A bitter end to Pharrell show

A reader complains about taxi problem at the du Arena on Yas Island following the Farrell Williams show. Other topics: etiquette, cinema, shopping mall, extremism

A reader says the problem of finding a taxi after the Pharrell Williams show at the du Arena on Yas Island on Saturday spoilt the mood for many pop fans. Delores Johnson / The National

With reference to the article Pharrell makes pop fans happy (November 23), Pharrell Williams did indeed put on a great concert at the du Arena.

However, many people were left frustrated at the end as they had to wait for more than two hours in the taxi rank to get a cab home.

What seemed to be the issue was bad organisation as plenty of taxis were available. This issue needs to be addressed.

Greg Davies, Abu Dhabi

Will a website on etiquette solve problem?

With reference to your editorial An Emirati welcome (November 23), I think there should be a list of dos and don'ts that could be given out at passport control.

However, I have seen men in beachwear and vest tops and women in tiny shorts and skimpy dresses in Dubai malls and they are residents.

Wendy Dickson, Dubai

This is a good idea. The problem is that there are some people who deliberately break rules.

Niaz Abdul Kader, Abu Dhabi

Some people just don’t care. There’s a difference between not knowing the rules and disregarding them. There are people who do the latter just to see how far they can go. Common sense isn’t very common.

Mj Uy, Dubai

As a seasoned traveller and having had the opportunity of summers abroad since I was young, I always seek out a guide book for my intended destination to learn about its history, culture, places to stay and various attractions, but that’s because I like to explore and learn. Abu Dhabi, of course, is the cultural capital of the UAE. But Dubai is like the new Benidorm or Ayia Napa – full of beach holiday-goers, who enjoy sun, sea and sand and not much else. These people usually don’t care what the rules are. They are here to have fun in the style to which they are accustomed in their own countries and those they have indirectly colonised through mass tourism.

If you want this type of tourist to be aware of cultural values and norms, you need to market Dubai in a different way. Having said that, there are also plenty of beach holidaymakers, older couples and families with children that behave well, so we can’t tar everyone with the same brush. Personally, I’d rather have a cultural holiday any day over a beach one.

Name withheld by request

Cinemas can be more interesting

At the weekend I quite fancied seeing a new film, especially having enjoyed the Abu Dhabi Film Festival experience recently. I looked online and guess what – each cinema has more or less the same films on offer. My question is, what is the point in having more than eight cinemas in a city with more than six cinema screens in each outlet showing exactly the same films? The cinemas are hardly ever full, and it seems that alternative films – the ones produced on a low budget that will never make huge profits – are just forgotten about. Let’s have cinemas at least offering one or two alternative films each week and give the population something to see and discuss.

Diane Miller, Abu Dhabi

A mall is always welcome

The newly-opened Yas Mall is lovely (It's shopping time as Yas Mall opens its doors in Abu Dhabi, November 19). Although I was hoping to see something a little more dynamic, I am happy to have it on the doorstep.

Sophie Allan, Abu Dhabi

It’s good news. Now there is one more place to shop.

Ayyathan Radhakrishnan, Abu Dhabi

Poverty breeds extremism

Shaukat Qadir's opinion article ISIL appeals to those who have little or no hope (November 23) gives a clear picture of a world struggling to cope with extremism. It's alarming that people from so many countries are joining groups such as ISIL.

A large part of Pakistan is under the control of militants. That’s probably because unemployment and poverty are rampant in that area.

I think the only solution to this problem is to create jobs and develop the economy.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman