A nation’s thinkers
We need more people like Mr Gaith Abdullah (‘Institutions can foster critical thinking,’ Gulf News, May 3). Giving importance to critical thinking is a must for a nation. A nation matures and becomes complete when you have experts in all walks of life. These people should lead and develop industries, such as science, business, culture and the arts. After all, a garden with a variety of flowers and plants is always attractive. I hope and pray our beloved UAE and all Gulf countries encourage their residents to make this happen and carry out good work going into the future.
From Mr Zakirhussain Kakamari
Ajman
Website comment
A beautiful emirate
I have lived in Abu Dhabi for four months now and love the city. Coming from Australia I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a general love of the Middle East, so had good expectations. Well, I was right - it’s great. Overall, it is a very clean place. However, I think if the authorities saw the rubbish left in the pedestrian underpasses they would be devastated that nobody is looking after them. The pedestrian subways are in dire need of attention on a weekly, if not daily basis, to keep them clean. Paint from the wall, garbage and cigarette butts have accumulated in the corners and there is dirt everywhere. This is not a good look for the emirate. I like to go with my family on walks through the city and we use the subways. Other than that, Abu Dhabi is a wonderful place to live and work.
From Mr Wilson
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request
Be patient
I do not understand what motorists want (‘Phase 3 of Sharjah road works creates diversions on Emirates Road,’ Gulf News, May 5). Those working on this project are working extremely fast. Every day they do more and more, but we have to be realistic and understand that such projects can’t be completed overnight. I believe that only people without any life experience can blame the construction workers. I am a motorist and I congratulate those workers for the very good and fast work they done. My full respect to them.
From Ms Marian Sirbu
Sharjah
Website comment
Just business
Why should a customer be loyal to a bank when the loyalty is not quite respected (‘Bank loyalty low among UAE customers,’ Gulf News, May 5)? Many banks behave as if they are doing the customer a favour by taking their business. You can feel this attitude any time you walk into a branch for even a minor transaction. The banks seem to forget they are in the service industry and work for the customer, not the other way around.
From Mr R. Vasudevan
Dubai
Website comment
Pick one
I have found that this is a common phenomenon in countries where a large number of expatriates have settled. However, when it comes to permanent residents or citizens, the reasons may vary. The main reason most customers switch banks is a lack of face-to-face service. Customer loyalty mostly depends on this, rather than on the monetary perks and benefits provided by the bank. Rather than switching from one bank to another, it would be wiser for customers to choose one bank which has good credibility and good customer service. No matter if you are a new or old customer, stick to it, because all banks basically have similar interests and administration charges, as they are not independent bodies, and are regulated by the Central Bank.
From Ms Lilly
Afghanistan
Website comment
No contact
I have applied for a credit card from a bank and they simply cannot be bothered to update me on the status of my application, even after four weeks of calls, emails and numerous promises of call backs within 24 hours. If they do not want my business, then why are they bothering me on the phone day in and day out about taking their card? Banks need to get their act in order and decide if they want our business or not.
From Mr Prasanth Nair
Dubai
Website comment
No loyalty in return
I would add that there is no perceived benefit in being loyal to a bank when some of the banks here show no loyalty to long-term customers in return. You are evaluated unsympathetically by a check box form, whether you’ve been a customer for years or just walked in the door. In fact, new customers often get far more benefits, offers and options than existing customers.
From Mr Bruce Dauphin
Dubai
Website comment
What is the reason?
Banks should ask themselves why they have not been able to maintain their customers’ loyalty. I am on my way to my third bank now, which is incredibly annoying and time-consuming. It’s not because the new bank offered me something extra, but because of the extremely poor customer service offered by most of the banks here. In Europe, if a bank has done you wrong they will look into ways to compensate you for their error. Should we still be blaming customers for switching loyalties due to good offers from other banks? I don’t really think so. To open a regular salary account in the UAE takes so many documents.
From Mr Hisham
Dubai
Website comment
Editor’s note: What do you think of this page and the content featured on it? How can we change and improve? Share your views on the newspaper’s content with us on readers@ gulfnews.com or Facebook page. Follow us on our tumblr and Twitter account of @GNReaders.
