7 JUNE 2008, Page 71

Q. I have a suggestion prompted by the accurate observation

of A.G., London W8, in the 10 May issue, that people notice what one is looking at and naturally resent one looking at one’s watch. There is more than one solution to this problem. Instead of a watch, I use a multi-function mobile on which I can read the time after a little flip with a fingernail. The first time you say ‘Sorry’, as if it has vibrated and you are actually refusing to answer a call, and, on the second, you say ‘Oh b****r, I must learn to control this creature.’ Alternatively, you can learn to look at your timepiece while you are in mid-sentence.

J.G., Jolimont, East Melbourne A. How kind of you to supplement the published solution with your useful suggestions.