Regarding Sue Diehl's negative reaction to the portion of my letter about the Garden Theatre restrooms (letters, March 16), my opinion was intended to reach the "appropriate party."

I made my feelings known in a community newspaper. I am very sure that the management of the Garden Theatre building is now aware that at least one customer who purchases shoes from one of their tenants would like to be treated in a respectful manner. And that after making a purchase that allows one of their tenants to stay in business, this customer should be allowed to discreetly stop off at what should be a public restroom.

The day I asked for a key at the nail salon there was one customer with a manicurist on one side of the room and a woman sitting at a table just inside the door doing nothing. I sized it up and decided it would be appropriate to step inside the door and politely ask for a key. As my letter stated, this was before the sign went up excluding the public from using the restrooms. Therefore, it was unclear as to why the restroom doors were locked when they had been open previously. I did not and never would interrupt anyone doing his or her work.

I reject Diehl's intimidating remark that I "could jeopardize the salon's future business" with my "malicious review," as she called it. A salon employee treated me in a rude manner and I simply stated the fact.

If, as Diehl said, the salon is "constantly being interrupted by a continual stream of people asking them for the bathroom key," then why doesn't the salon take it up with the management and not take their aggression out on customers like myself? We're the ones keeping everyone in business there.

I would like to take the shallow-minded recommendation given to me and add it as the third line to the existing restroom signs at the Garden Theatre. The following would serve a better purpose: "This is not a public bathroom. Please do not ask for a key. Go to the bathroom before you leave home."

Linda Julian

Jonathan Avenue