This is only slightly connected with Salinger, but I would really value some advice. I live in a big student house where rooms are sectioned off with very thin plasterboard. As a result, it is difficult not to know about what goes on in other people's lives. There is a girl on my corridor who is clearly suffering some kind of emotional distress - I hear her crying (really wailing) all night and then the next day she is really cheerful seeming. Kind of manic depressive symptoms, I guess, although it is a different kind of manic phase than my friend who I know is manic depressive. She is on some kind of medication which I assume is for this problem. My problem is, that I would feel much better if I could speak to her about what is going on. It would mean that I didn't have to creep around sort of pretending that nothing is happening, but I wouldn't have to intrude when there is a problem (I have offered my company before and it is not wanted / needed). But I don't quite know if I have any right to know what is going on. Would it be insensitive / selfish / patronising to ask. Should I just stay out of it. Should I ask? If so, how do I ask? Sorry to treat the list like a sort of collective agony aunt, but I am aware that there are people on the list who have experienced mental illness themselves or through others and so might have a better view on what to do. I hope this post doesn't offend anyone - I haven't really expressed myself very clearly. Sorry! Thanks, Lucy-Ruth ---------------------- LR Pearson, Arts 99 lp9616@bristol.ac.uk