talkin' tabloid!

Each week, tabloid! editor Sonali Raha will pass her views on a hot topic and invite readers to comment. A selection of your replies will be published in tabloid!

This time Sonali discusses Paris Hilton and her jail lesson.

Flamboyant rich girl Paris Hilton is finally behind bars for violating her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. Will she learn anything from this sentence? Or will it simply become one more smile-for-the-camera moment?

Just hours before she turned herself into a Los Angeles county jail for her 3-week sentence, Paris Hilton was walking the red carpet at the MTV Movie Awards. She posed happily for pictures and talked, touchingly, of friends, family and fans standing by her at her darkest hour.

All very good. At no time did she seem scared — although she said she was — as she posed and primped and flicked her tresses.

At the time of writing this, we know Paris has had a peaceful first night alone in her cell. Lawyer Richard A. Hutton said: "She's using this time to reflect on her life, to see what she can do to make the world better and hopefully, in my opinion, to change the attitudes that exist about her among many people."

In other words, good, misunderstood Paris is being kind and understanding, forgiving everyone who's wronged her.

Yes, Paris is in jail, exchanging her designer clothes for an orange top and pants. She's been spared a cellmate and may well get time off for good behaviour!

When she comes back into the social scene, will she be repentant? Or will she just have some juicy jail gossip to share?

My guess: Nothing will change. Maybe she'll never wear orange again or give up cereals (part of her jail breakfast). She could well sell her story — or even write a little Prison Diary like Jeffrey Archer.

And yes, she could even boast of knowing more about the "real life'' than her friends — making her that much more special.

No lesson learnt

We asked readers what they thought US socialite Paris Hilton would learn from being in jail. Here's what you said

This young woman needed to be shown that she is not above the law. Her tantrums have reinforced the notion that she believed that she wouldn't be touched for driving drunk, speeding and driving with a suspended licence. Paris, grow up and take your punishment, then maybe you'll get out early — legitimately.
D. M. M.,
Washington, US

I think Paris Hilton deserves to be put behind bars for a while. That will help her to realise it doesn't always matter if you are rich and famous. I really hope she will learn a lesson and be more humble from now.
Maria Ripen,
Lund, Sweden

I sincerely believe Ms Hilton personifies the saying "all beauty and no brains''. I have my doubts if going to jail will be enough to give her a sense of purpose in life.
Jesal Joshi,
Goa, India

Do these very rich (rich in money and not brains perhaps?) people even recognise there are millions in the world who are starving? If they did, surely they would be much more careful to use their money wisely. Perhaps even be altruistic.
Sergei Kulik,
London, UK

I really don't know what Paris will learn, but surely it is a lesson for everyone that no one's above the law — nobody can take the law into their own hands. Hopefully Paris will be more careful in the future.
Shubhasree,
Abu Dhabi

Are you kidding? Sentenced to 43 days that's reduced to 21 even before starting the jail term. Let out for a break pretty quickly. Separate cell, cereal for breakfast ... no wonder the crime rate is increasing!
Nitin Nair,
Sharjah

I think Paris Hilton deserves exactly the same treatment as any other American citizen violating the law of the land.
Luckmini Wideshika,
Pecs, Hungary

I think she should be grateful that she is not going to spend 25 years in jail! I hope after this ordeal she will understand and appreciate things better.
Rima,
Ras Al Khaimah

Paris Hilton should receive the same treatment as any other prisoner in jail. This should serve as a warning to the sons and daughters of the rich and famous: They are not above the law.
Henry,
British Columbia, Canada

Paris Hilton should be treated just like a regular person. People should not see her simply as someone rich and famous. Her ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it.
May,
Dubai, UAE

People should remember her family is one of the biggest taxpayers of the US, so please do not compare Paris to a common criminal. Yes, she made a mistake that could have endangered human lives. But luckily for Paris, her (drunk) driving has not harmed anyone.
Keshav,
Dubai

I wonder why so many people want to see the rich and famous harshly punished? I really hope Paris will be released early, but she should not be allowed to drive for some time. I don't think she deserves to be punished extra just because she's rich and famous.
Seneviratne,
Dubai

* Additional responses received on gulfnewsonline.com