I completely agree with the finding that, in this country, 50 per cent of customers, the highest rate in the world, choose to visit a mall just for the food options (Eating is the new shopping as UAE malls grow fat on new restaurant tenants, January 23). I hate shopping, so walking around the food court with the Entertainer app is a much better choice.
Will Vennard, Dubai
Is there any way to tackle littering?
I completely agree with Dr Mansi Desai's comments in the article Call to get tough on litterbugs (January 24).
However, the litter problem is not confined to the scenic areas. As a resident of Abu Dhabi for many years, I continue to be amazed by the litter on the streets in the city centre.
What is particularly offensive is thousands (dare I say tens of thousands) of cigarette butts littering the pavements, particularly outside office buildings. Drivers empty their car ashtrays anywhere they choose, while sweet and food wrappers, plastic and styrofoam cups are seen everywhere. Then you have men placing offensive cards on windscreens and under the door handles of cars, while unwanted publications are hung on apartment and villa front doors on Friday mornings.
The problem will persist as long as people think that it’s the municipality’s job to clean the mess.
I believe that there are provisions in local legislation that allow for fines to be imposed and it may be happening, but I have never seen it.
We have Mawaqif patrolling the streets for illegal parking. Possibly they could do the same with littering.
Jeremy Weeks, Abu Dhabi
The time has come to actually fine people and impose stiff penalties for public littering.
Until people who litter our beaches, parks and desert areas experience fines and penalties, they will continue to litter without fear of reprimand.
It’s time to get tough and follow through with the law before the beauty of this country is compromised.
Alan Branson, Abu Dhabi
What happened to bus shelters?
For years I have been reading in your newspaper about the need to make the public transport network more robust. The Government has also been talking in terms of making the journey of commuters more convenient by adding infrastructure. Yet all this seems to have remained just that – an idea. In many areas on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, there are no bus shelters. In Baniyas, Shabia and other areas for instance, bus passengers have to wait under the open sky.
While it’s not so inconvenient in winter, it’s almost impossible to do so in summer. It seems the authorities only focus on modernisation of the centre of the city.
Due to the lack of bus shelters, people are bound to make alternative arrangements.
Since taxi fare is too expensive for many people, they avail themselves of illegal taxis. Even though they are a headache for the authorities, they will continue to thrive as long as the public transport infrastructure remains in this state.
Name withheld by request
Enforce law on exotic pets
How can people keep exotic animals as pets (Where lions wander, January 24)? Isn't it illegal? Jail the buyers and sellers. It's a joke that people get away with such things.
Jean Francoise Ng Lewis, Dubai
Teach Arabic to foreigners
I studied Latin and Greek when I was young (If you learn Latin, English won't be all Greek to you, January 24). Today I realise that I should have learnt Arabic, which would be more useful for me. Why don't Arabs start with the minimum – which is teaching their own language to people who live in their country? Like this, maybe Arabic will not have the same fate as Latin and Greek. Arabic is a very rich language.
Kéra Mel, Abu Dhabi
