Ideas of etiquette on Dubai Metro fail the sniff test

Indians who languish in jail awaiting trial represent a major challenge for the country, a reader says. Photo: Mukesh Gupta / Reuters

As you describe in your story, Dubai Metro etiquette is a must but it is sadly lacking (September 9), the etiquette I've encountered on the Metro has been horrible.

This is the only place I’ve been where people push to get on the train without letting the passengers off first.

I don’t see how more carriages would solve this problem – people need to learn Metro etiquette and use common sense.

Crystal Coleman, Dubai

In general, I agree that etiquette is really bad particularly when dealing with rush hour at some of the busiest stations.

There are ways to avoid this, such as travelling in Gold Class or outside of rush hour on the busiest routes, but a good metro system should accommodate this much more consistently.

I am glad that the issue of eye contact and staring is being addressed. It is really disturbing in a crowded public space.

However, the article fails to mention a particular habit that is crucial to crowded public spaces: personal hygiene.

This is not to say everyone has to wear expensive pungent perfumes, which can also be a problem, but the mixture of personal body odour and last night’s dinner can become utterly unbearable when multiplied in a concentrated area like a Metro carriage.

Brandon López, Dubai

Delayed justice a major problem

Your recent editorial, For India, justice delayed is justice denied (September 7), touches on a very critical issue.

Quite apart from the economic challenges India is facing, dealing with inmates poses one of the country’s biggest issues in a long time. The recent landmark ruling of the Supreme Court to free inmates awaiting trail who have already served half the maximum possible term is a favourable move that will see the release of tens of thousands of prisoners.

Even though a law already exists for the release of remand prisoners, it has not been enforced, leaving inmates to languish in various prisons across the country for years.

There have also been reports of untimely deaths of inmates while in custody, which should also serve as a stain on the world’s largest democracy’s reputation on personal freedom.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

How to appreciate Fujairah’s charms

With regard to your article, Fujairah to tap tourism potential (September 9), Fujairah has many historical sites and after living in the UAE for many years, it remains one of my favourite places to visit.

For me personally it is the history and the culture that appeal to me.

Jude Bonner, Dubai

Fujairah is a place of great natural beauty that is best left like that.

I believe the emirate should put a moratorium on new buildings and resorts to retain its natural charm.

Talal Harb Alzuhair, Dubai

Give a fair impression of the UAE’s Filipinos

Your articles about Filipino officials and politicians visiting workers who have got in trouble while working overseas – and especially here in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – seem to me to show these officials using these workers’ plights for their own political exposure.

I find it unfair that officials from my country, the Philippines, get publicity for supposedly saving abused and distressed workers.

These reports are not balanced with the stories of the many Filipinos here – and especially in medical fields – who are gainfully employed and comfortably settled with their families in the UAE. Many are able to send substantial remittances home.

It would be nice to read more features about successful foreign workers here in UAE.

We should be thankful for a country that provides employment and the chance of a comfortable life that Filipinos would be unlikely to achieve back home.

Name withheld by request

Extreme piercings cannot be justified

Your story about Rolf Buchholz, Most pierced man among top 10 Google searches in UAE (September 5), was interesting to read.

Piercing is fashionable and is thrilling to some people, but this man’s appearance is not just threatening to airport authorities but also to the public.These kind of piercings should not be allowed.

K Ragavan, United States

Kashmir improving, but help is needed

I read with interest your story, Kashmiris in UAE fear for family caught in floods back home (September 9).

It seems the situation now is getting little better but there are still rescue operations going on. The main issue is if the roads are bad, communication becomes a big problem and so too does access to food and drinking water.

Mohsin Shawl, Abu Dhabi