It is sad to read that the suicide rate in France is edging upwards, but your two articles about this topic strike me as misguided (“Bounjour tristesse” and “Hating What You Do,” October 10, 2009). The recent spate of suicides, both attempted and successful, at France Telecom may have to do with management issues, as you argue, but it is much more likely that this is another instance of so-called copycat suicide that spreads like wildfire under some circumstances. It is even known as the Werther Effect after Goethe’s famous novel that prompted many a puzzling suicide close to the end of the Eighteenth Century. Circumstances permitting, a veritable suicide fashion makes its appearance. In a few countries a suicide culture establishes itself, making it rather difficult to eradicate even in the long run. At any rate, the French had better pay attention to good management advice, but it is not very likely to have any effect on the suicide rate.