The letter For The Attention Of Rude Shop Assistants (December 4) written by Ray and Joanne Kennedy reminded me of a similar situation where tourists were involved.

A fortnight ago, while waiting for a friend of mine on the City Gate bridge, I noticed a sparrow which was pecking a plastic-wrapped cake exhibited outside one of the aluminium food kiosks. Two old tourist couples passed by and noticed this crafty sparrow. As soon as one of the men took out his camera to capture this unusual scene, a young, fat Maltese lady came out of the kiosk's window shouting at the top of her voice that if the tourists were not going to move on, she was calling the police.

The astonished man tried in vain to ask why he could not take a photo, at which the lady started calling the tourist "Stupid! Stupid!" The tourists left in great dismay.

For me it was one of those occasions that made me ashamed of being Maltese, taking into consideration that I do all my best to help tourists during their stay on our island.

I urge all shop assistants to be polite with their clients, especially with tourists because situations like these do much harm to our already fragile tourist industry.