A Chara, - I felt saddened and somewhat distressed to read Nuala O'Faolain's article "Temples to trade where humanity is forgotten" (December 2nd). I would like to congratulate her for putting into words a condition which seems to me to have spread like wildfire around this lovely city of Dublin. I feel that we are in grave danger of losing the heart of our city or our soul, for want of a better word, with such an emphasis being placed on shopping as an end in itself.
For eight years I suffered from homesickness living in Toronto, Canada. I missed the ordinariness of my fellow countrymen/women the warmth and instant rapport we can often have with each other. I came home nine years ago and have not had one moment's regret, even though life has been difficult at times.
I hope and pray that even with this anglicisation of the shopping industry, we as Dubs will not lose those qualities which were so obvious to me as an immigrant in a foreign city. - Yours, etc
Woodview,
Lucan, Co Dublin.
PS: I always find shopping locally less hassle. It can actually cost less, and it benefits all to support local industry.