The importance of finding the right nanny

A reader thanks us for an article about how to find a nanny. Other letters touch on topics from the wisdom of the old to the birth of the seven billionth person, on immodest dressing, and more.

Nannies are an integral part of child care in the UAE, but as one reader observes, the relationship between employee and employer is not always an easy one to navigate. (Pawan Singh / The National)

As a person of 54 years, I was dismayed by the opinion implicit in your front page story Revolution a job for the young but ruling goes to grey hair (November 1).

The point of the story seems to be that there's something wrong with Tunisia's new assembly just because "more than half of the candidates … were older than 46."

What's wrong with that?

Throughout history older people have been revered and respected for their experience, wisdom and insight.

No doubt some of that "senior power" has been imposed, but there is also more than a kernel of truth in the idea that older people know a little something.

In every decade, in many countries, young people demand change but don't know or can't agree on what they want instead of the established order.

Society needs the ferment of youth but it also needs the good sense of maturity.

Claude Arvin, Dubai

Population must be stabilised

The 7 billionth person has already arrived in this world (7,000,000,000, October 31).

His arrival is certainly a cause for profound global concern, especially for third-world countries. In my country, India, it is difficult to find a place which is not overcrowded.

Public transport, schools, hospitals, courts, government departments - they are all overstretched. And 40 per cent of the people are living in extreme poverty.

In many countries illiteracy and ill health are being passed from generation to generation.

Population stabilisation should be the most important thing on the agenda of poor nations. Otherwise rapid population growth will cut short economic growth.

Muneer Ahmad, Abu Dhabi

Excellent advice about nannies

Thank you for the fine article Help in the home (November 1).

As a family that had never had a nanny before we came here, we faced quite a learning curve. After some months of difficulty we have found a wonderful nanny who has been everything we could wish. But some of our friends are still having problems, which can be very frustrating when childcare and the serenity of the home are at stake in the relationship.

I wish we had had that article to read at the beginning of our nanny search.

Karen Kearns, Dubai

F1 race a bonanza for ad agencies

The article based on company branding (India keen to draw on F1's power, October 31) mentioned the millions spent by corporations for marketing and branding in India at the time of the Formula One race.

This is a bonanza for the Indian advertising industry, which will make some companies rich and provide a boost for their creativity as well.

Thamar, Ras Al Khaimah

Immodesty is on Facebook, too

Regarding the report Tweets take on immodest dressers (October 31) I have been posting messages against immodest dress on my Facebook page off and on for some time.

It's not only about public places. Many girls who have Facebook and Twitter accounts see no problem listing their religion as Muslim while posting a profile photo of cleavage, whether it's their own or Kim Kardashian's - which girls often try to pass off as their own to secure more attention.

Their reasoning is that since they're not featuring their faces, it's not a problem for them to post a body shot.

I commend The National for this article.

Manal Al Kaabi, Dubai

Hire locally first then look outside

The news contained in your story Top gamer moves to the UAE (October 28) is good for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. But Ubisoft should give hiring preference to people from the UAE first before going out to the rest of the region.

It should be a rule of thumb that any multinational entering the UAE to do business should include a programme for the transfer of knowledge over a three-year period.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai