To the author of “Mind Your Manners” (Oct. 29), BYU is the last place lacking etiquette. I recently returned from the former Soviet Union, where common courtesy generally doesn’t exist — frowning faces, pushing and shoving on buses and constantly being cut in lines.

On BYU’s campus, I have been pleasantly surprised at students’ polite and open nature. I can count on hearing “Thank you” when I hold the door open, and I can count on others holding the door for me. Nowhere else can I make eye contact with a complete stranger and get a smile and a casual “Hi.” If I am bumped in the hall, an instant “Sorry” follows. Students are willing to share notes when I miss class or to study for exams together. BYU is full of people willing to help and make life more pleasant for others.

If someone has a problem with current fashion trends, that is his own problem, having nothing to do with etiquette. As far as things like texting, guitars or laughter go, this is a college campus — you’re going to have to live with it! Perhaps the author would find more “acceptable” peers in a rest home.

So, in defense of the BYU student body, I would like the author of “Manners” to point out a university where the students are more polite than here. As far as I am concerned, there is no greater place to study than BYU and no better student body to be a part of than ours.

Nicholas Norman
West Point