Too familiar, mate?

Sir, – It is disappointing to read that Denis Staunton became splenetic when an uppity cabbie addressed him as "mate" (London Letter, January 19th). The structure of a London taxi driver's brain changes during the gruelling process of learning the quickest way around the capital. The hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with navigation, becomes enlarged. Your correspondent appears small-minded beside his big-brained driver. – Yours, etc,

DORA HENRY,

Warwickshire,

England.

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Sir, – Listen, pal, get over yourself! – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL ROONEY,

Knocknacarra,

Galway.