I was reading today's Gulf News, and came across the section where they ask people to give their opinion about a specific topic. Today's topic: Things to do this summer, and the statement was "Parents should allow their children 18 years or older to travel on budget holidays".
Two our of the four people interviewed said that "18 is too young for children to travel alone" and that "25 or above is a good age because then they are adults".
WHAT?? That's a bunch of crap if you ask me...and that's the reason why some young men and women are irresponsible and immature.
At 18, (well, at 17 actually), I was off to university. I lived on my own in a foreign country where I knew practically no one. Yes, it was difficult, but in hindsight, I am happy I got to live through such an experience. It made me stronger. It made me more confident. It made me responsible.
Before that,I lived in the UAE, where, like many children, I led a pampered life, with no chores, no worries...nothing to do.
In the span of a long flight across the world, I was transported to a city where I had my own apartment which I now had to clean myself. I had to make my own bed. I had to learn how to use an ATM machine. I had to buy my own groceries. I had to do my own laundry and my dishes. I had to call the utilities company to get my phone set up. All these were things I had taken for granted.
So, in response to those parents who won't let their kids travel before the age of 25, I ask: why not? Let them learn, let them experience things, let them build their personalities, let them be responsible, let them grow. Don't think that you're protecting your children by smothering them.
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
To tip or not to tip...that is the question
According to this 7Days article, Westerners are better tippers that Arabs. It doesn't seem like it's based on any factual or statistical evidence, but one thing I agree with is that no rules are set in the UAE about tipping, and this can lead to some confusion.
In general, I prefer to tip rather than not tip. And while the below is just an idea of what I feel are right amounts to tip, I may be wrong, so feel free to give your own assessment about tipping.
1) Taxi drivers: I tend to round up the fare, or give an extra 5 dhs (in Dubai). In Abu Dhabi, I round up the fare or give an extra dirham or two. Except if the driver is rude, like the one time the driver screamed at me for getting slightly lost. Then I don't tip at all!
2) Waiters/waitresses: If there's a 15% service charge included on the bill, then I usually don't tip. If there isn't, I give a 15% tip.
3) Food delivery people: depending on the size of the order, anywhere between 5 and 10 dirhams.
4) Hairdresser: I tip the hairdresser (anywhere between 10 to 30 dirhams, depending on whether it's just a blow-dry, a cut, or highlights) and the person who washed my hair (5 dirhams).
5) Nail technician/masseuse: 10 dirhams each.
6) Car cleaning/car drying men at the carwash: 10 to 20 dirhams, depending on how many there are.
7) Person doing repairs at the house: Dhs 10 (varies, depending on the extent of the repairs)
8) Person carrying your groceries to the car: 3 to 5 dirhams, depending on the amount of change I have.
9) Cleaning lady: 10 Dirhams for 2 hours of work.
10) Bartender: I usually don't tip....which is weird because in Canada I'd always leave a dollar per drink. Should I be tipping the bartender?
I can't think of anyone else that I usually tip...I must have forgotten someone. Any thoughts?
In general, I prefer to tip rather than not tip. And while the below is just an idea of what I feel are right amounts to tip, I may be wrong, so feel free to give your own assessment about tipping.
1) Taxi drivers: I tend to round up the fare, or give an extra 5 dhs (in Dubai). In Abu Dhabi, I round up the fare or give an extra dirham or two. Except if the driver is rude, like the one time the driver screamed at me for getting slightly lost. Then I don't tip at all!
2) Waiters/waitresses: If there's a 15% service charge included on the bill, then I usually don't tip. If there isn't, I give a 15% tip.
3) Food delivery people: depending on the size of the order, anywhere between 5 and 10 dirhams.
4) Hairdresser: I tip the hairdresser (anywhere between 10 to 30 dirhams, depending on whether it's just a blow-dry, a cut, or highlights) and the person who washed my hair (5 dirhams).
5) Nail technician/masseuse: 10 dirhams each.
6) Car cleaning/car drying men at the carwash: 10 to 20 dirhams, depending on how many there are.
7) Person doing repairs at the house: Dhs 10 (varies, depending on the extent of the repairs)
8) Person carrying your groceries to the car: 3 to 5 dirhams, depending on the amount of change I have.
9) Cleaning lady: 10 Dirhams for 2 hours of work.
10) Bartender: I usually don't tip....which is weird because in Canada I'd always leave a dollar per drink. Should I be tipping the bartender?
