Regarding School parents in battle of the brands (January 23): this is unfortunately so true.
One of the things I worry about as I plan to return to the UAE is how materialistic our children may become. Luckily, in the United States, my children don't care as much. But I'm afraid they will if they mingle with other kids who have become accustomed to that sort of lifestyle.
Although we can afford to spoil them, I don't want them to judge people based on their ability to spend money or by their country of origin. I want them to appreciate the qualities of an individual rather than his or her things.
Taghreed Abushareb, US
Making visa exceptions
Your article Visa rules catch out Canadians (January 23) was
interesting to read.These days, visa fees are a reasonable request to ask of any country's visitors. But now this cost has become very expensive for Canadians.
I request the UAE's immigration authorities to consider the cost factor. The new visa fee is particularly draining on those who have lived here and who want to visit the country after leaving. Surely, many return to visit their friends and old employers, as those I know visit this country once every two years or so.
I know how gracious Arab hospitality can be, and therefore am certain that this request can be considered.
K Ragavan, India
Engineering better telecoms service
I was struck by the irony of two stories in The National this morning.
On the cover of the business section, it was reported: "UAE residents already enjoy some of the fastest mobile internet wireless connections in the world," and that du was going to improve on that - someday, somehow.
Meanwhile, at a school in Dubai, according to School has internet 'nightmare' trying to get faster connection (January 24), du seems unable to provide a simple fibre connection, but does not respond to customer complaints.
After three years in the UAE, I am continually amazed by the incredible infrastructure that has been built in such a short time. The highways and streets throughout the country are really very good. Even the signage is generally accurate and complete. Obviously, highways and streets were well planned and built correctly right from the beginning.
In light of the inconcistencies provided by the UAE's telecommunucations companies, I would suggest that whoever was responsible for building the roads should be contacted immediately to build an internet for the UAE.
Terry Horton, Al Ain
Regarding School has internet 'nightmare' trying to get faster connection: it is worrying that there are no operational contingencies in place to address a technology failure (a likely occurrence). This reflects pretty poorly on the school's management, in my opinion.
Meredith Carson, Dubai
Raising awareness of harrassment
Having had my bottom or chest needlessly brushed up against in elevators and shopping malls multiple times, I am both proud of and grateful to SL for pursuing the matter and bringing public attention to this common form of violation (Breast-grabbing incident lands in court, January 24).
I hope that the public attention this case draws to the matter will make offenders think twice before violating more women.
Elan Fabbri, Dubai
The plight of those who earn little
With reference to the January 24th story Taxi drivers protest against conditions: where's the law protecting the workers here?
Our system has some major deficiencies that we need to have a long look at. Before placing blame entirely on the corporations, it is worth looking at the system to see how it has failed protecting employees against poor living conditions.
Noor Abdul Wahab, Abu Dhabi
Companies such as Al Qudrah who think that "only a delay of one month's salary" is not a big deal should try living on Dh800 a month and see how they get on if they do not get paid for one or two months.
Ziad Q, Abu Dhabi
