Just be alert at coffee shops

Readers urge customers at coffee shops to know the price of what they order. Other topics: UAE-India ties, energy drinks, entrepreneurs, medication

Readers urge customers at coffee shops to know the price of what they order. Christopher Pike / The National

With reference to the story Mocha shocker in coffee shop (August 15), just tell them exactly what you order and don’t say yes to everything they say. They have very good marketing skills. Always say your order as is, strong or medium, no extra shot and so on. Starbucks is as it is.

Alfie Neri Halibas, Abu Dhabi

There are better things to complain about than a Dh2 extra charge on coffee. It would be meaningful to complain about rents and school fees.

Saleh Badi, Dubai

UAE and India are important trading partners

With reference to the news item UAE and India partnership to be lifted by Modi visit (August 14), India considers the UAE an important trading partner, so it's natural that infrastructure development will figure prominently in the talks between the two countries.

One has to simply visit the Dubai Creek to see the outcome of the Indo-UAE relationship. It’s no surprise that a “little India” has emerged in the area, with spices and precious metals from the subcontinent traded on a daily basis. Many Indians now call Dubai home, providing both skilled and unskilled labour. India’s achievements in IT and engineering have created opportunities for many professionals seeking to export their skills. The heads of Google, Sun Micro Systems and Microsoft are all Indians. I believe that India could be the food basket for the UAE and the Middle East and I anticipate that the leaders of both nations will discuss trading oil for food.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

Move on energy drinks welcome

I am happy to know that Sharjah has banned energy drinks at restaurants and cafeterias (Sharjah's ban on energy drinks welcomed by parents and doctors, August 14). In the UK, too, it's illegal to sell these drinks to minors.

Phil Jones, Dubai

It is a step in the right direction. Energy drinks can have serious side effects on our health. These drinks may also lead to diabetes and other health conditions among young people.

Encourage these entrepreneurs

It's great to see young Emirati entrepreneurs showing interest in diverse fields (Abdullah Al Mazrouei is the master of spices, August 12). The government needs to encourage these type of businesses.

Dina Abou-Zahr, Abu Dhab

Will taxes really be helpful?

I refer to your editorial Tax change is necessary to diversify (August 14). It would be great if the authorities give priority to the welfare of residents. With expenses increasing and salaries stagnant, expatriates will have a difficult time.

Simple rules to succeed: force companies to pay for medical bills of staff, make schooling free and reduce rents.

Babar Naseem, Dubai

It’s a no-win situation. A tax-free economic model is unsustainable, but introducing and increasing taxes will erode the benefits of living here as an expatriate.

Toby Masson, Dubai

Finish course of medication

We have often faced situations where we have been left with unused medicines that make it to the rubbish bin. One of the underlying reasons for this problem is that the majority of people discontinue their course of medication once they start to recover.

Ideally, patients should complete the entire course even if they have made a full recovery. That’s because discontinuation of a course of medication can cause side effects.

Also, I think unused medicines should be donated to pharmacies or charity organisations, as long as they are valid and stored in a proper manner.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah