London buses and great expectorations | Brief letters

The concept of poor behaviour as perpetrated by those perceived as “other” is not just a contemporary problem (Suzanne Moore, G2, 23 February). As a student at a northern university in the 70s, I can remember cosmopolitan friends being appalled that we northerners had to have signs telling us not to spit on buses. Such crass behaviour was so unthinkable in the civilised south that no such instructions were necessary. Until I pointed out that London buses displayed notices informing passengers that expectoration was prohibited. An example of a superior class of poor behaviour in the polysyllabic south?
Austen Lynch
Garstang, Lancashire

• When I was a schoolboy, not only did the chemistry sets on sale in toy shops contain bottles of acids but they could be refilled at the chemist’s without question (Acid is all too readily available in the UK, Letters, 17 February). Moreover, our radio used an accumulator containing sulphuric acid, and one of my chores was to take it to the village shop to be charged. Many a pair of trousers had holes burned in the leg by the time I got home.
Jim Grindle
Formby, Merseyside

• Whenever I see the betting industry phrase “gamble responsibly” (Pie-gate leaves nasty smell, 23 February) it seems like an oxymoron.
Roy Kettle
Hitchin, Hertfordshire

• My mum, who was brought up in Accrington, formed the leftover pastry (Letters, passim) into a cup, added currants and a dab of butter (or marge) and let me roll it to form what I’ve always known as a “sad cake”. Still make them today. Delicious.
Clifton Pollard
Burnley

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