HAVING lived in the old county of Lancashire for most of my life, I feel qualified to mention a trait or habit that, in my experience, is more prevalent in the North West than in other parts of the country.

I refer to the habit of moistening one's fingers before handling paper or opening a plastic bag. Instinctively, the hand goes up to the mouth and I am convinced that people really don't know that they are doing it.

In shops, this applies to staff and customers alike and, while one would not presume to tell the general public how to handle their own goods, were I the manager of a large shop or supermarket, the first directive would be: Never, ever, spit on your fingers.

Does anyone agree?

J. B. PEARSON, Regent Street, Bury.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.