Support the ban on disposable phone chargers

A reader welcomes the ban on one-time-use phone chargers. Other topics: solar energy, forms of personal address, sushi chef

A reader welcomes the ban on single phone chargers. Courtesy Dubai Municipality

Regarding the news item One-time-use phone chargers banned in Dubai (May 18), when I first saw these being sold at a petrol station, I wondered what the point was.

They only give you 30 per cent charge, not to mention the impact on the environment. I’m happy to know they will be banned here.

Sabrina Hoehn, Dubai

No easy solution to tailgating

In reference to the news item Tailgating causes 8 deaths in 73 accidents in first quarter of 2017 (May 18), here's a suggestion. In the United States, police actually hide on the highways to catch speeders and tailgaters.

How about that being done here? Also, I drive in the left lane going to Dubai and I never go over the speed limit. Some motorists drive at 160kph and above.

So basically they want you to get out of the way so they can break the speed limit and the law.

Something “innovative” has to be done to combat this deadly problem.

Sara Smith, Dubai

Sushi chef is famous in US

Because of a massive fan following, Katsuya Uechi joined a restaurant group in the United States called SBE (A chat with sushi master Katsuya Uechi about his Dubai restaurant, Katsuya by Starck, May 17).

With its help he was able to branch his name to Brentwood, Los Angeles, Encino, Hollywood and Glendale. In my opinion, the group became wildly successful, but fizzled to an average chain restaurant in recent years.

Unless Mr Uechi is personally serving you, you’ll probably get an amateur chef with his recipes.

Johnny FC, US

Saying yes sir is not always bad

Expressions of courtesy such as "yes sir" and "yes mam" are common in the American states in the south. ('No Sir, No Madam' campaign calls on Indians to abandon its fawning culture, May 17). Children are taught this from a very early age, which they continue into adulthood and it is not demeaning to address anyone with these words, as they do not connote superiority. You will also find this in workplaces.

In fact, I find it very endearing. I am from the south and my grandchildren were brought up to speak in this manner.

Diane Monet Nobles-Eldakak, US

The real respect is shown in other ways, not by using “sir” and “madam”, in my opinion. Even if you call a senior director by his name but you show respect through your behaviour and actions, it should be fine. Different people, different cultures. The change should come from within, not imposed.

Violeta Amet, Abu Dhabi

You will hear myself and my children refer to a male caretaker as “sir”. While it’s a common southern courtesy, it’s particularly important when someone is older than you or providing a service for you.

Shannon Webb Bernal, Abu Dhabi

It’s a sad reality that in some cultures these forms of address are often used to express submission to someone with a higher status.

Mohamed Abushaker, Dubai

Is the EU too interfering?

Regarding the story Philippines to reject grants from ‘interfering’ Europe (May 19), the aim of the EU aid is to help poor countries and to make them self-reliant. But if a country tries to be self-reliant, why shoud the EU interfere?

Cindy Valera, Dubai