This country has the most amazing stores and offers the best shopping experience (UAE consumers speak out on biggest annoyances while shopping, October 7). Unfortunately, customer service is not so good.
Customer-service professionals seem to focus on how to mob customers and rob them of the joys of idle browsing, as opposed to informing them about the products on sale.
Elizabeth Doherty, Dubai
Sales staff need to be taught about acceptable behaviour in different cultures. Western culture is generally about smiling and saying hello and then leaving the person alone. They will come to you if they require help. Other cultures might prefer to be served immediately and waited upon.
Giles Heaton, Dubai
I hate it when salespersons follow me around with their sales pitch. It makes me feel either pressured or as if I am being guarded.
A person who is interested to buy something can approach a salesperson.
Mj Uy, Philippines
It’s incredibly annoying when sales staff mob you as soon as you walk into a store. I have lost count of the number of times I have turned around and walked out. The sooner sales managers adopt a proper approach to sales and customer service the better for everyone.
Simon Buckerfield, UK
Prices and service were bad in UK stores. Then e-commerce took over. Now you can’t find what you want in stores and the service is even worse. I hope UAE retailers up their game before consumers are left with no choice but to shop online.
Ben Adamson, Dubai
Happiness is very important
If you put too much responsibility on children to obtain the best grades, they will lose interest in learning (Overemphasis on success is driving children to despair, October 5). We should encourage every child to pursue their interests and talent without pressuring them.
April Tarman, Dubai
Schools need to focus on children’s happiness. Education is not about creating a society full of geniuses.
Karen Cristina Hernández Agreda, Dubai
Happiness is more important than scores. I wish schools realised this.
Abeer Al Nowais, Abu Dhabi
Crucial lesson in democracy
I liked the article Dubai voters teach their children democracy by example, says Sheikh Mohammed (October 3). I always did the same.
I never take the right to vote for granted. It may feel, at times, that it doesn’t matter, but just keep doing it. The Government should involve the children in the vote by creating a ballot and booth just for them.
David W Blandford, US
Shark auction is shocking
Sometimes we visit the Dubai fish and vegetable market in the evening to enjoy the atmosphere. But I came in for a shock recently as we found about 200 sharks of various types and sizes – from less than half a metre to adult fish – lined up for auctioning.
We were surprised because we thought that shark meat was not very popular in this region. A trader explained that those sharks came from Oman and that they were mainly fished for their fins. There was no doubt about it.
After a rather silent auctioning, a man came and systematically chopped off all the fins and carted them away to a cooling truck.
The carcasses, the trader said, would be taken to factories in Sharjah to be dried and exported mainly to Sri Lanka. But the real money is in the fins that fetch thousands of dollars in some markets.
I hope steps are taken to stop this mindless slaughtering of sharks.
Rita Amer, Mirdif, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company%20profile
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
First-round leaderbaord
-5 C Conners (Can)
-3 B Koepka (US), K Bradley (US), V Hovland (Nor), A Wise (US), S Horsfield (Eng), C Davis (Aus);
-2 C Morikawa (US), M Laird (Sco), C Tringale (US)
Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)
Level B DeChambeau (US), J Rose (Eng)
1 L Westwood (Eng), J Spieth (US)
3 R McIlroy (NI)
4 D Johnson (US)
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
