Stop bothering them
It is a late response but in my opinion, Eric Nerhus deserved what happened to him ("Man escapes after shark 'swallows' him head down", Gulf News, January 24).

It's not that I don't feel sad, looking at how he nearly died, but my point is that he shouldn't have been messing around with the shark in the first place. Did he think he was another Steve Irwin?

Instead of crocodiles he was "playing" around with sharks.

Though I feel a little sympathetic towards Nerhus, I really think this world would be a better place if people would just mind their own business - rather than bothering animals.
From Ms Mariam Mansoor Pasha
Sharjah

Pet relief
When I opened the newspaper a few days back, I was greeted with a welcome sight - finally an article about the benefits of having a pet ("Pet owners hail positive health findings", Gulf News, January 23).

After much annoying anecdotes from relatives and even strangers about how I would end up dying by ingesting dog and cat hair or about how I would land up with asthma and allergies, what a relief to have research proving the contrary!
From Ms Ashwathi Ashokan
Abu Dhabi

Wrong message
While it's good to watch India versus West Indies live, it's disheartening to see the advertisement "It's tough to be a West Indian in India".

Whoever has come up with this concept is projecting India shabbily and passing a very wrong message to the world.

This is in contrast to the advertisement we get to see in other Indian channels promoting tourism, where the guest is treated with utmost respect.
From Mr K.G. Parameswaran
Abu Dhabi

Bad light
It has been a pleasure to watch India win a couple of cricket matches, thanks to the efforts by E-Vision.

Neo Sports however seem to have no awareness of what India represents. Some of their advertisements belittle India and show Indians as poor hosts.

Indians are shown as being unwilling to give even water to a visitor from the West Indies. Indians should reject such telecasts and the government needs to step in and stop such campaigns.
From Mr V.M. Prakash
Dubai

Very insensitive
Once again we see an example of the callous and insensitive disregard that European governments display when one of their citizens is in trouble abroad ("A day of pleasant surprises for German who slept rough", Gulf News, February 8).

German businessman Dieter Graf was, of course, wrong to travel without the necessary insurance cover, but for the German Embassy to refuse to help him in his plight and provide the funds to ensure his return home is pathetic.

No doubt Mr Graf has paid a small fortune in taxes over the years, if his own government is not liable to take responsibility for him, then who is?
From Mr A. Iceton
Abu Dhabi

Thank you
As German citizens, we were ashamed to see this tragedy unfold, with our consulate placing the solution on the backs of benevolent donors.

Rather than helping Graf, our Consulate left a sick old man to fend for himself in a distant land.

If consular or diplomatic officials can neither help the citizens of their nations nor act as proper media ambassadors for their country, they should pack up and go home.

They were sent here to help us, not to attend parties and work on their tan. As Germans, we offer our thanks and gratitude to the UAE citizens and residents who came forward to help this man after one of the world's wealthiest powerhouses failed.

Ordinarily, I would sign my name. Under these circumstances, we worry that our German citizenship may be revoked.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Insurance cover
As a visitor to Germany one has to show medical coverage for Europe during visa application.

In order to avoid problems like the kind Graf has faced, visitors to the UAE should also carry international medical coverage by default.
From Mr Butt
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Their duty
When it comes to humanitarian help, it is the duty of each and every individual to help the needy. Sickness, especially a heart attack, will not come to a person, giving advance notice!

Anyone can get attacks! It is the duty of the German authorities in the UAE to safeguard the reputation and credibility of their country in public.

If they are not bothered and are giving excuses, what can the readers of Gulf News do?
From Ms Alia Esmail
Dubai

Appalling!
With the large number of German tourists in the UAE, one would have expected a better solution from their embassy, when one of their tourists has a problem.

If they cannot repatriate a person, at least do not allow that person to sleep in the rough. It is appalling when a country cannot help one of theirs, regardless of the situation.
From Mr M.H.M.
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request

Good news
I am relieved to learn that Graf's problems have finally ended on a happy note. It's heartening to know that there are really good and kind people around us, like Stein!
From Mr Rajan Thomas
Kerala, India

Lovely time
I must say the Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the greatest treats for all visitors who come to Dubai, from different parts of the world.

It offers a wide range of entertainment for each one of us. I enjoyed the festival very much and it was a real feast and a great holiday.

I congratulate the Dubai Government for providing the visitors such a great welcome.
From Mrs Shyamala Kini
Andhra Pradesh, India