How valid it was of B Wharton to condemn me for moaning about shop assistants and check-out people taking, doubtless with sincerity, an interest in the course of my day, and being concerned about my packing skills.

As usual, my comments naturally contained no hint of irony, ambiguity nor hyperbole.

For his information, however, I do sometimes enquire as to whether the assistants themselves have had a good day, as well as wishing them well for the remainder of it, though my occasional requests to employ their tannoy in order to reinforce my sentiments have, so far, been courteously denied.

I am in little doubt that such greetings lift his spirits and make lonely people’s (a category to which Mr Wharton may or may not belong) day for them, but I tend to purchase enough food to feed the proverbial army. In the final analysis, though, I humbly agree that I am, essentially, a misery.

DAVID DIMENT Riverside Court Oxford