Don’t let it stop you!
I continue to have bad experiences at an international fitness chain here in Dubai because of members with bad etiquette (‘UAE residents: Bad etiquette at gyms is unacceptable,’ Gulf News, November 4). My work schedule is such that mornings are impossible for me and late evenings, after 8pm, are the only option. Every member is given towels to use, but some plainly ignore the need to use them when working out or wiping the sweat off the machines after use! For some, they don’t realise they have body odour or smelly feet. It’s difficult to tell someone they stink like a skunk. What is more annoying is people hogging the machines and not replacing dumbbells after use.
Please don’t let these elements compromise your health and fitness. At the end of the day, you joined the gym for a reason: to become fit and healthy. I quote from probably the greatest bodybuilders to ever walk this planet: “no pain, no gain”. In the end, it’s your health that matters most.
From Mr Harin G.
Dubai
Website comment
Call the police!
I agree that there are problems at many gyms with the hygiene and the bad behaviour of some people. Just one question for Maneesha Phadke in the article: if that guy dropped dumbbells near you and the management didn’t do anything about it, why not complain to the police that he threatened and yelled at you? What was he thinking? That the gym belongs to him? The management should have done something, as this kind of behaviour is not acceptable at all.
From Mr Mohammad
Doha, Qatar
Website comment
Find your solution
Those who go to the gym for the real purpose of working out never complain about anything. My waist size was 38 inches and I decided to do three months of heavy duty weightlifting at the gym with a controlled diet and now it has been two months and my waist size is 32 inches! When you go to the gym, wear deodorant so you overpower other people’s smells for your own sanity. Use a towel and just place it on the bench so you don’t sit on a sweaty and messy bench. Also, buy hand gloves so that you don’t have to touch anything with your bare hands. Use headphones to listen to your favourite songs, so you don’t get disturbed by other people at the gym. People tend to complain a lot and find excuses for everything. There is always a solution for everything. Stop complaining and start changing!
From Mr Chethan Sharma
Dubai
Facebook comment
Do something about it!
Why is it that these gym members can afford the fees, but can’t seem to buy a decent deodorant? These are often the same inconsiderate people who have all the time to make phone calls, but can’t take the time to shower before or after. The gym staff needs to act to solve these issues and stop saying that they can’t do anything about it!
From Ms M. Joyce
UAE
Facebook comment
Nothing can bring me down!
This is why I always recommend assessing the gym before actually joining. It’s not a good idea to just take their word for it. Some gyms offer payments on a daily basis so you can try it out and see if you like it. You can’t go after each and every person who does something wrong. Better to spend that time working out instead of wasting it on others. As for me, none of it matters. I put on my music, do my weightlifting and adore my pumped up muscles in the mirrors. No sweat, loud noises or arrogant people could ever beat that!
From Ms Sarah Xandx Moe
UAE
Facebook comment
More important than ever
This new SIM card is great because there are many people who try to cut cost of roaming (‘New SIM card targets UAE low-income workers’, Gulf News, November 4)! In our globalised environment, phone calls have never been more important. Business is done all over the world and people travel as much as ever before. As a result, no one wants to see their wallets empty. Roaming fees are just too much and roaming prices have to be decreased.
From Mr Ringbe
Riga, Latvia
Website comment
Easier to call loved ones
This is a really good initiative from etisalat to think of gaining customers from the lower income brackets. Moreover, it will serve the labourers, domestic workers, drivers to make cheap calls to their loved ones back home. Nice move.
From Mr Habeeb Hassan
Dubai
Website comment
Hail the veterans!
The stunning victory achieved by Pakistan against the Australians in the Gulf was all due to the heroics of three team mates that are over 35 years old (‘Misbah-ul-Haq hails Pakistan’s ‘remarkable’ win over Australia,’ Gulf News, November 4). These three veterans are skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq Khan Niazi, star batsman, Younis Khan and late test entrant, Zulfiqar Babar.
Scintillating centuries by Khan, a blistering hundred by Niazi and two fivers by Babar now relegated them to the third spot! White-washed three-nil in the one dayers, the spirited Pakistani team has made the Emirates their second home after their government and the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused their tours as a result of the ongoing sectarian strife. The desert has been kind to them in test encounters, having also trounced England three-zero in a previous outing.
Several records, a first series victory over Australia this century (after a gap of 20 years) should allow the team to be proud!
From Mr A. R. Modak
Johannesburg, South Africa
The present Sherlock
I have been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since I was seven years old, and I have thought there must be some person out there who is similar to Holmes (‘Detective who won’t let the dead lie silent,’ Gulf News, November 4). I have found that man. His name is Israel Ticas from San Salvador. I read this story and felt inspired by his findings, his skills and his metal box stuffed with photographs. I wish I could be a detective, too!
From Mr Mohammad Zishan Valiyara
Dubai
A view all should see
The Top of the Burj Khalifa has been opened for the general public. The new observation deck is 24 levels above the previous public observation deck that is on 124th floor. Opening the 148th floor is welcome news for the prospective visitors and people who were keenly waiting for long to view the highest point from the Burj Khalifa. However, a lot are of the view that the charges of the entry ticket for booking are quite high. It is a matter to note that the earlier introductory prices for the observation deck on the 124th floor were Dh100 and now the sudden increase from Dh100 to Dh400 should be considered. I hope that the authorities could find a way to make the existing ticket within reach.
From Mr Mumtaz Hussain
UAE
If children ruled the world
As I lie in bed with the stars twinkling above my head, I think: “What if children ruled the world?” Well I feel the world might be a better place if children ruled the world. No longer will the adults scold or say ‘no’ to us. They would have to obey us, instead! If I ruled the world, then I would make sure that every child would get their wishes fulfilled.
There would be many beaches, fairs, parks and playgrounds where we could all play whatever game we like without having to stay at home. There would be new types of schools where robots would teach us, we could learn from computers and we would learn by actually doing things ourselves.
The adults would no longer be able to fight amongst themselves, create wars or cause pollution. We children would make friends with people of other countries and bring peace through our laughter and minds at work. There will be no more fighting, no more anger and no more hatred, as we children love to be everyone’s best friend and live happily.
I feel that this world would be happy and beautiful.
From Ms Rose Vincent
Dubai
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