Polite advice

Sir, – Derek Scally's Berlin Letter (Monday 20th. August 20th), setting out the seemingly gruff German characteristic of forthrightness and directness, is a noteworthy contribution.

However, having both enjoyed and endured the Teutonic foibles of a devoted German father and a loving Dutch wife, for more than 70 years, I can cheerfully recall my Berlin grandmother's frequent advice to me as a boy – in French no less! — "Toujours la politesse!" – Yours, etc,

KLAUS UNGER,

Killiney, Co Dublin.