I refer to UAE mall smoking ban lights up confusion (July 1).
If you are going to create a rule banning smoking in mall coffee shops, then you have to enforce it.
I was in an Abu Dhabi mall on Tuesday. In one cafe there were smokers puffing away. Another cafe had ashtrays on the tables.
If there is a ban but nobody bothers to enforce it, people are just going to ignore it or laugh at it.
Worst of all would be a two-tier system, in which some establishments can get away with permitting smoking, while others can't.
Jeremy P Weeks, Abu Dhabi
The problem with the smoking ban in malls is the same as the problem with a dress code: malls and shops are there to make a profit, and it's harder to do that if you're hemming your customers in with rules.
Once when my daughter was very little and just learning to speak I stopped her from doing something and she told me crossly: "You're making too many don'ts!"
That's the way mall shoppers will start to feel if this goes on.
Rick Boucher, Abu Dhabi
Even in cupcakes, Dubai must excel
World's most expensive cupcake goes on sale in Dubai (July 2) was tasty reading, but I found the flavour a trifle too rich.
I wonder how many times a year the media use the phrases "world's most expensive" or "world's biggest" about Dubai.
There's a real drive here to excel, or at least exceed, in this city.
Barbara Bevan, Dubai
Sanctions will harm Iranians
It is, I suppose, reassuring to know that experts say America may not soon kill another plane-load of innocent civilians (US 'unlikely to repeat mistake' of Iran passenger jet shooting, July 4).
But the disaster of 1988 still hurts all Iranians.
And I wonder how many Iranians will die because of the current US-led blockade of Iran's economy, through malnutrition, problems getting medication, and imposed poverty.
And yes, it is a blockade - trade sanctions backed up by US military and economic blustering and threats are really not that different from a direct blockade.
Amin Shirvani, Dubai
Emiratis made us feel welcome
As I prepare to leave Abu Dhabi, I realise that I will miss some things more than others.
Farewell to madcap drivers and overeager shop assistants. But also goodbye to the Emiratis who have made our family feel really welcome. My interactions with our hosts will remain with me longer than anything else I have done in the UAE.
Expatriates can forget that we are guests in someone else's country. The dress-code issue (Dress codes are just common sense, June 22) is a good example of this. We should respect the culture and traditions.
Ian Walker, Abu Dhabi
India needs more than merely hints
I refer to Singh hints at reforms to revive India's economy (July 4).
It will take much more than hints to get India back to strong growth.
Lower taxes, fewer restrictions on business, more infrastructure projects, reductions in paperwork and above all getting a grip on corruption are all essential, and in India's political climate all will be difficult, to say the least.
If anyone can accomplish any of this, Mr Singh is the man, as his previous time in the finance department demonstrates.
So many Indians will be encouraged to hear that he is taking the reins at the finance department.
But there is so much to do.
VJ Mehta, Dubai
Restaurants yes, but parking no
Your food writer Emily Shardlow is correct: all over Khalidiya, there are new restaurants and cafes popping up (Khalidiya - Abu Dhabi's new food destination, July 4).
She named a selection of good ones, but there are also many others beyond the little strip she mentioned.
Now if only there were enough places to park, those of us who live in other neighbourhoods could take better advantage.
Really, where are the promised parking garages?
Suzanne Abikhair, Abu Dhabi
Alternate routes would be useful
The report Huge tailback on Dubai motorway as minibus flips over (July 3) leads me to point out something about the UAE's roads.
The system is one of the best in the world, but especially in Dubai some highways are big traps if there is an accident, because there are so few exit routes and/or alternative roads to one's destination.
James Donato, Dubai
