A word of praise for Abu Dhabi’s taxi drivers

A reader expresses sympathy for taxi drivers. Other topics: cancer survivor, reading habit, air-condition, Sepp Blatter

A reader expresses sympathy for taxi drivers as they face many challenges. Ravindranath K / The National

Letters to the Editor

When talking of cab drivers, I am sure we all have some bad experiences to share, from reckless driving to rude behaviour to taxis not stopping for passengers and many other issues. While most of these complaints are valid, it would be unfair not to appreciate them for the good work they do.

Not many of us spare a thought for why most of these drivers behave the way they do. It is quite natural for anybody to get irritated after spending nearly 12 hours on the road. While driving can be enjoyable at times, it can get extremely stressful when daily targets are involved.

Driving is undeniably a tough job and demands constant focus and attention. To watch out for passengers who are trying to flag down a taxi while navigating heavy traffic requires lots of patience and discipline.

Let’s admit that being a taxi driver is quite a challenge in this part of the world, where one has to wade through traffic jams in soaring temperatures.

At the end of the day, these drivers should be treated like the human beings they are. Driving has its own dangers and yet, there they are for us, serving us with a smile.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Cancer survivor is an inspiration

As someone who survived the stage-4 squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue and lymph nodes, I salute my "survival sister" and keep her and her family in my thoughts. I pray that she continues to have the strength to follow through with the remaining treatments (Abu Dhabi breast cancer survivor hopes to inspire sufferers, June 2).

She is blessed because she is a blessing to others. Even though we have never met, I saw a picture of her with a mutual friend, Yasmine Franco, who was my guardian angel as I was recovering from heart surgery at Al Noor Hospital two years ago. Good luck, God’s blessings and peace to you all.

Real books can become history

With reference to the letter Reading in digital age is different (June 4), in the United States many schools are moving away from physical books to online or virtual books. This phenomenon makes me sad. Very soon children might not know what real books are like.

Sussie Farrell, US

Too much heat over cooling

With reference to your editorial Agree on degrees (June 3), the optimum temperature depends very much upon the individual.

However, almost all air-conditioning systems here are poorly designed and they are managed even worse. There are hot and cold spots everywhere, there is condensation, too much internal humidity, poor air flow, inaccurate thermostats, poorly positioned temperature probes, return air inlets in the wrong place – the list goes on.

Energy saving can occur without resetting the thermostat. But satisfying every individual’s need for their preferred temperature is a harder task by far.

Dave Pryce, Dubai

The ideal room temperature is 24°C with 70 per cent relative humidity. However, controlling the relative humidity is nigh impossible. Therefore, people tend to lower the temperature so that it feels cooler.

Geraint Jones, Abu Dhabi

Blatter staying on far too long

It's good to know that Sepp Blatter has quit (Drama in Zurich as Blatter quits Fifa, June 3). However, despite having resigned he will continue to remain acting president of Fifa until they find a successor.

He should have been escorted out of the building rather than allowed to remain in the role and influence those around him or possibly hide evidence.

Janet Cox, Abu Dhabi