Madam, - Let me relate an incident that took place on Monday at the five-star Herbert Park Hotel in Ballsbridge where I had placed two of my business colleagues for a four-day stay. One of my colleagues ordered some jasmine tea. It arrived in a huge pot so, having finished my coffee, I asked for a clean cup so that I could share the pot. This was refused as being against hotel policy.
We sat there with our mouths open, not believing what we had heard. I asked another waiter who was passing and was again refused a cup so that I could have some tea. The manager was no better.
It seems it is not possible to obtain an empty cup without incurring further expense (which, I assume, is why it was refused). No wonder visitors find Ireland so expensive! - Yours, etc,
JANE STEPHENSON, Greystones, Co Wicklow.