Death of teenager a tragic warning
I was very saddened to read Tributes to teenager in death crash (October 22).
The death of a young person is always cause for sorrow but when it involves a motor vehicle, it is also cause for reflection.
Without prejudging any investigation into this particular accident, it is statistically true that young people face great risks behind the wheel of motor vehicles.
When a high-powered vehicle like a Lamborghini is involved, those risks are amplified.
In many jurisdictions, drivers are required to have many years of experience before they can drive such vehicles. Perhaps that should be the case in the UAE. Kerry Blake, Dubai
This is so sad, especially since some people have been quick to be judgemental about the circumstances here.
I hope they will let the family mourn their loss in peace.
Baseem P Fakhry, Dubai
Over-packaging a modern problem
Regarding Over-packaging is a wasteful habit (October 21), I get so angry with most packaging, be it for food, tools, electronics or computers.
It takes me 10 minutes just to figure out how to open the sealed packaging, which is such a waste of resources.
How did we package our products 40 to 60 years ago? We should go back to those days.
R Kennington, Dubai
Haj diary reflects human experience
I have been reading your daily Haj diary with great interest. It reflects so many aspects of human experience during Haj.
I hope that this diary will be published in book form. Iqbal Warakhwala, India
Science festival a great success
I was extremely pleased to read Science festival visitors up by a fifth (October 22).
The attendance figure of 120,000 is encouraging, especially given that more than 20,000 students attended the event.
It's a tribute to the organisers, who promoted the event very well, and to the fact that we are all, increasingly, fascinated by science.
Making the event fun for children was a good idea. I hope at least a few of them grow up to be world-class scientists. M Morris, Dubai
You're only as old as you feel
The nicely written article Life's grandest challenge: watching those we love age (October 21) reminded me of something my grandmother used to say: "I hate the thought of getting old, but then I consider the alternative and it doesn't seem so bad."
She died at 93, and was dancing a week before she died.
Katherine Ellis, Abu Dhabi
Osborne goes to bottom of class
I think Head of class (October 22) was ridiculous.
The debacle involving British Chancellor George Osborne has nothing to do with class and everything to do with the fact he was trying to get something for nothing by sitting in a seat he had not paid for.
S Jacobs, Dubai
Top tap-water tip is to boil it first
I agree with the writer of the letter Tap water can be better than bottled (October 22).
I recommend that you boil tap water before drinking.
KP Muhammad, Abu Dhabi
Early retirement may not suit all
Emiratis join the pension debate (October 22) was very striking. I wonder how serious the people were who said they wanted to be out of the work world at just 45.
All over the world, people talk about wanting to retire early, but they don't always mean it.
Part of human nature, by my way of thinking, is to take satisfaction in doing something well, whether it's brain surgery or filing paperwork.
Even very wealthy people, in many cases, find work that is meaningful to them. Retirement at 45 would not be healthy for individuals or for society.
Arvo Daniels, Abu Dhabi
Retire at age 45? That would be an attractive option if you hate your job, but I feel sorry for anyone who has made such a bad career choice.
On the other hand, 45 is not too late to start again and find a line of work you really like. You could even go back to school and learn a whole new field.
MA Gul, Dubai
