Not our fault
I have been driving in the UAE for the past 10 years. Once, while on my way to Sharjah from Dubai, I was driving at a speed limit of 10 to 20 kilometres per hour, owing to the heavy traffic. Suddenly, a van hit my car, causing me to hit the car in front of me. When we asked the driver what had happened, he replied that his car had no brakes, and that his company was unwilling to pay for new brake pads. Due to the accident, my vehicle got written off. The loss incurred was by me and the other two drivers because of someone else's error!
From Mr Abdul Wahab Moopan
Dubai
Irresponsible behaviour
A short while ago, while travelling in a public transport bus, I saw a person trying to damage the seat. When I asked him why he was doing it, he replied by saying that it was none of my business. He then proceeded to write something at the back of the seat. I had to get down as I had reached my destination. However, I would request the authorities to curb such irresponsible behaviour.
From Mr Abhishek D. Chaturvedi
Dubai
Necessities
The rent of a two-bedroom apartment, in a 10-year-old building, would have been Dh45,000 three years ago. The same now costs Dh120,000. If a product costs Dh10, it is logical for the selling price to increase to Dh13, which is by 30 per cent, but not by Dh100. A house is not a product, it's a necessity.
From Mr Sameer Qasim
Abu Dhabi
Study the impact
I respect the right of others not to smoke, but our rights to smoke must also be respected ("Dubai to stub out smoking in public parks", Gulf News, August 5). Parks are open areas. Smoke can't really harm or even reach families sitting in an open area. It's not about just setting rules without studying the impact. It's also about respecting freedom.
From Mr Amro
Dubai
Immediate action
More people would support the ban on smoking if it were strictly imposed in bus stops. It's unfair for people to have to deal with insensitive smokers, as they already have to wait under hot and humid weather conditions for their bus to arrive. Such people are forced to inhale passive smoke. The authorities must take immediate action against such inconsiderate people.
From Mr Siraj Al Deen
Dubai
Smoking at home
The proposed ban would only decrease the number of smokers in public areas, as they would still find a way out. They will probably start smoking at home just like my flatmates do.
From Ms Analiza
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Acting fast
I am seven years old ("Schools in UAE will open on August 31 despite postponement pleas", Gulf News, August 5). My mother says that I would have to fast this year. I think I may not be able to because of the heat and high humidity, which would lead to dehydration. I ask the authorities to please reopen schools only after Ramadan.
From Ms Rufeada
Sharjah
Might faint
I am a grade six student. If the schools start on August 31, which also coincides with Ramadan, most of my Muslim classmates, who will be fasting, will faint because of the heat and high humidity. Please consider reopening schools after Ramadan.
From Ms Nikita
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Editor's note:
Do you have a child at school? How does the decision impact you? For more comments or to join the debate, log on to www.gulfnews.com
Unbelievable
I tried to withdraw some money from an Emirates Bank ATM near my office on Muraqqabat Road, recently. The machine gave me an error. I tried again, choosing three different options, but with the same result. The next day, as I had some work in the Mall of Emirates, I visited the bank's branch there, where the ATM gave me the same error. As I was withdrawing money through a cheque from the counter I mentioned my problem to the executive. He looked non-interested and casually told me to call the tele-banking department. I contacted the department, but when my call was finally answered after a long wait the representative said that the issue was "due to the month ending, and additional load on the ATMs, with too many customers trying to access it". He added that he had received similar complaints from other customers as well, asking me to wait and stating that it would be fine in a few working days. Having worked in India with an ATM manufacturing company, I don't believe this argument. I just feel sorry for the bank. If it can't handle the load why does it open new accounts?
From Mr Inam Abidi
Dubai
The management at Emirates Bank's replies:
We have contacted the customer and he has been serviced to satisfaction. The technical problem faced then probably pertains to the high pressure on the network. There seems to be no problem with either his card or his account.
Held up
I had booked two tickets from Dubai to Kochi, in India, on Al Jazeera Airways as my daughter had to appear in an exam. A day before our flight was due, I received a text message from Al Jazeera informing me that the flight has been cancelled. They have not refunded me for the ticket. I tried to contact them in Kuwait and in Dubai and was finally able to register a complaint after a long wait. Now the management says I have to send my bank statement to prove I have not been refunded. I have sent them all the documents but am still waiting for my money to be returned.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Editor's note:
Despite repeated reminders, the management at Al Jazeera Airways failed to respond.
