Restaurants have become too expensive

Readers explain why restaurants are facing tough times. Other topics: animal welfare, money and love, reality show, window tints

Readers complain about the rising cost of dining out . Sarah Dea / The National

I refer to the news item Glee Hospitality executive reveals how UAE restaurants are coping with tough times (June 2).

This is not a new problem faced by the hospitality sector. It’s been the same for many years and during the summer months the market is incredibly tough for F&B outlets.

Lisa Carroll, Dubai

When you pay far more than you would in a western country and you get mediocre food and service, why keep going out? I’d rather save up to enjoy myself at home and on holiday.

Daniella How, Dubai

Why is everything being blamed on a so-called oil slump? Should we not tackle the problem head on? Prices have outstripped salaries for years, which is why we are facing what we are facing worldwide.

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

I left Dubai 10 months ago and on a return last month I found that the prices were notably higher – slump or no slump.

Steve McKeever, Dubai

My wife and I enjoy eating out. But these days we have to control ourselves as restaurants are becoming too pricey.

It’s not just me, but I know many people who feel the same way. While the cost of everything has gone up, people these days do not not earn adequately.

They are saving more as they are always afraid of losing their jobs. As a result, they are having to tighten their spending.

Although this country has a steady inflow of tourists, they too tend to spend less while dining out because, as your story mentions, the rise of the US dollar has made the dirham more expensive.

This issue is not going to go away any time soon.

Name withheld by request

Can money buy love?

For some money is what brings love ­– the more the money, the more the love they get (Woman ‘embezzles Dh11m to buy luxury gifts to woo potential boyfriend’, June 5).

For others money is not everything, because they know how to give value to other things in life. So maybe it’s about individuals and their preferences.

Yaseen Al Badawi, Sharjah

Money can never buy love and happiness.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

Reality show was cruel

I refer to the story Shah Rukh Khan fumes over Ramez Galal’s Ramadan TV prank (June 3). I think shows like this are cruel. Why do people enjoy watching someone who thinks they are in danger? It’s sick.

Barbara Radwan-Wiehe, Abu Dhabi

Animal carers doing great job

The abandoned baboon was sent to the vet after it was rescued by animal welfare workers (Abu Dhabi cat neutering project hopes to reduce numbers by thousands, June 5).

It was then sent to the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre, where it is receiving specialist care. Once out of quarantine, it will be integrated with other baboons at the centre.

The Abu Dhabi animal welfare community is doing great work for cats and dogs, but it should immediately contact ADWC when it deals with such cases. I am not sure why they didn’t do it at first, as they are aware of ADWC.

Petronella Barcellos, Abu Dhabi