Perhaps approach was off-putting

I read with interest the Tuesday letter from the reader who was upset that a uniformed member of the military dismissed his thanks in a grocery store. I was struck by the fact that the writer "beckoned her (the uniformed person) over" to thank her. What was the form of "beckoning"? Why didn't he walk to her in order to present his thanks? I know that I don't like to be beckoned by any stranger.

Could it be that the female service person was intimidated that some strange male was calling her over to his presence? Could it be that she was not offended by the thanks, but by the manner in which it was initiated? I too am a veteran and I thank persons in uniform. I never, however, "beckon" them. I approach them, assess whether I would interrupt them from their current task, and say a brief thanks.

Fran Lynch
Edmonds