Plastic surgery is safe
It is the responsibility of the patient to ensure that he or she chooses a certified plastic surgeon who practises in a reputable hospital or clinic ("Lawyer fails to muzzle reports on botched liposuction", Gulf News, May 22).
I've heard of many people "shopping around" for the "best deal" in terms of prices.
We're talking about elective surgery on one's body or face; it's not about having a dress altered at the tailors and looking for a discount!
The old adage, pay peanuts, get monkeys, holds true.
People should stop looking for whom to blame and ask themselves whether they are willing to sacrifice quality, standards and, sadly in some cases, their life for a few thousand dirhams less.
From Ms Anne M.
Abu Dhabi
Dream come true
I was amazed to see a city bus stop right next to my building ("Sharjah city bus service takes new route of progress", Gulf News, May 23).
It was a dream come true. I request the authorities to print bus route maps so that people can utilise the services.
From Ms Tasneem G.
Sharjah
Curtail danger
A specific U-turn leading to the sewage treatment plant near Al Manama Street is nothing short of a death trap.
There is at least one case of an accident at that turn, every day. The number of residents in International City is increasing on a daily basis, with access becoming next to impossible.
Something needs to be done urgently to ease the traffic and curtail accidents at the aforesaid turn.
From Mr Richard D'souza
Dubai
Could get worse
The traffic has increased considerably at the Al Nahda Park junction, in Sharjah, to the extent that young children waiting for school buses are kept standing on the road for a long time.
I suggest that the authorities look into providing a signal/pedestrian crossing at the junction, which will not only facilitate the smooth flow of traffic during peak hours, but also make it safer for children trying to cross the road to have access to the park.
There are nearly more than a dozen buildings that are nearing completion, so the situation is just bound to get worse!
From Ms Meena Nair
Sharjah
Moved house, not car
I had bought a Salik card when I used to live in Muscat, Oman, before I moved to Sharjah.
On my request to renew my address for the same car, which I got from Muscat, I was told that I had to buy a new Salik tag as the registration number had changed.
Despite my insistence, the customer support staff refused to listen.
From Mr Mohammad Anas
Sharjah
Editor's note: Despite repeated reminders, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) management failed to respond.
Focus on quality
Residence is one of the biggest problems in Abu Dhabi. Prices are too high. A two-bedroom apartment is being rented for Dh1,60,000 but the quality provided is very low.
The building is old and apartments unclean. It would be logical to charge an exorbitant price, only if one provides high quality in return. Is greed the only factor driving this market?
These are issues that need to be addressed, especially if a value added tax (VAT) is going to be implemented soon. Any type of inflation has several reasons.
We need to identify those reasons and justify them. Otherwise things might get out of control, with a large influx of people moving out.
From Mr Imad A.
Abu Dhabi
Courtesy call
I had applied for an Al Shamil internet connection on March 8, 2008. The technical support staff at etisalat committed that the connection would be activated within a week.
I have still not got the connection. The least that could be done was for etisalat to call and explain the reason for delay.
I have called etisalat innumerable times and registered more than 50 complaints but with no response.
From Mr Ramesh Gupta
Sharjah
Editor's note: Despite repeated reminders, the management of etisalat failed to respond.
Better customer service
I thought customer service would improve once etisalat had competition to deal with. But it seems unlikely.
I am very disappointed with the service provided by etisalat's call centre. Despite numerous attempts to have my problem resolved they have not given me an answer.
All I get is: "We have referred it to someone and will get back to you shortly." They never do and probably never will. What could I do to have my problem resolved?
Do I approach the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA)? Customer service really needs to be taken more seriously.
I call on managers to empower staff and discourage them from avoiding customer complaints.
From Mr Burhan Kamal
Dubai
Editor's note: Despite repeated reminders, the management of etisalat failed to respond.
Unprofessional
A short while ago, my wife applied for a teaching position in a reputed school and went for the subsequent interview on the scheduled date.
