Inspiration from strong women is good for the soul

A readers discussions illumination in unlikely places. Other topics: oil prices, electric cars and food cost

A reader discusses lessons women can teach us. Antonie Robertson / The National

I am writing about your report on the Filipina camp "mother" (Camp 'mother' gets job done in Abu Dhabi suburb, April 4). The article about how Theresa Culianan, a 58-year-old woman from Philippines who effectively manages her team of female employees coming from diverse backgrounds and different age groups, is very interesting to read.

It feels good to know that she progressed in her career through hard work and is now leading by example. Women like her are an inspiration to others, who dedicate their lives and sacrifice their happiness for the sake of their families even when it means living apart.

Also, these women who work under the her supervision are worthy of praise to have left their families and homes for the sake of earning a livelihood in a foreign land. All these women are an example to the world and I was very pleased to read one of their stories.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Not so fast for electric cars

I found your editorial on electric cars interesting (Time to kiss petrol cars goodbye? April 5). Yet there are a number of factors that are preventing electric cars from taking over the roads in the short term.

Until battery charging becomes quicker and easier, petrol prices push much higher and governments legislate larger car taxes and incentives for electric, we will still be driving the cars we know and love.

At this point, people are still driven by their own bottom lines and are unable to make decisions based just on the environment.

Dave Pryce, Abu Dhabi

No two ways about it, electric cars are the future and I am excited about them.

Kari-Pekka Lankinen, Germany

Food prices remain high

Some of the food prices in top-end hotel restaurants are out of control. Dh250 for a main course seems unrealistic in the current economic climate.

I believe that they need a sharp correction. Customers are voting with their feet and staying away. The mid range, value-for-money eateries will thrive over the next year or two.

Dolores Wilson, Abu Dhabi

Who founded Australia?

I have many thoughts about Sholto Byrnes's recent column about Australia (Australia wasn't 'found': it was invaded by Britain, April 5). Considering Australia belongs to the Aborigines, the native Australians, who have now lost everything and hardly even have any representation in Australian government, pretty much like the native Americans, then I'd say "invasion" is probably the right word to use.

It was invaded and used as a dumping ground. Technically to say a land was “found”, it would need to have been completely free of any humans living on it.

If the land was occupied by Abonginal tribes, as in this case, who were chased away and murdered, then it is an invasion.

John Paravalos, Dubai

The native Aborigines of Australia were massacred on their own land by the British.

Australia’s history is sad to read and a visit to Fraser Island will reveal atrocities that took place there.

Daisy Tito, Dubai

Changing oil economics

Regarding your piece (A former Opec insider tells how global oil pricing got flipped on its head, April 3), the issue of pricing is complex and I'm not certain if even the oil producers have a good grip on it. It's about time someone took a deep dive into the pricing mechanism, to understand how it works.

We assume that prices change based on market fundamentals such as supply and demand, but is this really the case? We've seen prices fluctuate based on investor sentiment, the strength of the dollar and interest rates.

Largely, like any other commodity the macroeconomic environment plays a major role on the demand side while producers affect the supply side. However is it possible for producers to keep pace with demand? There's always going to be a lag between production and demand. The issue is how long does it take to adjust.

It’s not just overproduction but the build up of large inventories that must find its way through the demand cycle if prices are to rebound or the market to re balance.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai