Banks make it too easy for us to get in debt

A reader is concerned that salaries are not keeping up with the cost of living. Other topics: lending and school bullying.

A reader is concerned that salaries are not keeping up with the cost of living. Sarah Dea / The National

I read UAE residents crushed by a mountain of debt (July 24) with interest.

I believe that a lot of expatriates take out loans so they can send the money home to build a house or cover some other debt. It is an accelerated way to get what they want while living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

The banks provide these loans very easily. In my four years of living in UAE, I never got into debt or accepted a loan.

But the banks make it very tempting for some people.

Rohan George, South Africa

I am a single mother and I have no credit card and I have never taken out a loan.

I live on a month-to-month basis and I don’t know what the future holds. However, I don’t trust banks at all.

Fayamaya Erum, Dubai

I feel sorry for people with heavy debts, but I wonder why they borrowed so much. Did they ever think about how they were going to pay it back?

Gula Smits-Gojayeva, Abu Dhabi

If you don’t know how to use your resources, then regardless of what you have it will never be enough.

Be wise when dealing with banks. Nothing is bad unless you misuse it.

Jamil Tekedil, Dubai

Don’t be afraid to take a loan; don’t be afraid to take a risk. But please put the capital you receive to good use.

Benefit from it; multiply it; use it wisely. Take good advice and honour your commitments. Then do it again.

That’s the path to prosperity.

Feroz Shah, Sri Lanka

No need to buy latest gadgets

In reference to UAE residents fear rising cost of living (July 24), I agree that everything is expensive.

But many people live beyond their means; they want the best brands and like to show off. As soon as a new iPhone model is out, people have to have it.

Ajay Thombre, Dubai

Petrol goes up, but wages don’t

Why is the cost of petrol rising in the UAE (Time is right to deregulate fuel prices, July 26) when all over the world it is getting cheaper?

The latest rise may mean that food costs will increase and taxis get more expensive. Unfortunately, salaries will not change.

Robert Bradley, Abu Dhabi

Public transport is not a good alternative to driving. It is not accessible to everyone and does not go everywhere. It is limited and often inconvenient.

Imagine what it would be like trying to get around on public transport at the height of summer with a baby.

John Paravalos, Dubai

Parents should help stop bullies

It is extremely disappointing to read that violent behaviour is increasing in schools (New call to curb violence in Dubai schools, July 26).

The growing influence on children of digital technology, movies and other media has changed schoolyard behaviour, sometimes leading to violence.

Teachers must be given adequate training to handle children right from day one, and all schools should have a strong and effective counselling service that monitors children’s behaviour.

And some parents will have to change their own conduct at home, as this could affect the way children behave in the classroom.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

It should be the sole responsibility of mothers and fathers to ensure that their children behave well at school.

Those children who keep harming others physically should be sent home, and their parents must be made accountable for their conduct.

It is best to expel students who don't want to learn because there are many other children waiting in the queue for admission.

Matthew Litty, Dubai

Teaching starts at home. Children need to learn that their actions have consequences – real and serious consequences.

Playing the blame game or laughing off the matter is not a solution, and neither is pushing the job of discipline on to schools. Teachers can only do so much and are only paid to do so much. They are not babysitters.

Behaviour is learnt at home, and bad behaviour must first be corrected by parents. They must not expect schools, daycare centres or maids to do their parenting for them.

If you don't want to parent, don't have children. Jean Ng Lewis, Abu Dhabi