To Nafari Vanaski, author of the column ” Rudeness in the ear of beholder ” (March 10 and TribLIVE.com):

Let me see if I’ve got this right: The request from an elderly gentleman that your husband not use obscenities in his wife’s presence was a full-blown insult worthy of a barrage of obscenities in return. But your husband, gallant soul that he is, refrained. How wonderful.

Using obscenities in descriptions serves no purpose: “Are your &#((*)## shoes too big, too cheap, the wrong style, or lost?”

Can you write a column without these words• Would you believe that I can name dozens of comedians who could bring tears of laughter to my eyes without using one of those words• Have great authors produced classic novels without them• Have gifted statesmen given inspirational speeches without them?

Here we have another plea for acceptance of the lowest common denominator. Next, shall we simply grunt at each other• Would that be enlightened progress?

Carolyn Clegg

Ross

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