In reference to your article How to steer clear of the hard sell tactics from UAE and international banks (September 20), I would like to point out that it's not only sales people from banks that make cold calls. I receive calls and spam text messages from Etisalat trying to get me to upgrade my data package. They are equally annoying.
Jeffrey Martin, UK
I have a friend who just keeps them on the line for as long as possible by asking questions. He does this especially to those aggressive representatives of companies selling financial products.
It works a treat as they then can’t hit their hourly call target. As for me, I store their numbers as “do not answer”.
Louise Halmkan Slantenburg, Abu Dhabi
This matter is not tough to handle, especially for smartphone users. First time you cut the phone off, then block the number. You can do the same for text messages.
Peter Lemmens, Dubai
UAE needs to evaluate education model
Regarding your news report UAE schools should be up with the world's best (September 21), it's a good plan, but in my humble opinion, one of the biggest problems with the secondary education system here is that it is easily influenced by a variety of so-called "successful models" in other nations.
No one seems to question why they are successful, nor does anyone take into account that these models are aimed at a completely different culture that does not share the same beliefs, norms or values as this country. Therefore, while the “Finnish model” is successful in Finland, bringing it here will not guarantee success.
Name withheld by request
The authorities first need to monitor teachers to ensure that they do their jobs properly. In many schools teachers do not teach properly, as a result of which parents put their children in private coaching classes.
Shereen Wessam, Dubai
White coat risky for hospital staff
Your editorial on the wearing of lab coats is timely but possibly overdue (Uniform response, September 22).
The UK has completely banned white coats in hospitals and medical facilities as well, purely for the fact that sleeves and pockets could harbour bacteria. If we are concerned that it may pass to the general public, surely there must be a greater risk for people in hospital – who by default are sicker and hence more susceptible to infection. Something to consider?
Manickam Vairavan, Abu Dhabi
Use arms only to defeat ISIL
I do not like to see weapons and tanks (Iraq's Kurdish fighters get arms made by ally from the enemy, September 20), but I like to see them in the hands of those who are out to defeat ISIL. I have great admiration and respect for the courage of the Kurdish fighters, women included.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
Do not take safety for granted
I refer to the editorial Perception of crime in the UAE contrasts with the reality (September 21). I have been living in the UAE for the past 10 years and personally I never felt unsafe at any point of time.
Ankita Bhowmick, Dubai
It is better to inform people about the reality. I also thought that Dubai was safe, until someone stole my bag from my car while I was in the vehicle.
If I knew that such things might happen, I would have been more careful. When I wrote about my experience on Facebook, I came to know that the same thing happened to some other people as well.
I know that this place is safer than many other countries, but people should not take safety for granted. Informing people can go a long way to maintaining a safe environment.
Shima Mehri, Dubai
Company%20Profile
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Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
SQUADS
South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed
Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5