Call centre workers are doing their bet, and public feedback is helping them do even better. Satish Kumar / The National
Call centre workers are doing their bet, and public feedback is helping them do even better. Satish Kumar / The National

One way to improve service



Customer service is a big issue, and especially so when the consumer in question doesn’t have any choice. Such is the case if you are dealing, by necessity, with a government department. The stereotype, not just here but around the world, is that civil servants work at a somewhat more leisurely pace than their counterparts in private enterprise. That may or may not be true, but in either case it’s good to know that something is being done to ensure that the clients of government departments receive efficient and timely service.

As The National has reported, the General Secretariat of the Executive Council in Abu Dhabi has received feedback from a group of "mystery shoppers" who sampled the face-to-face, phone and email service provided by 38 departments. The aim is to come up with better, smarter ways to serve our needs.

The days of waiting in a seemingly endless queue may not entirely be over, but there is a strong light at the end of the tunnel.

Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
  • Floor Standing - Dh495
  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.