt as I did this weekend in the city centre.
I was ignored by burly doormen, left standing in a queue while others strode past and into the premises with a wink or a handshake, only to be told, after spending 20 minutes standing in the cold: "Yer not gettin' in for another 45 five minutes, bud!"
My party of friends, all of whom were well dressed and well behaved, were looked up and down as we approached a number of pubs and nightclubs and not even given the courtesy of eye to eye contact. We were looked upon as an insignificant but annoying interruption to the bouncers' conversation.
With the admission price and cost of an evening's entertainment in these establishments, I do not expect to be treated this way by these "power trippers" on the door.
Surely pub and club owners can do better than this. - Yours, etc.,
CORMAC DE PAOIR, Wicklow.