Inconsiderate smoker
The UAE actively pursues a policy against smoking in public places, which is an excellent initiative. All, especially parents, should support it. Sometimes, this is not the case.
I live in Al Nahda area in Sharjah. Smoking is not allowed on the premises of the residential building that I live in, with my family. All residents are aware of it.
Despite the regulation against smoking, every morning, as I wait with my children along with others like me for the school bus, one parent never fails to light up a cigarette. This is not correct.
Recently, I requested him to move away from the place, as the children were affected. He refused and said that I could move if I wanted to.
He added that I could go ahead and take whatever action was needed, but he could not be bothered.
If parents behave in this apathetic manner how could we guide our children correctly? What do we do?
From Ms F. Hussain
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Paramedics to the rescue
Recently a colleague had collapsed in the office during early office hours. I really appreciate the quick response received from the Dubai paramedical team who attended to my friend.
They arrived within minutes, revived her and immediately took her to the hospital.
Our sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to the team members of 999 and all involved.
From Ms Mala Murli
UAE
Calling a spade a spade
I have been reading Linda Heard's comment pieces in Gulf News for some time now and I love them.
Her style of writing is simple and yet so effective. The articles never fail to deliver a punch and appeal to the common man.
I admire Ms Heard for her courage in calling a spade a spade. Though she is not from the region, she takes up cudgels on behalf of the Middle East with so much passion - it's praiseworthy.
The unfairness and double standards imposed on the Middle East by a few nations is an outrage to my sense of justice - a sentiment that I share with Ms Heard.
I look forward to more of her unbiased and balanced articles.
From Dr Samina Ramnath
Al Ain
Bottlenecks at Hor Al Anz
The new diversion in Hor Al Anz is causing considerable hardship to the residents.
It takes about 45 minutes just to take a U-turn to Karama as the entire traffic has been diverted.
While it is imperative to divert traffic it would be nice if the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) converted the paid parking area around the building into a free parking area, as otherwise the residents lose time if they park in the basement.
Additionally, creating a direct exit from the bus station at Hor Al Anz for Abu Dhabi might help as well.
From Mr Premi Mathew
Dubai
Solution to shortage of taxis
Given the acute shortage of taxis in Dubai and Sharjah, a simple way of immediately addressing this problem would be to allow Sharjah taxis to pick up passengers from Dubai bound only to Sharjah and vice versa.
The primary reason for taxi drivers refusing to pickup passengers from Dubai to Sharjah or the other way round is that they have to endure traffic congestion with no fare-paying passenger on board.
The authorities in both emirates could do spot checks to ensure that taxis from other emirates are not plying passengers from within their respective emirate.
From Mr Shyam Prasad
Dubai
More seats for women
I rarely travel by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) buses.
Recently, I had to take a bus from Bur Dubai to Karama. When the bus finally arrived, the seats reserved for women, approximately 16, were full.
However, there were a lot more seats allocated for men, who were also allowed to stand in the bus. The bus driver was reluctant to take any more women.
I request the RTA to increase the number of seats for women or allow women who are willing to stand to travel by bus.
From Ms Kamalshree Ravi
Dubai
Unaffordable rents
I shifted to Abu Dhabi a few months ago and have been under a lot of stress to find a reasonably priced accommodation.
A two-bed room apartment is more than Dh100,000 with the rents increasing every week.
The reason is an inability on part of the infrastructure to cope with the growing demand, along with the exorbitant commissions charged by real estate agents.
I request the Abu Dhabi authorities to seriously consider this issue and provide accommodation on a massive scale and at cheaper prices.
From Mr Ali Mir
Abu Dhabi
How safe is tap water?
I have been drinking tap water in the UAE for years and still see people filling a kettle with bottled water. Is there something wrong with tap water that we use at home and in the office?
Buying large quantities of water is significantly expensive while tap water is cheaper, readily available and to my knowledge perfectly safe.
From Mr Terry Shields
Abu Dhabi
Stop using plastic bags
Gulf News printed a list of supermarkets highlighting the ones that do not charge for plastic bags as if that were something to be pleased about.
The other companies should take a stand and stop using plastic bags altogether.
They should further encourage shoppers to use jute or reusable bags.
It's high time the supermarkets took their responsibility to the environment more seriously.
From Ms Sue Le Boutillier
UAE
Thank you, Mr Honest
I would like to say a very sincere thank you to the honest person who, recently, handed my father's wallet to the police at the Dubai International Airport.
My father had dropped the wallet in the car park, containing a considerable amount of money and we did not expect to see it again.
However, it was returned to him intact. We are grateful for this person's honesty and for the assistance of the police and Emirates airline, for ensuring that the wallet was returned to its rightful owner.
From Ms Elaine Smith
UK
