Dear Heloise: The recent comment about folks grabbing the airline seat in front of them when getting out of their seats hit a nerve with me. As much as I hate to do this, I have no choice. If the airlines would give me enough room to stand up straight on my own without needing to brace myself to even get out of my chair, I would happily do so.

Don’t just assume that a person is being willfully rude when they have no other option. Let’s all be more understanding. Also, we should write to our government officials and demand more customer comfort! — Michelle, via email

Michelle, I’m sorry to say that comfort and luxury on an airplane is no longer a top priority. Operating expenses have caused airlines to pack the plane with enough passengers to make the flight profitable. Most people understand that it might be necessary to hold onto the seat in front of you to stand up. Just try to do so without ripping the person’s hair out! — Heloise

GEOGRAPHY SOUND-OFF

Dear Heloise: You are right to advise us to contact our school districts when we have concerns about our schools. Politicians mean well, but they do not have the knowledge to determine curricula. The lack of geography in schools is an example.

In 2002, schools began implementing “No Child Left Behind.” The mandate of only using highly qualified teachers to teach geography resulted in the subject being dropped by many schools. This is because it wasn’t required for graduation, and there are very few teachers with a teaching credential in geography. Our politicians meant well but created new problems with their untrained good intentions. — Former Teacher Sara D., in Spokane, Washington

Sara, I was sad when I learned that geography had been dropped from most classrooms. It was an interesting class and fueled my ambition to see more of the world. I’ve had teachers tell me that their students have no idea where the Middle East is or that they confuse the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe it’s time to reintroduce geography to our students! — Heloise

A BERRY GOOD QUESTION

Dear Heloise: I love to eat berries, including blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. I know that they must be washed before consumption, but I have heard multiple opinions on how this should be done, including one suggestion that I let them sit in water that is mixed with vinegar.

What is the correct way to wash them? I enjoy your column every day in the Arizona Daily Star. — Hector G., in Tucson, Arizona

Hector, one of the best ways to wash vegetables and fruit is with backing soda. However, you can use salt or soak them in vinegar. These three ways help kill any bugs and also remove dirt and wax. So many vegetables and fruits are coated with a thin layer of wax so that they look healthy and appealing to consumers. — Heloise

DRY FLOORS

Dear Heloise: After mopping, some people use a fan to speed up drying. Here’s what works better for me: I clean with a steam mop, which uses heat and water — no chemicals or spreading dirty water around. When I’m done, I place a clean, dry towel over a sponge mop and secure it. Then I go back over the damp floor to absorb the remaining moisture.

The towel quickly soaks up the water, leaving the floor dry, streak-free, and ready to walk on. No extra electricity, no fans, and no harsh cleaners — just a simple solution that works. — Debby Caruso, in Watertown, Connecticut

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com