Girl power, we've been hearing about. I've seen it in action and it seems to herald the desire for women to abandon the title of "lady".

I see little evidence of real ladies any more and an unhappy example of this occurred recently when I was trying to enjoy a quiet lunch in a Brighton restaurant.

The next table had three men and a woman in their early 20s.

It seems incredible they could understand one another - they were all talking at the same time.

The girl's strident voice could be heard above the others and she must have thought herself extremely funny because she laughed every few seconds.

There was no concern for any of the other customers.

A few minutes later, the sound of a battalion was heard and in tramped 12 young Amazons (not one was under 6 feet).

Yes, they were all talking at once. After they sat down, the noise from them showed they had no concern for anyone else.

This, with the loud music, obliged me to race through my food to get away.

Clearly we are becoming a matriarchal society, like the US.

It wouldn't matter if people behaved with dignity - but they don't and won't.

They watch bad manners on television and, maybe, in their homes and perhaps feel this is a good way of living.

We used to sing along with Marlene Dietrich, "Where have all the flowers gone?" Now I'm singing, "Where have all the ladies gone?"

-Name and address supplied