Are you ready? Do you have a plan?
I agree that debt is a result of mismanagement of personal finances ("Personal loan perils", Gulf News, April 27). Keeping up with the Joneses was always a favourite saying as you sank your way into debt. That was in the 1950s, but still holds true. Credit card companies are eager for your business; banks are happy to consolidate your debts into "one easy monthly payment" and consumerism brokers no rules on what's "hot" and "what's not". But, look in the mirror! After the fast and good life, retirement calls for a reassessment. Hindsight is always 20/20 vision but have you prepared or are you just part of the mismanagement crowd?
Ms B. Cummings
Dubai
Gulf News Reader's Club member
It is necessary
Health insurance for female employees is a must, as they are the most stressed and hard-working people - doing a lot for both home and office ("Health insurance a must for married female employees", Gulf News, April 24).
From Ms Usha
Sharjah
Website comment
Health for all
The decision to have health insurance for married female employees is an excellent move by the authorities. Employers should provide this service.
From Ms Huzefa
Dubai
Website comment
Good idea
Yes having armed policemen in shopping malls could help! I would now feel safe going to malls ("Armed policemen in malls", Gulf News, April 24). Mall authorities should also install more security cameras.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Civilian clothes
After the recent robberies, I would prefer armed policemen in malls but they should be in civilian clothes, so as not to intimidate customers.
From Mr Sairab
Hangu, Pakistan
Full name withheld by request
May not help
Deploying policemen in shopping malls could send out a bad impression about security. Innocent people could suffer because some policemen will be suspicious of everyone.
From Ms Sosan
Dubai
Website comment
They will be caught
Dubai is the safest place in the world and they will catch them, whatever the cost. Good work, Dubai Police!
From Mr Saif
Dubai
Website comment
Circular bridges
Earlier, it was Sharjah's gigantic roundabouts that caused one to lose his or her orientation after going around them. Dubai has now taken the lead with tricky, almost round bridges with ambiguous sign postings because of which, if once you take a wrong turn, then there is no going back.
From Mr Nasar Usmani
Dubai
Gulf News Reader's Club member
Bigger force
We constantly read about road accidents due to ignorance and negligence. You can put as many cameras and radars to catch such drivers but you can never truly catch the numerous bad drivers who roam the roads of the UAE and cause serious accidents. The best solution is a larger police force constantly monitoring the roads.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Beyond the limit
Of late, vehicles meant for labour transportation are carrying people beyond the maximum seating capacity. If any accident occurs, the impact would be disastrous. The authorities should take a serious view of this.
From Mr Girish Edathitta
Dubai
Move them
This is to throw some light on the nuisance created by the pick-up drivers in Deira, Dubai. These people continue to park their vehicles in front of residential buildings, causing a lot of inconvenience to women. It's hard for women to move out for work or shopping, especially because these men tease every passing woman. The markets in this area have become too crowded. The drivers gather in the evening and cause inconvenience to families.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Slow work
We have a parking lot from across our building, which can accommodate around 100 cars, which has been closed since March.
On enquiring with the building watchman, I was told that it would be converted to a multi-storeyed car parking facility. Unfortunately nothing seems to have happened in these past few weeks except for erecting the board fencing the boundary, which is also incomplete!
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
No responsibility
Obviously Dubai is in need of such a service and it is great news that additional buses have been ordered ("Travel to Dubai's intra-city with ease", Gulf News, April 5). Most bus drivers lack a sense of responsibility. They are speeding in these large buses not only on the highways but also in residential areas. They use the roads as racetracks. All buses should have built in speed limit equipment.
From Mr Harry Buitelaar
Dubai
Need stricter policing
Driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, I encountered about 20 drivers in the third lane who looked as if they were all in cruise mode seemingly oblivious to other drivers behind them. The other drivers were forced, by the cruisers' reluctance to move to the slower lanes, to overtake on the inside or brake sharply. I even saw one man with a newspaper balanced on the steering wheel and he was in the middle lane, too! I suggest a more visual presence of police cars might help.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
