ONCE UPON A TIME in London SE20 I had an overwhelming taste for a lardycake – a large butter and sugar soaked bun – and popped into a small bakery. The baker remarked “you’re a Hampshire Hog aren’t you?’’ I did not fall back or be on my guard, I did not feel threatened, I felt a pleasant feeling of being recognised from whence I came. NOW, if I had entered that bakery and he said with a sneer or a threat in his eyes “you’re a Hampshire Hog’’ then I would have been concerned.

With most verbal greetings it is not a matter of what you say, it is how you say it. Most of us like to guess where that person comes from. Other countries are the same, but some people may have a sensitivity or a chip on their shoulder and ignore the intonation and facial movements – it’s not a matter of what you say it is how it is said.

Again, remember the old chestnuts when comedians use to joke about the Welsh, Irish, Scotland and the English were knocked – it was the base of all jokes – we laughed and understood and took it for what it meant and without rancour. Sadly now, this is not so because we’are all afraid of saying the wrong thing.

On the camcorder Prince Harry sounded a caring humour for those around him and should not be judged by what he said but take in a certain warmth and comradship. It is, with sadness, that certain countries misconstrue even the most polite introductions – please do not make this a political issue. We are losing one of our most treasured institutions – humour.

J. MOORBY, Southampton.