It's getting worse all the time, the plague of commercials coming to us by text message. When will advertisers learn that they do themselves more harm than good with these infuriating interruptions?
When I hear the sound for an incoming SMS, I expect to be hearing from a friend or colleague. When it's somebody trying to sell me a product I'm not even in the market to buy, I just get angry, and I know I can't be alone in that.
Advertisers take heed: you are driving us crazy.
Michel Daoud, Dubai
Social media will not change Saudis
Millions flock to religious scholars on Twitter (April 30) was interesting, especially about Saudi Arabia's clerics challenging King Abdullah's reform agenda.
As one who worked for three years in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s I don't think that there will be an erosion of the kingdom's deep conservatism through Twitter and Yahoo.
Still, in the age of social media it is hard to control the comments of Saudi youths and activists.
Ali Sedat Budak, Abu Dhabi
Students need to show respect
Violence in schools: the truth behind a tragedy (April 29) reveals what you get when you spare the rod to spoil the child.
Gone are the good days when students used to respect their teachers.
Al Anood B, Dubai
Emirati women under pressure
The article The truth on mixed marriages: only the strong will survive (April 29) seemed to be telling Emiratis to marry only Emiratis.
But just because someone marries within his own country does not guarantee the marriage is going to be a happily-ever-after fairy tale. As this article states, divorce is on the rise regardless.
The main reason for the supposed "success rate" of Emiratis who marry their own kind is because there's family pressure on both sides, I believe. The pressure is on Emirati women to endure the hardships and do what they can to make their husbands happy no matter how unreasonable he may be.
There are many Emirati wives who are not happy. When modernisation is complete and women are granted full rights, the divorce statistics among Emiratis may change drastically.
Manal Al Kaabi, US
Tourism increase hides bad news
Dubai tourist numbers on the rise (May 1) is good news for Dubai and the UAE but also symbolises the decline in tourism to the various Arab Spring states.
People who might have gone to Cairo or Damascus or elsewhere in the region now are choosing the safety of the UAE instead.
The region needs tourism and has wonderful attractions but foreigners will not go where they feel unsafe. The success of the revolutions of the Arab Spring is vital, but the sooner things settle down, the better off the whole tourism industry, with its millions of jobs, will be.
Hamid Tamil, Dubai
Payout would teach a lesson
The story Girl, 11, attacked in playground 'was near to death' (April 26) reveals a horrific shame for the school officials and boys involved. I hope they have been suspended until legal actions have been completed.
I hope the family takes legal action for neglect against the school, and the boys' families. Nothing will make a difference unless all involved are held accountable, and the best way to do that is to cost them money.
Monica Carver, Dubai
Short sentence can't be right
Man who raped boy, 8, gets three years (April 30) makes me wonder how three years can be the right punishment for this man.
I know that no matter how long he is in jail, the child will never get over it. But just three years? Following deportation, he will go back to the Philippines where he can do it to another child.
Surely there should be more severe punishments for such crimes.
Nuesha Farley, Abu Dhabi
Racism claims are not always right
I have a comment on the story HR manager cleared of assaulting worker (April 30).
When someone is suddenly dismissed from an office position he sometimes becomes upset, even starts to scream. When two different nationalities are involved someone may claim discrimination. This is not always correct.
Muhammad Naeem ul Fateh, UK
