Aw, shucks

INTERESTING, the attitude our self-hyping, blow-your-own-horn journalists take toward author Jeff Hobbs: “Aw, he’s shy. Isn’t that sweet?” [“ ‘Tourists’ Friendly,” by Scott Timberg, April 23].

Hobbs would at one time have been called “modest.” Modesty: that means soft-pedaling your accomplishments; responding graciously when praised; resisting the urge to impose your “self-esteem” on others. Modesty is a virtue.

Virtue: That means ... never mind.

SYLVIA ALLOWAY

Granada Hills