Dark window tints are a clear danger

Reader calls for cracking down on cars with dark-tinted windows. Other topics: recycling, UAE society

A reader calls for cracking down on cars with dark-tinted windows. Asmaa Al Hameli / The National

With reference to your article on changing driving habits in 2017 (Buckle up and put down the phone in 2017, January 1), the issue that is constantly ignored as a major contributing factor to some of the most dangerous driving offences is that of blacked-out windows.

Not only does it severely restrict the driver’s awareness of what is around, but it stops other drivers from being able to see what may happen at junctions and roundabouts, for instance.

It also gives a false sense of security that behind the blacked-out glass, no one can see what they are doing, so texting and using the phone are perfectly OK.

It’s one of the simplest things to enforce and would have the fastest and greatest impact, but it’s completely ignored.

Name withheld by request

Expatriates and locals do mix

Who says Emaratis and expatriates cannot be friends (Life lessons: Let us – Emiratis and expats – join together as friends, December 31)? Someone did an incorrect survey. Some people have a language problem, but still they make friends.

Saeed Ali, Dubai

Just be yourself, show genuine interest and keep away your prejudices, and you can be friends with Emiratis. Also you have to understand that not all locals are alike. Just like expatriates, they come from different backgrounds.

Mohamed Abushaker, Dubai

Many of my closest friends are Emiratis. We speak with mutual honesty and respect. I think of them as family and treat them as such.

I know this is generalising, but really their kindness, generosity and love of laughter and people is heart-warming.

Tracy Wilson, Abu Dhabi

I asked that question to an Emirati man I met on a course in the United States.

He had the impression that in order to socialise with expatriates you have to frequent bars and drink. Maybe there is a point to that. Linda Lo, US

The truth is that most expatriates live in some distorted reality where they just hang out with people from their country or with similar backgrounds. They live in areas where similar people live; they give zero effort as far as learning the loca language and culture is concerned. Many of them land at the airport with a negative bias towards locals and don’t do anything to form their own opinion.

Because of these phenomena, Emiratis shy away from taking the first step. They are also afraid of being taken advantage of.

As such, Emiratis are welcoming, giving and caring. The amount of pride they take when they understand how genuinely you care about their language and culture is extraordinary.

In friendship, in love and in life, there is only one rule: you get what you give.

G Vidale, Dubai

Some issues over recycling

In reference to the news article Abu Dhabi to adopt colour-coded bins to make sure residents segregate waste (December 29), there are some buildings that are fitted with one waste chute and residents drop everything in it, while many other buildings do not have these facilities at all.

The residents of these buildings dump their rubbish in bins situated outside their buildings. This is why this plan will not work. There has to be infrastructure in place in every area.

Over the years I have noticed that much of these projects are concentrated in the main city. If that is the case, it should be given a second thought. Moreover, colour-coded bins are already in use in some areas in Abu Dhabi.

Much of the success of this project will depend on compelling the public to dispose of waste in a proper manner.

Name withheld by request