Observing life: Ramadan, the perfect time to reflect and relax

I was totally bowled over by the radically different pace of life in Cyprus compared to the hustle and bustle of Dubai. Might it be time to slow down?

I’ve just returned from a few days’ break in Cyprus and have to say I was totally bowled over by the radically different pace of life there compared to the hustle and bustle of Dubai. I’ve rarely encountered anywhere so relaxed; most of the population seemed so laid-back, you could probably beat them round the head with a wet fish and they’d just look at you quizzically before getting on with the next plate of their seafood mezze.

Of course, holiday islands such as this can afford to be chilled out – that’s part of what makes them a good holiday island and the machinations of global business aren’t such a key feature as they are in a city such as Dubai, but I still couldn’t help wondering if we could learn a few lessons from the more relaxed approach to life. For example, although things moved at what externally appeared to be a catatonic pace, everything was still done with remarkable efficiency. Taxis arrived as booked – and knew where they were going, orders in restaurants were delivered as ordered and requests for information about trips or locations were met with a friendly, informed response. Basically, those working in the tourism industry knew their product.

Compare that with the apparent accepted wisdom in Dubai’s eateries that hiring more staff makes for better service. I find quite the opposite is often the case, particularly when the staff regularly get the order wrong, bring different people’s meals at different times so one poor soul is always left eating alone at the end and the other myriad niggles of eating in Dubai that I’m sure I can’t be alone in encountering (not everywhere, of course, but too often).

Just the night before I flew to Cyprus, I had a meal out (halloumi, ironically) in Dubai. On this occasion, I’m pleased to say, our orders arrived correctly and concurrently, but the restaurant was fairly quiet and no fewer than four different waitresses came over to ask if our food was OK. There’s a fine line between polite, professional interest and borderline harassment, and this was getting close to crossing it.

Having returned with Ramadan already under way, perhaps this could be an ideal time to spread some of that relaxed vibe to my fellow residents since things slow down at this time of year anyway. Drivers – try not to get so angry when the guy in the big 4x4 cuts into that parking space. Restaurants – if you’re empty, tell your staff to take five, don’t feel they always have to be doing something. Customer-service call centres – no, let’s be realistic, I think they’re beyond redemption the world over.

I noticed on pulling up outside my building from the airport that my building management seemed to have taken my advice already. It seems the building security contract had passed over to a new company in my absence and I was greeted by some fairly friendly chaps on the door wearing a pretty simple shirt-and-tie combo. The previous company had preferred the full pseudo-paramilitary approach with epaulettes and matching berets, and it sometimes felt like you were returning home to the seat of an uprising. Just this minor change seems to have already made the place a more relaxed one.

So, whether you’re celebrating the Holy Month or not, maybe we can all see if we can use this traditional time of spiritual reflection to just relax and carry that through to Eid and beyond. Otherwise, I may need another holiday.