[Daphne – My personal battles are my own, Linda (is that your real name?). It’s other people’s personal battles conducted on this forum that are completely out of place. They are of no interest to anyone else. Kindly take it outside. Pick up the phone, use email, but please don’t come and quarrel between yourselves here. In any case, I think you are going too far. It doesn’t make sense for shopkeepers to fight with their customers. Let it go.]

[Daphne – I deleted it because I think you should take your personal battles elsewhere instead of using my site to conduct them. If you have a problem with X or Y, ring them and tell them, or email them directly.]

[Daphne – You never were my customer, Steve. But I am – correction, was – yours.]

[Daphne – Hundreds of comments for upload and a bit slow today.]

First of all, I was NEVER under the impression that a petty, vindictive comment like Chikka’s was ever going to seriously affect my business, and this I told her very clearly, though of course that, she did not quote.

To me, the fact that someone who I used to consider a friend woke up one morning and decided that because we have a difference of opinion (I am A political) she should do her best to try and damage me and my business, and that of my partners, is what the issue is.

Perhaps the time has come for us to go around Malta putting the equivalent of Swastikas or Stars of David on the doors of Nationalist or Labour supporters, or indeed of anyone who disagrees with anything we say, in order to ensure that they are singled out for having an opinion.

This is simply regression to the bullying tactics of the ’80s, but unfortunately Chikka knows me well enough to know that this will never work with me.

I have had a whole day of phone calls from people, of all political convictions, expressing disgust at this behaviour. It is very clear from the comment above who need to do the growing up. I have differences of opinions with loads of people, and actively discuss them on regular basis. What I do not do is make it personal. THAT’S maturity Chikka.

[Daphne – If you are addressing me, then I have no idea what you are talking about. However, it is always a good idea for shopkeepers to work out who their customers are. I for one have absolutely no desire at all to buy things from people who care so little about the economy that they vote or don’t vote out of spite and pettiness. By voting Labour or not voting, you affect the lives and businesses of other people negatively. So then don’t be surprised if they decide to shop somewhere else. It’s also a bad idea to be rude to your customers. One of the less appealing facets of being a shopkeeper is that people can say what they like about you but you’d be ill-advised to say what you like about them unless you wish to lose their custom – which, in my case, you have done purely on the basis of this stupid remark. I haven’t lost a voter because I am neither a political party nor a politician, but you have certainly lost a customer – not because you’re voting Labour but because you are rude and aggressive towards me.]

I am a Nationalist myself but I am sad to admit that it’s unfortunately people like you that make me second think. How could you attack other people’s businesses and lives just because they have there own beliefs?

Should all Malta follow you Francesca? It’s fine for you to voice your own opinion but it’s very sad to see you attacking other people because they have there own beliefs.