French finesse can deter buffet cravings | Short letters

Fining diners who overload their plates is one way to stop bad buffet behavior (Emma Beddington, October 21), but gentler solutions can be just as effective. The French are doing well. A favorite local bistro in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer has a sign at the buffet counter warning: “Gluttony is a bad vice. Please fill your plates in moderation.” It works: I have hardly dared to give myself a little extra cornichon with my piece of terrine.
William HamBevan
Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan

Four of us traveled from Essex and Suffolk on Wednesday with timed tickets to see Van Gogh at the National Gallery at 2pm. We were invited to stand in a long line around the block; it would have taken hours. We decided to ask for a refund instead. Attention art lovers.
Mike Fitzmaurice
Sudbury, Suffolk

I was pleased to read that medical records should be kept digitally (Wes Streeting unveils plans for ‘patient passports’ holding all medical records, October 21). It would save time for the nurse at my recent appointment who had to tape my old cardboard file back together.
Nicky Campbell
Macclesfield, Cheshire

Let’s hope the Home Office can show similar compassion to other asylum seekers (Paddington bear receives British passport from Home Office, October 22).
Pieter Gray
Chesterfield, Derbyshire

If Emma Brockes is looking for an F-word to describe the ex-president (the word “fascist” has lost all meaning. And Trump is using that to his advantage, October 23), what about Felonious Trump?
Antonius Bron
Oxford