New Rules for Gentlemen

To the editors:

Melissa R. Langsam's commentary "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" (Jan. 9) advises men who wish to be gentlemanly to "walk on the street side of the sidewalk." This tip captures an ideal of the past--but only in form, not in spirit. Years ago, careening carriages and muddy streets threatened the pedestrian who walked on the street side of the sidewalk. Today, as some etiquette guides point out, the more immediate threat for female pedestrians often comes from dark alleyways on the "woman's" half of the sidewalk. EMILY R. SADIGH '99   Jan. 11,1998