Say no to sweets
I am fond of sweets (“Get diabetes screening done for just Dh1”, Gulf News, November 15). I like to have sweets after dinner, and whenever I feel like. My family is not diabetic but I have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I had a severe heart problem three years back when my sugar level crossed 9 points, when it should have actually been in the range of 5.4 to 5.6 points. Tremendous changes in diet from two meals to five short meals, daily walks, reduced sugar intake and switching from normal sugar to brown sugar, have all helped me reduce my weight, from 80kgs to 70kgs. This helped tremendously in reducing my body sugar levels and weight reduction helped me increase my metabolism. Now, I take in more food, but do not put on weight. Low intake of sugary foods has helped my sugar levels come to a normal range. I would like others to emulate on diabetes day - to check your weight, go for daily walks, exercise and keep a distance from sugary foods.
From Mr Nandkumar J
UAE
Include more activities
It is likely that children in the UAE are susceptible to diabetes, not due to any hereditary reason, but because of the lack of a balanced diet. School going children are lucky as they get at least some activity in the day, such as field games, swimming and so on. However, later on in life, too much of television and video games will tempt children to stay away from outdoor activities. Their diet is also to be blamed and we should stay away from fast foods as much as possible. Having it once in a while on the weekend is all right. At other times, we should encourage our children to eat wholesome, properly balanced, home-cooked food, consisting of enough meat and vegetables.
From Mr Stanley D’cunha
Sharjah
Counselling is essential
Marriage is the coming together of two individuals who enter into a mutual agreement of living their lives together, through all the ups and downs (“Can the move to the UAE wreck your marriage?”, Gulf News, November 13). With the right maturity and mind-set, when two people enter into this bond, it can be the most beautiful relationship. Counselling should be preferably done before marriage, to ensure that this will prepare the individuals to nurture their relationship into something amazing. Yet, even if issues have surfaced in an ongoing marriage, a good counsellor can definitely iron out the creases with the right guidance. Basic understanding, love and respect for each other is all that requires to sail through this journey. Generally, expectations and ego issues will start simmering and build gaps in the marriage. These gaps need to be covered and acceptance. Love and forgiveness must be instilled. Marriage counselling should be made compulsory before two people tie the knot. In the beginning both will be ready to listen to any advice given, and work on making the relationship successful.
From Ms Naina Nair
Abu Dhabi
UAE’s VAT
This is a sudden development from the UAE government, which most of the expatriates may not have expected (“Businesses told to pay excise tax before November 15”, Gulf News, November 13). All these days, people living in UAE were enjoying the benefit of tax free for consumption of water, electricity and other items, which is the main attraction of working in the UAE. Maybe in the initial period of introduction, people may hesitate but in time, they will become accustomed this new concept.
From Mr K Ragavan
India
Money matters
It would be wrong to pay children for helping parents with chores. It would introduce an element of greed for no reason. The intention to help with chores should be spontaneous and must be inculcated without dangling a carrot in front of them. It should come from within. In any case, their needs are being taken care of by parents as a matter of duty. Hence this is a bad idea. Besides, there is no connection between paying children for the chores and having them learn the value of money. I as a child, learned the value of money by earning while learning. I started giving tuitions at a young age. Not only did I learn the value of money, but I also learnt dignity of labour.
From Mr S Thakur
UAE
A serious problem
You cannot see a house without a television and it is not a luxury item nowadays. Most of the people keep their television sets in their sitting room, which is convenient for them to watch but at the same time, it keeps your guests silent until they leave the house. You can see people sitting with a remote control from dawn to dusk as there are hundreds of channels which get telecast, offering various programmes. I have seen people switching off their televisions when visitors come. Since you have kept your TV in the sitting room, you will have a tendency to take the remote and start changing channels. This shows that either you are avoiding the visitor or are watching television for a show. This will give a bad impression because you are not talking much but your eyes are on the television. Sometime you might forget to offer him something to drink. So it’s better if we shift it to the bedroom
From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman
Dubai
Smokers versus non-smokers
Recently, a Tokyo-based marketing firm introduced a novel idea to encourage employees who don’t smoke, by giving them an additional six days paid leave to make up for smoker’s cigarette breaks. Even if there are restrictions for breaks at the workplace, many employees are taking unlimited number of smoking breaks, which is affecting the flow of work, and causing frustration among non-smokers. Do you think this method can stop people from the habit of smoking and improve their productivity at work places?
From Mr Girish R Edathitta
Dubai
No time for customers
I always read the complaints section in the paper, and I am impressed with the level of determination in helping the common man solve their problems (“Issue of reimbursement”, Gulf News, November 11). What I fail to understand is why such entities bother and trouble their customers that they have to approach the media for assistance. What is the need for them to have call centres and help desks in prominent places, but yet fail in the purpose of having them? I have been troubled many a times but I prefer to visit their head office directly. But not every person has the time and facility, hence they end up visiting every help and call centre they can and ultimately approach the media. Is it that these entities feel ashamed when the issue pops up in the media and then they get their act together? If that’s the case then they should close all their help centres and calling services as it’s a waste. Today’s article about a customer grievance is a real eye opener. I’m glad she approached the media as I totally understand her predicament. For such a simple thing as retrieving her deposit she had to go through so much. For some odd reason, I’ve always felt that such entities like banks and utility providers presume that their customers have all the time in the world.
From Mr Mufaddal Mohammad
UAE
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