copied to The Royal Gazette .

August 2, 2000 Dear Sir, Recently, while visiting residents of your beautiful Island, I had the opportunity to visit your Hamilton store to do some shopping. Having found an article that I wished to try on I approached a salesperson to be escorted to a dressing room; however, I was curtly told that there were no dressing rooms available. I asked if there were other dressing rooms in the store where I might try on the article; again, and more sharply, I was told there were none available and all were full.

I would point out, at this time, that the salesperson did not knock on any dressing room doors to ascertain if, in fact, they were free. In frustration, I took my article to another department, on my own. I asked another salesperson if there was a dressing room free and, although there was one available, her attitude was also unfriendly to me as a customer.

I did, in fact, purchase the item but, once again, the cashier was far from cordial; in fact, it seemed to me that all three people cared little whether I bought anything or not. In contrast your competitor, HA&E Smith Ltd., had helpful, efficient and friendly staff; needless to say on my next visit to Bermuda I will not be shopping in Trimingham's.

My understanding from my friends is that Bermuda tourism is constantly declining. It is my opinion that these rude employees are certainly not helping to resolve this problem if other tourists are being treated with this attitude.

NANCY NEWELL Wintergreen, Virginia