How do you react if you see a stranger flouting common rules of public conduct, such as by talking on a mobile phone in a cinema or tossing an empty cup on to the pavement? Do you confront them or ignore it?
We know that the reason humans function so well together in societies is because they keep each other in check when agreed social norms are violated. But an experiment conducted in Germany by researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi and the universities of Innsbruck and Cologne suggests that most people are reluctant to intervene when they see a violation of societal norms – and even more so when the offence is more egregious – because they fear retaliation.
What does this mean for the UAE? In a country of more than 200 nationalities, it can be hard to know exactly what the norms are. With queuing, for example, what is normal for British people is not, say, for Egyptians. Some people wait their turn at taxi stands while others just barge in, or give preference to the elderly and infirm.
While queuing and littering are obvious examples, we are asking our readers to think of less obvious behavious that are normal to some people, but offensive to others.
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
