Letters in VIEW : A Table in Nonsmoking

Marylouise Oates gave sound tips for surviving the rubber chicken circuit (“Tricks of the Trade if You’re Out on the Town,” Feb. 21). I’d like to add: If seating isn’t prearranged, add to your response card that you would like to sit at a nonsmoking table, should you not want to chance being sandwiched between a cigar and cigarette. And save room on the card for your food preference. Write in fish only, vegetarian, no salt, or whatever be your restriction.

At a recent banquet for more than 1,500 people, I found that write-in requests do work.

PAMELA LECHTMAN

Woodland Hills