Feedback | 22 January 2005

Slobs and snobs

Simon Heffer’s article (‘The slob culture’, 15 January) identifies a long-standing decline. I live in Bangkok, Thailand, and on Christmas Eve I was in the lobby of a five-star hotel where milling around were representatives from the Caucasian world dressed in subfuscous clothing, ancient jeans and T-shirts — the uniform of the Western world. Presumably most of these people were preparing to dine in five-star restaurants in the city or in the hotel, but they had not bothered or had not wished to change out of their poolside garb for the evening.
David Reade
Bangkok, Thailand

Simon Heffer caused me to reflect that, during 35 years attending the Royal Opera House, I have observed that the standard of a man’s behaviour is in inverse proportion to the smartness of his dress. The demeanour of corporate patrons (who always dress up) is sometimes disgraceful. People who do not dress up are always there for the right reasons and their conduct is invariably impeccable.