Sir – I was disappointed by Mr Farr’s response (January 12) to my letter comparing French TGV services to our own ‘Rip-Off Rail’.

I can only assume that he has largely taken the TGV services to Disneyland: it is my understanding that, on these trains, our French friends deliberately bring down the level of service so that the largely English travellers feel at home.

Ah, Disneyland. It is true that my image of young French women peeling grapes at your TGV seat is a fantasy. But the point is that, with TGV travel, it feels like it could happen. One can dream . . .

Anyway, back to facts. The first-class fare from Avignon to Paris is £43.50 — I have the ticket in front of me. Whether, at £49.50, the fare from Oxford to Paddington is an eighth or a sixth of the distance is immaterial — I have not walked the route with a pedometer (or pedantometer?). In either case, the difference in fare is outrageous.

I have great sympathy with Mr Farr’s tribulations on his Perpignan trip. I myself had a distressing experience when trying to purchase a ticket on Hungarian Railways. Despite trying to communicate in French, German, Italian, Spanish and English, I ended up in second-class next to the toilet. But a foray into first-class, a wad of notes in hand, earned me a splendid seat with food and wine service.

My tips for a good experience on the TGV: 1: Travel first-class 2: Speak French 3: Try to appear not to be English. In attempting this, do not resort to the disguise of the French onion seller’s beret and stripy jumper. This is an outdated stereotype and, anyway, onions are not allowed in first-class.

A final thought. Has it not occurred to Mr Farr that the smile on the face of trolley persons on English railways may not be one of welcome but of Schadenfreude . . . at the idea that someone is actually going to drink the liquid that they have the temerity to serve as ‘coffee’?

Nigel Clarke, Oxford