A Touch of Thoughtful Affection this Valentine’s Day | Concise Messages

In an unmistakable sign of the times, I had quite the surreal experience on Saturday. As I settled into my Smart #1, the car greeted me with a cheery “Love is in the air,” followed by a warm Valentine’s Day wish. This strange interaction pushed me to take a stand; I resolved not to engage with the vehicle for the balance of the day.
Ray Woodhams
Cawthorne, South Yorkshire

In an intriguing personal experiment, I attempted to go an entire day without expressing gratitude. However, instead of feeling liberated, I ended up feeling quite miserable and unappreciative (The hill I will die on: Britons love saying thank you – I think we should ban the phrase, 7 February). Subsequently, I reverted to my more generous self, feeling much better once I resumed saying “thank you” whenever someone did something kind for me.
Roger Mears
London

A recent letter regarding bedtime stories (Letters, 13 February) stirred memories of my vacation in Oban, Scotland. Upon entering our hotel room, I was taken aback to find what appeared to be a pregnant woman nestled in our bed. Upon closer inspection, this bizarre sight turned out to be a large wire cage fitted with an infrared light bulb for preheating the bed. Adding to the peculiarity was a sign that prohibited sleeping alongside the peculiar device.
Steen I Petersen
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

In response to Manju Ghosh’s inquiry about where to obtain £2 coins (Letters, 10 February), I would like to recommend checking out the Big Issue vendor near the iconic Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London. Just last Saturday, I received a £2 coin in change there—the first one I had encountered in quite some time.
Barry Neville
Wokingham, Berkshire

On the topic of orderly lines at pubs (12 February), I always make a significant effort to maintain my pees and queues. It’s essential to uphold a sense of decorum, especially in places where camaraderie flourishes over drinks.
Mick Beeby
Bristol