I can't think of anyone else that I usually tip...I must have forgotten someone. Any thoughts?
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone!
Too tired to post anything else...I am functioning on 4 hours of really bad sleep, but I will divulge celebration details later.
Oh! And a belated Eid Mubarak too! My computer has suffered a slight injury, so access to internet has been more limited lately...
I can't believe I am back at work tomorrow...ugh....This vacation has passed waaaay too quickly!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
New year's Eid?
When will Eid al Adha fall this year?
While it's never clear when Eid falls, this year, the issue is of particular interest to those who feel like clubbing and celebrating on the night of the 31st.
If Eid falls on the 1st on January, then New Year's Eve is considered a "dry night", meaning no alcohol is to be served in clubs. If, however, Eid falls on the 31st of December, then the "dry night" is on December 30th.
According to this report, a decision will be made within the next seven days....and yet, in the same report, it's mentioned that when Eid will fall will "depend on the moon"....so how can a decision be made within 7 days then? My bet is that Eid will conveniently fall on December 31st, to ensure that the 31st is not a dry night, in order to avoid depriving hotels and clubs (and the economy) of cashing in on what's probably considered THE night of the year to them.
That being said, why is New Year's such a big deal anyway. Why does the 31st of December have to be the night for people to go all out? Why can't they do the same thing any other night of the year? I just don't understand why someone would pay 4-5 times the price of a regular night out, to go to a place where they'll end up doing the same thing they'd do on any other regular night out (listening to the same music, partying with the same people, having the same drinks, etc...).
New Year's is so overrated!
While it's never clear when Eid falls, this year, the issue is of particular interest to those who feel like clubbing and celebrating on the night of the 31st.
If Eid falls on the 1st on January, then New Year's Eve is considered a "dry night", meaning no alcohol is to be served in clubs. If, however, Eid falls on the 31st of December, then the "dry night" is on December 30th.
According to this report, a decision will be made within the next seven days....and yet, in the same report, it's mentioned that when Eid will fall will "depend on the moon"....so how can a decision be made within 7 days then? My bet is that Eid will conveniently fall on December 31st, to ensure that the 31st is not a dry night, in order to avoid depriving hotels and clubs (and the economy) of cashing in on what's probably considered THE night of the year to them.
That being said, why is New Year's such a big deal anyway. Why does the 31st of December have to be the night for people to go all out? Why can't they do the same thing any other night of the year? I just don't understand why someone would pay 4-5 times the price of a regular night out, to go to a place where they'll end up doing the same thing they'd do on any other regular night out (listening to the same music, partying with the same people, having the same drinks, etc...).
New Year's is so overrated!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
So when's it happening?
The question on everyone's lips today is: "when is Eid happening?".
People working in the public sector don't really care, they're getting most of next week off.
But for us private sector people, the question is an important one. Are we getting a 4 day weekend, or a butchered workweek?
The possibilities are as follows:
- Eid could be on Sunday, which means that we'll get Sunday and Monday off (hence the 4-day weekend, Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon)
- Eid could be on Monday, which means we'll get a butchered workweek (Fri-Sat off, work on Sunday, then Mon-Tue off)
- My company could decide to generously give us 3 days off (which is what my sister is getting...I'm so jealous!)
Surely, there must be a better way to decide when Eid is, other than waiting for the moon to make up its mind. I can't believe that with all the technology we have, the satellites and the telescopes, we can't find out when Eid really is?
It makes planning a long weekend so difficult....Sure, I could take Sunday off, regardless...but work commitments do not allow me to do that. This really sucks....
People working in the public sector don't really care, they're getting most of next week off.
But for us private sector people, the question is an important one. Are we getting a 4 day weekend, or a butchered workweek?
The possibilities are as follows:
- Eid could be on Sunday, which means that we'll get Sunday and Monday off (hence the 4-day weekend, Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon)
- Eid could be on Monday, which means we'll get a butchered workweek (Fri-Sat off, work on Sunday, then Mon-Tue off)
- My company could decide to generously give us 3 days off (which is what my sister is getting...I'm so jealous!)
Surely, there must be a better way to decide when Eid is, other than waiting for the moon to make up its mind. I can't believe that with all the technology we have, the satellites and the telescopes, we can't find out when Eid really is?
It makes planning a long weekend so difficult....Sure, I could take Sunday off, regardless...but work commitments do not allow me to do that. This really sucks....
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