Thanks Anyway, but He’d Confront a Rude Shopper

In “The Southern California Survival Guide” (by Andy Meisler, June 5), one topic was how to deal with supermarket express-line abusers. We are cautioned that we should “cool it” because, among other things, a butter-in-line might brandish a gun upon being challenged. The PR person from Albertson’s says, “The most important thing is to make things easier for our customers. It doesn’t help anyone to refuse them.”

I completely disagree with this approach to people who are rude and don’t care. What about those of us who follow the rules? By looking the other way when someone cheats, the market is not being considerate of most of its customers. A checker should refuse to serve a person who violates the 10-item limit and ask that he go to another checker. (If he becomes abusive, call the police.) If I saw such a violation, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring it to the violator’s attention. I think the likelihood of Suzy shopper brandishing a weapon is extremely low, and I’m willing to take my chances.

Jim Craft

Torrance

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I am upset by your use of the term “graffiti artists” in the category “If You’re Annoyed By . . .” People who deface other people’s property through the use of spray paint are “graffiti vandals,” not “artists.” How could anyone confuse turf tagging with the creation of art? Using the term “artist” only encourages this disgusting behavior and belittles the work of real artists.

Jeff Hansen

Lakewood