Dear Abby: I sympathize with the student signed ”Upset in Elk River”
whose principal announced that he was going to remove all the doors from the compartments in the girls` lavatory because some girls had been smoking there. It`s been nearly 50 years since I entered 1st grade in a one-building Southern school, where I had to share a large restroom with girls from elementary, junior and high school grades combined.
I was from a farm and had been more or less isolated from other children and was doubly shy. The pain of embarrassment was far worse than the physical discomfort I suffered from avoiding going down to that basement bathroom with no partitions. I hated school for that one reason.
Thanks for printing that letter, Abby. I hope the principal in Elk River changes his mind and considers the girls` right to privacy. After all, the few girls who smoked in the lavatory will find somewhere else to smoke. But modesty, even that of one student, should be preserved if possible. There seems to be so little of it left in the world.
Also Concerned in California.
Dear Also: Hear, hear! Another Californian suggested that the principal leave the lavatory doors alone and install smoke alarms in the girls` restroom instead. Great idea. Where there`s smoke there will either be fire–or somebody smoking.
Dear Abby: I`m writing this while waiting for my husband to finish shaving and join me for breakfast.
About five minutes ago, I glanced out the window and saw 10 or 12 men exiting from a large van. They were nicely dressed, all carried briefcases, and were obviously a crew of salesmen. Within minutes my doorbell rang. I ignored it. My husband heard it and shouted, ”Will you please get the door!” I yelled back, ”It`s some salesman; besides, I never answer the door unless I`m expecting someone.”
He became very impatient with me and said, ”What`s the harm in answering the door and finding out what the salesman is selling?”
I told him I felt no obligation to listen to strangers who want to sell me something. He insisted I could always say no. Abby, this has happened several times in our 40-year marriage. I feel that this is my home and I don`t have to open my door to every person who pushes my doorbell. What is your opinion?
Jane in Greenville, Tex.
Dear Jane: Same as yours. It`s a wise woman who realizes that she`s no match for high-pressure, fast-talking salespeople. I admire their talent, but I wouldn`t want to pit my resistance against their persistence.
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