Sir, - Joan Ledbetter (March 26th) is quite wrong to say that a smile costs nothing. Nor will its effect "transform a person almost like turning water into wine". This is the case only when the smile is genuine. Speaking personally, I find the American "have a nice day" efforts most unsettling and, given the choice, I prefer real gruffness to a fake smile. Gruffness I can deal with. Stepford wives I try very hard to avoid. - Yours, etc.,
David Smith, Harmonstown Road, Artane, Dublin 5.