Once the interview was completed, the interviewer presented her with the offer letter, instructing her to join on a particular day.
My wife insisted on joining a week ahead of the designated date, but was refused.
She reported on the first day of her duty and was shocked to hear that she had been denied the post. No reason was provided. This is absolutely unacceptable.
My wife was badly affected because of this incident. There should be better legislation about such matters.
From Mr Sanjay
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Blocked view
The parking situation in Abu Dhabi has become so bad that residents are compelled to park on the main roads out of desperation ("Dangerous U-turn on Al Wasl Road in Dubai is shut", Gulf News, May 13).
However, the parked cars block the view of drivers who want to exit from inner lanes. I was once looking for parking late in the evening and had to exit the lot.
After waiting until I thought the road was clear, I decided to drive on, since I could not see beyond the parked cars.
I barely missed colliding into a four-wheel drive, which would have hit me, had I not immediately reversed. The authorities should take strict action to curb this problem.
From Ms Samreen Iqbal
Abu Dhabi
Black spot sign
Trees take a very long time to grow and are a very important part of our environment.
Instead of cutting the trees down, can’t a traffic light be installed to make it easier for drivers to make a turn?
It is a compromise that is very essential, as we need to keep all our trees. Additionally a “black spot” sign could be put up at the place where the deadly accident took place.
This would alert motorists that someone had previously died there and would caution them to drive extra carefully.
From Ms Susan McKerchar
Dubai
Redirect the blame
The cutting down of trees on Al Wasl Road will do nothing to address the root cause of why such accidents happen.
Efficient traffic management and the monitoring of speed limits will do more to control collisions on the racetrack that we call Al Wasl Road.
Generally, roads in major residential areas should never have speed limits exceeding 60kilometre per hour. In many cases, even this is too high.
From Mr James Hay
Dubai
Trees are a factor
It is often easier to criticise others instead of addressing the root problem or finding an alternative solution.
I believe there are various places in Dubai where a motorist’s view is obstructed by trees or shrubs.
The city’s traffic and municipal departments must coordinate with each other and sort out this issue.
Of course accidents are caused by careless driving as well, but let us not ignore the other obvious reasons.
From Mr Syed
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Not acceptable
Blaming the trees for fatal accidents is not acceptable. Many European countries have avenues and boulevards with trees, and they seldom have such accidents.
The need of the hour is to consistently enforce traffic rules and encourage safe driving through the use of billboards and other means.
Motorists should make sure they are careful at all times. Additionally, some of the roads in the city are designed in such a way that they invite accidents.
Collisions are definitely not because of the trees. What’s next? Will motorists start blaming pedestrians who block their view?
From Mr Van Hove Rony
UAE
Investigate please
I would like to extend my appreciation to Gulf News for highlighting etisalat’s inefficient customer service (“ May 6).
Any etisalat spokesperson that claims all calls are answered in just two or three minutes should try calling the customer service centre number.
The ordeal does not end there. The representative transfers the caller to ‘the concerned department’, and no one ever answers the call.
I personally have had no positive experiences when calling 101. I think etisalat should investigate and do something about these inefficiencies.
From Mr Melvin A. Simon
Abu Dhabi
Solar city
In order to move toward green energy, Dubai should invest in not just wind power, but solar power as well (“”, , May 14).
It would be much more profitable and efficient for the city to run on solar energy.
With the large amount of power that solar panels make, Dubai’s buildings would no longer be engulfed in a haze. I would enjoy being in the city, just as a tourist would.
From Mr Samatar Ali
Dubai
Tax-free life
The introduction of the value added tax (VAT) at the start of next year is not good news (“Unwanted change for customers,” Gulf News, May 10).
People who opt for a better lifestyle will find it difficult to save due to the rising inflation and annual rent increases.
The upcoming VAT will be an added burden for expatriates, especially as there has been no proportionate rise in income.
I request the authorities to reconsider the decision, as a tax-free life is the main reason why so many visitors and residents are attracted to the UAE.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Ajman
