Good news, but not for all
I refer to the news item "Big salary increase for federal employees" (Gulf News, April 6). It is certainly good news, but only for a small fraction of the population in the UAE.

The price increases have not only affected the federal government employees but also those in the private sector.

So, it is hoped the government will take measures to ensure private sector companies also increase salaries of employees proportionate to the increase in the cost of living.
From Mr M. Ahmad
Abu Dhabi

Boring repertoire
Having gone to great lengths to obtain tickets for the Pavarotti concert in Dubai, despite the organisational fiasco, I can now understand why it was his farewell concert. He should have retired years ago.

He was flat, did not hit the "C" and his repertoire was boring. Despite what Gulf News reported (April 8), he did not perform for 90 minutes.

Rather, he appeared late, went off early, there was no planned intermission and he could hardly be seen.

Many people got up and left early being appalled at such an over-rated and overly priced event.

Pavarotti should be ashamed to have insulted Dubai this way.
From Mr D. Woodward
Abu Dhabi

Early exit
Excited, with VIP Pavarotti tickets, we enjoyed pre-show juice by the water. Then, reminiscent of the Mumbai train station, we all entered through two doors.

Evening dresses and tuxedos became elbows, sweat, aggravation. Our distant VIP seats were flimsy and our knees jammed the seats in front.

Pavarotti sang, or tried to, with rattling ACs and late-comers arriving throughout. Heavy, strained and raspy, he belied the handsome promotional images.

He never moved his legs. The soprano's crescendos hurt, her bust line inappropriately revealing. We walked out early.

People were applauding memories and fantasies. To see Pavarotti like this made me very sad.
From Mr B. Brandes
Dubai

Disaster
I have just been to see the Pavarotti concert and regret I was foolish enough to pay for the VIP tickets.

Yes, the great man turned up, but it seemed he lacked the stamina, as he performed for less than an hour.

He finished with an apologetic "I'm sorry" after a short final song, which he graciously involved the audience in.

What a way to remember him! Audience discipline was a disaster people kept coming in even 40 minutes after the 9 o'clock start.

Many were using their mobile phones to capture the event very distracting.
From Mr G.C.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Waste of time
The Pavarotti concert was highly publicised. But, in reality, the evening was not a spectacular event, rather a dismal disappointment and a total sham.

He was out of tune, mumbling his words and seemed shaky. His voice was that of ugliness, not beauty.

While people's past work is to be respected and loved, to sit and deliver such a ridiculous performance was a waste of visitors' time.

Expensive, disorganised, disappointing.
From Mrs C. Pilton
Dubai

Grievance forum
Will the complaints and comments on high rents in Gulf News serve any purpose or make any difference to those concerned?

I feel it is just like a family's common grievance forum unless some measures are taken by the authorities, more so in the light of the salary increase for government employees.
From Mr M. Kaleemullah
Dubai

Re-election a must
I refer to the news item "Opposition seeks fresh Zimbabwe polls" (Gulf News, April 5).

Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader of Zimbabwe, has called for a re-election in the country, whose incumbent President Robert Mugabe is considered a tyrant.

It is better to have a re-election which is monitored by an independent international agency.
From Mr B. Tharayil
Dubai

Unwarranted
I do not understand why Mr Azim ("Red herring" Gulf News, Online, April 3) would want his comment published.

I enjoy reading the Letters section since it is interesting to know people's opinions on global events that affect our lives.

Surely, no one cares about a sign that he saw at a fish market.

And if they were to see it, one could figure out the person's intention to clean your fish for free.

Further, if the fish salesperson's English is not up to Mr Azim's standard, Mr Azim should have told him in private rather than correct his mistake through the newspapers for all to see.
From A Reader
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Name withheld by request

Pickup point
I am a regular customer of Carrefour hypermarket in Shindagha. Although there is a taxi pickup point, I have to wait for a minimum of 15 minutes for a taxi.

Sometimes I go on the road to get a taxi. This creates an awkward situation for many customers.

The authorities should provide more taxis at Carrefour.
From Mr S. Dabhade
Dubai

Clean bus seats
I agree with Mr Shaikh's comments in the letter "Buses stink" (Gulf News, April 5). I am a regular traveller on the inter-emirates buses, where seats are dirty and stink.

They require cleaning. As people tend to sweat during summer, it gives out a bad odour. Therefore, the buses as well as the seats must be cleaned.

Anti-bacterial air-fresheners are needed to prevent the spread of infection spread rough sneezing and coughing.
From Mrs F. Maravilla
Sharjah

Adopt shift system
The ever-increasing traffic between Dubai and Sharjah can be controlled if the Dubai Government asks companies to adopt an area-wise shift system.

For instance, all companies in Deira can start at 8am, those in Bur Dubai at 9am and other areas 10am.
From Mr S.S. Saleem
Dubai