Questions of Privacy : IF YOU FOUND SOMEONE’S LOVE LETTER, WOULD YOU READ IT?

Janet Witkin, Los Angeles, pioneer in alternative housing for seniors:

“Sure I would. I mean, I wouldn’t go snooping, but. . . .”

David Jensen, Los Angeles, hairstylist:

“Probably. And I would feel guilty, but I can overcome guilt.”

Ralph Keyes, Yellow Springs, Ohio, author:

“I would hope I wouldn’t. I’m afraid I might. If I didn’t know them, certainly I would. When I was in 10th grade, I found a piece of notebook paper on which one of my classmates had written about all of her sexual escapades. Boy, was that fun to read. She didn’t have her name on it. It was great fun trying to imagine if it was someone I knew.”

IF YOU HAD A FACE LIFT, WOULD YOU TELL ANYONE?

Witkin: “I’d probably tell everyone, knowing me. I’d probably discuss it ahead of time and see what they thought. Everybody knows, anyway. At least I hope I don’t lose my hair.”

Jensen: “I think I would. If you try to keep that stuff too secret, people are more apt to talk about it behind your back. I mean, I wouldn’t tell the world. . . .”

Keyes: “I wouldn’t have one, partly because I would tell everyone. I’m losing my hair. One reason I wouldn’t get a hairpiece is because I’d go around talking about my hairpiece all the time, which would defeat the purpose.”

DO YOU USE YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE TO SCREEN CALLS?

Witkin: “Sure. To tell you the truth, when I’m at home lots of times I have the ring turned off. It’s so precious to have time alone with the person I live with. We’ve all made ourselves so accessible, with car phones, beepers. Pretty soon you’re just going to have this phone on you. We’ll just need one number. . . .”

Jensen: “Yes. Our answering machine has my mate and me singing Cole Porter--’Night and Day, they’re not home. Please leave a message at the sound of the tone. . . .’ ”

Keyes: “No, and I really resent it when I (think) that people I call are doing that to me.”