The recent lack of enthusiasm in redeeming the Snoopy figures from a fast-food chain is to be applauded. If my memory serves me well, the redeeming frenzy last year saw people queuing around the fast-food restaurants as if waiting for supplies during war time. People fainted on the spot, some dumped the food packs on the pavement, grabbed the figures and then went back to queue, some cut classes or even work to queue. I always wonder whether most were Snoopy lovers or simply opportunists moving their battlefield from the property market to the Peanuts field. The recent lack of frenzy is attributable to (a) better allocation and redeeming mechanism by the restaurateur, (b) the fact that Hong Kong people have realised that there are much more meaningful things in life worthy of the waiting game and (c) the fact that opportunists have lost their interest in the top dog. In any case it is good for those who simply want a meal from the restaurant and those who want to see a mature society in Hong Kong. JONATHAN MAN Cho Yiu Estate Kowloon
