Editor's Note: Hundreds of Ann Landers' loyal readers have requested that newspapers continue to publish her columns. These letters originally appeared in 1999.

Dear Ann Landers: This is in response to "Left-Brained in South Carolina," who needed a solution for dealing with his scatterbrained wife.

Every incident he cited, from losing keys to leaving items in odd places, has been done by my husband. Whenever "Charlie" gets ready to leave home, he has to search for his keys, wallet, checkbook or all three. He is also a slob. Any item he touches will be spilled, dropped, torn, lost, misplaced or mangled. His study looks like a tornado hit it.

I am organized and neat and never misplace anything, but I am also bad-tempered, inflexible, demanding and a perfectionist. I hardly ever relax. Charlie is easygoing, laid back and not easily upset. Who really has it roughest at our house? — Another Left Brain in Redondo Beach, California

Dear Left Brain: I'd say it's a tie, but I'll bet your husband's blood pressure is lower than yours.

Dear Ann Landers: I am sure you get many letters complaining about rude, crude and abusive sales clerks. I would like to say a word in their defense.

My job is to evaluate clerks. I have a long list of people I observe, interact with and rate according to 30 factors. They have no idea who I am. I've been doing this work for five years and have visited more than 400 "installations," from small convenience stores to large department stores.

I have demanded services to which I was not entitled and asked for "extras" the stores were under no obligation to provide. I have been deliberately antagonistic and sometimes downright nasty. I once tried to return an item that had been purchased at another store. The clerk took it and gave me a full credit. I have yet to find a sales clerk who was crude, rude or unpleasant.

When you get letters complaining about sales clerks, I would bet they are from people who have tried to return merchandise that has obviously been used or for which they have no receipt, or the customer insisted the clerk take a credit card that had expired or been maxed out. Please don't print my name or city, Ann. It is essential that my identity not be revealed. Sign me — Mystery Shopper in the USA

Dear Mystery: It appears from your incognito research that the vast majority of sales clerks have the patience of Job. While a few may be surly and unpleasant, most people would agree with your assessment that sales clerks live by the motto "the customer is always right," even when he isn't.

When planning a wedding, who pays for what? Who stands where? "The Ann Landers Guide for Brides" has all the answers. To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

ANN LANDERS

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