Is your employee okay?
Recently, while out shopping at a centre in Sharjah, I witnessed a very disturbing incident. The butcher at the centre's meat section was badly infected with flu. He kept sneezing and cleaning his nose with his bare hands while chopping the meat at the same time. He seemed rather irritated when we tried speaking to him. Since we were in a hurry, we couldn't inform the manager and left immediately. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that their employees are healthy, especially when dealing with food items.
From Ms Agniyah Shaikh
Sharjah
Private greetings
A popular radio station in the UAE celebrates its jockeys' birthdays by announcing the same during dedicated morning and evening slots. When there are so many good topics to talk about, why do they waste air time discussing their colleagues' birthdays? Are these people leaders or famous celebrities? It is very boring to hear the same thing over and over again, throughout the day. Let them celebrate birthdays at work or during lunch at a restaurant - don't waste valuable air time on such matters.
From Mr N. Gopal C.
Dubai
Footing the bill
I have noticed that the landlord-tenant relationship in the UAE does not abide by the same mission of providing excellent customer service, as is done by other typical business houses. I can think of two main reasons for this. Firstly, the full advance payment disincentivises the landlord to abide by the terms of the contract. Additionally, the tenants are responsible for paying the five per cent agency fee when relocating house. An ideal solution would be to have landlords foot the bill when looking for new tenants. By this, they would be more likely to try and keep the existing tenants.
From Mr Bruce Trowbridge
Dubai
Never a circus
It read: "Now that the world's largest democracy has finished its great political circus, it's time for business for all" ("UAE-based NRI businessmen hail verdict", Gulf News, May 16). Though I appreciate the effort made by Gulf News for this report, I was shocked with the usage of the word "circus" for India's democratic elections. It's never a circus and Gulf News should appreciate India for the fact that despite a huge population it could complete such a great democratic process in a peaceful manner. With all due respect, never call it a circus!
From Mr Cherian K. Thomas
Dubai
Earning my vote
I would like to applaud the management of Jet Airways for their swift action in resolving my complaint regarding a service deficiency. I was amazed with the high value they place on their guests. I dropped an e-mail to the management who were kind enough to take corrective steps to ensure that I did not have a reason to complain again. I would really like to see such a response and attitude from other regional airlines, too.
From Mr Ashwin Fernandes
Dubai
Keeping watch
While driving from Sharjah to Dubai and back, I've noticed how most drivers drive till the end of the road and then take a right turn, especially at the interchanges. Due to this, the traffic gets piled up as drivers in the right-most lane are unable to turn right. Could the authorities install radars to control this activity?
From Mr P. Johnson
Dubai
Before it is late
All of us come across errant drivers every day. The question is, what can be done about them? There are drivers who drive over a 100 kilometres per hour in residential areas. In such areas you'll find children playing, people getting off taxis and schoolchildren getting off their buses and crossing the streets. Before these drivers learn their lesson the hard way, I urge everyone to notify the authorities about such drivers by noting down their plate numbers.
From Mr Jaseer A. Ali
Dubai
The actual purpose
I forgot my mobile phone in a shopping basket at a supermarket in Dubai, recently. Granted, the fault was mine, but when I asked the customer service and then the manager to review the security camera tape to find out who picked up the mobile, they refused to do so, claiming that it was a matter for higher management. I thought the whole purpose of security cameras was to help resolve issues like these.
From Mr Fawaz Abdullah
Dubai
Prayer interrupted
Shopping malls are not adhering to prayer timings by letting the call to prayer resound during the appropriate times. Muslims have to pray five times a day and what is observed nowadays is that many malls and shops play loud music instead of switching to the call for prayer. I request the authorities to take a note of this situation and implement strict rules in shopping malls and other areas.
From Mr Ebrahim Al Mulla
Abu Dhabi
Our own gift
With anything in life, we need balance and wisdom. Our children are a gift to us, and no one else. It's time to take that role and blessing seriously. Parents must stop blaming the West or the media for their deficiencies. My children were raised with TV and in the West - they are the most giving, gentle, kind and compassionate little beings. It's time to stop the blame game. If you choose to be a parent, parent your child! But if you wish to be lazy and allow them to be raised by someone else, or the media, get ready to bear the consequences! The fact remains that parents and a family is the most influential body for a child. Our children know they are the most important thing on Earth for us!
From Ms Patrice
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Losing goodwill
This is with reference to Gulf News's report regarding Jazeera Airways and their cancellation of Dubai as a direct hub to Mumbai and Delhi, effective from June 1, 2009. I hope Jazeera Airways will display enough professionalism by refunding customers who had purchased tickets as far ahead as September and October 2009 and now wish to cancel the same. The main reason for travelling directly from Dubai to the aforementioned destinations was the ease of travel. However, the inconvenience of travelling via Kuwait will now be too much to bear, irrespective of how convenient or quick the connecting flights are advertised to be. Passengers have other airline options for travelling directly from Dubai to their destinations. Whatever the reason may be, passengers should not be inconvenienced by the airline and should have the right to receive a refund if they so choose.
From Ms G. Souza
Dubai
