Thanks to Alexis Petridis (Anarchy in High Wycombe! The real story of the Sex Pistols’ earliest gigs, 9 June), I can now convince my grandchildren of my attendance at one of the first Sex Pistols gigs. In fact, if I hadn’t agreed to be in attendance that night – I was serving behind the bar – the party that Shanne Bradley describes would not have taken place. The student union was only allowed to hold dances if a senior member of staff was in attendance. All I can remember is an absolute racket and a lot of pogoing.
John Evans
Retired vice-principal, St Albans School of Art
• Re tipping habits (Germans best tippers in Europe, finds poll. Italians? Not so much, 10 June), in Italy, the downturn in the economy has meant that many trattorie have closed down or are no longer family-run, and so the staff may be more reliant on tips. However, some years ago we tried to leave a tip in a restaurant run by a family and the owner handed it back, almost as if he was insulted.
Patricia Borlenghi
Vernasca, Italy
