The Overly Gifted

Narcissism lives and reigns right here in Hollywood (“Stand-In Shoppers Give Star Treatment,” by Patrick Goldstein, May 29)! No wonder stars are so spoiled and egocentric: gifts for their first day of work, as if their astronomic salaries are not enough.

What about buying books for an inner-city high school or giving a scholarship in the star’s name as a gift? Oh, but they already do charity work? Those elaborate parties where they receive more gifts, food and entertainment for their “contributions”--that charity work?

Narcissus was a Greek god who was so enamored of his own reflection that he could neither eat nor drink and so wasted away and died. Souls can die as well.

NATALIE ROESCH

Huntington Beach

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At the risk of sounding righteous: With your pages full of stories of Americans and refugees without homes, a piece about choosing luxury gifts for celebrities who have more than everything they need is inappropriate, if not offensive.

Would that the next millennium brings reports of a new trend in this country: the joy of giving necessities to those who lack them.

JACQUELINE OSBORNE

Venice