Bad parking or not, cyber abuse is unwarranted

Readers discuss the case of an Australian expatriate deported for cyber-abuse. Other topics: Ramadan memories, labourers' plight and sweat benefits.

Readers voice diverse views about the benefits of working out in the heat. Antonie Robertson / The National

With regard to your editorial about finding the balance between privacy and freedom of expression (FNC can help find balance on social media and privacy, July 16), I'm an Emirati and I can tell you one thing: nobody has the right to swear at others or shame others using social media.

If she had an issue with the parking, she should have informed the police. It’s an offence to swear or curse at others in our country so of course she’s going to get deported – and it’s a good lesson.

This has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It has to do with disrespectful behaviour and cursing at others. Everyone should know this – it doesn’t matter where you are from.

Amalie Suhaila Beljafla, UK

The most useful thing she could have done was to call the police and have the car removed. This would have assisted the handicapped community, which was surely the priority.

As I understand it, whether the disabled spaces are designated by the building or by the authorities affects whether the police can remove, clamp or ticket a car. I am not sure how posting on Facebook was going to achieve anything.

The police, the owners’ association or building security etc would probably have been the better option, although that is with the benefit of hindsight.

Donna Lee-Elliott, Dubai

When you decide to visit or live in another country, you need to either observe their laws and customs or stay home.

If more countries were strict with what is posted online to deride others, we wouldn’t have such high incidences of cyber-bullying.

Sonja Minic, Australia

For those who say that the rules are not being applied equally, if you look you will see expat women who wear inappropriately revealing clothing. It is totally disrespectful – but I am not aware of Emiratis posting pictures and shaming them for wearing disrespectful clothes.

Nobody is forcing expats to stay in the UAE. If they can’t live with the rules, they can leave. Even in their own countries, they would feel bad if their government sided with an expat.

Zanaib Naz, Dubai

Muezzin call is a special moment

I have enjoyed reading your series on Ramadan memories (My Ramadan: 'Tales from days gone make holy month special') and even though I am not Muslim and have not been fasting, I have one of my own.

During the Holy Month, the roads are especially quiet during Maghreb and Taraweeh prayer times. When I walk my dog at a nearby park around 9pm, there is nothing so beautiful and calming as being able to hear this call to prayer. With so little traffic noise, the call echoes over the whole park and it is so peaceful it makes me stop in my tracks and close my eyes just to listen to it.

Jean Francoise Lewis, Abu Dhabi

A reminder of our shared humanity

Your story about the group acting with kindness towards labourers in the UAE (Volunteer group aims to dispel myths about Emiratis, July 15) raises an important point.

How often do any of us talk with them, getting to know who they are and where they come from? Most of us complain too much but we earn far more and do jobs that are far less physically arduous.

Most of the labourers I have approached while heading to work say God helps them cope.

We should all copy these Emiratis’ iniative so that these labourers feel valued. A pleasant smile directed toward them and a pat on their back will certainly help their day off to a good start.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

We should remember these people all through the year, not only in Ramadan.

Osama Yassin, Abu Dhabi

Is sweating really good for health?

With regard to your story, Dubai fitness fans sweat it out whatever the weather (July 16), sweating is not as good as it is thought because when the body feels dehydrated, it slows down the metabolism, resulting in fewer calories being burnt.

Sweating is just a mechanism to cool down the body.

Irene Cita, Dubai

It is amazing to know that there are fitness enthusiasts in Dubai who are willing to exercise in hot and humid conditions rather than being in an air-conditioned facility.

From what I have heard, sweating is extremely good for health and is the body’s own way to cool down. Also, sweating helps burn fats and calories effortlessly, which is more difficult to achieve at indoor gyms.

There is nothing better than breathing fresh air and exercising under the open skies. It has a calming effect on the mind too.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah