In my life thus far, there are few occasions where I have been 'honored' in public platforms. Ha... I guess the first memorable one occured when I went on stage to receive a basketball shooting competition medal during my secondary school years. The second one was quite unexpected. I took part in a somewhat small scale 'beauty' contest and actually won first prize (there were only 3 other contestants, fyi.) To this date, hubby remembered the way I looked that day. I remember winning some cosmetics and a pretty Charles & Keith red heels. I shared the shopping voucher prize with mom.
The recent incident, I should say, is the third occasion when I feel truly proud of myself. Haha! I wrote an commentary article and it got published. Actually, hee... it was more of a complaint letter :p I recalled I had previously written a complaint letter to a telco company. My brother came across the soft copy in the PC and after reading it, commented that the writer is such a bitch!! ;(
Well, the recent letter was only my second 'complaint' letter. It was written more out of indignation and a call for corrective action. I was not at the scene when the arguement took place but I felt anger on behalf of my brother-in-law and hubby, as I witnessed them taking the nonsense from the lazy cleaners. Thought I might as well put my literacy skills to good use, since I can afford the time. I emailed my thoughts to the local press on 20 August 2008. It was published on the next day and was the first article among the letters. To know more what I am talking about, read what I have extracted from "7 Days" (Dubai's free newspaper) dated 21 August 2008:
(Title) Lazy staff need some green education
It is clear that the message to go green, recycle and to save our planet has gone out to the world. Major companies and developed countries have joined in to cut down on wastage and to encourage recycling. Dubai, as I read in the local papers, is also involved. However few they may be, I was encouraged to see recycling bins in public areas.
Last Friday, my family and I took pains to tie up old newspapers and transport them to the recycling bins at the bus stop outside Union supermarket (Al Wasl road). As the opening was too small to insert the newspapers into the bin, we left it neatly stacked beside the bins. Never did we expect to be rudely confronted by uniformed contractors (whom we assumed are either the cleaners or staff responsible for cleaning the bus stop or recycling bins). We were told that we cannot leave the newspapers there. We clarified that the newspapers were placed there for the very purpose the recycling bins were there. However, we were told off and repeatedly urged to remove the newspapers. Honestly, it was more convenient for us to dump the newspapers into the big trash bin outside our villa. Why would we spend time and money to buy raffia strings to tie up the papers and carry the newspapers and transport them to the recycle bins, if not for the part in just doing our bit for the environment? And why should some lazy staff who would rather spare themselves the trouble to carry the heavy load of newspapers get in the way of going green? I would like to suggest that recycle bins that have bigger openings be used, and relevant staff be educated on the need to recycle and not take the easy way out.
The title was renamed by the publisher. It was a better title, since it better reinforced the thrust of my letter, though the new title sounds less diplomatic. Ha!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Being a Woman in Dubai
Prior to coming here, I have heard much about how women are not meant to be seen and are lower in social status or even oppressed in middle eastern countries. Having been here for 2 months plus, I must say that Dubai is somewhat different.
Perhaps it's due to the opening up of Dubai to the world, women here are more 'free'. Women are allowed to drive here (there are even female taxi drivers!). Nevertheless, I do see the local women here dressed in black from head to toe, well, most of them. Have heard that how conservative they are dressed actually depends on their husbands! My housemate once told me that she had seen a local man, after talking to his wife, lifted up her veil. That left her face exposed (not just her eyes). And it seemed alright. No big racket about the more liberal difference in exposure. According to my housemate, it seemed that the husband was asking if the wife was feeling too hot, to which she replied yes... How sweet... Thus far, I have only seen for once, a local man holding the hand of his woman. That was in a shopping mall. Apart from that, it is usually a local man shopping with a few veiled women, usually his wives. Yes, all his wives. Up to 4, I was told...
Some local women here do not have their full faces covered, especially the younger ones. I supposed they are too young to be married, thus such laws do not apply to them? Not sure... I was kind of fascinated that some women, especially older ones, wear some sort of metal frame on their faces, then have the veil covered over it (I knew it cos' sometimes, they left their faces exposed while wearing the metal frame). Some women actually had their entire head covered. It's really quite a challenge to walk but I guess they have got used to it.
It's not uncommon to see local women shopping, even for clothing! I do wonder what the point was, to buy clothing from stores, when they seem to be wearing their traditional black dresses all the time! I was told that they wear the nicer clothing inside...... Well, perhaps it does matter to them... with the limited freedom they have, I guess even being able to wear it gives a good degree of personal satisfaction. Being a woman, I can empathise. Perhaps the local women do not need to cover themselves in black attire when they are indoors at home? That way, they can wear the nicer clothing? Hmm...... I really wonder......
Though I am not a local woman here, I was on the receiving end of privileged treatment today :) Yea, women here are quite 'protected' and priviliged. Buses have assigned seats for ladies. 2 incidents happened today to reinforce the privilege of being a woman here.
On my journey back to the villa, when the bus I have been waiting arrived, it did not stop as it was full. *Sigh* Peak hour traffic! I thought I would be stranded, cos the road I was waiting hardly have any taxis ride by. Even if so, it would be likely occupied due to the peak hours. When the next bus arrived, many swarmed to the door entrance. Here, the ratio of man to woman outdoors is almost like 15 to 1! As I was in a hurry to get back, I too hurried to the door entrance (remember: I have received pretty 'good grounding' as a Singaporean!). Then, I heard the driver shouted something which I could not make out of. Later, I heard a woman saying loudly "Excuse me!" as she wriggled herself through the sea of men towards the door exit. Aaahh!! The driver is going to take women only! Haha! That meant that there are still seats or standing space available for women! Up the bus I go! ;)
The bus was pretty packed. Though there are standard markings for seats assigned for women, it is not a rare sight to see men seated on them. What more it being a packed bus! I was a bit surprised though, that 2 men got up and gestured for me to sit. They were actually sitting on seats reseved for female passengers. Not knowing how to express my thanks verbally, I merely gave them a smile and nod. I got to sit! and have my shoulder rested from my bag! and have my arms rested from carrying my shopping bags! Yeah! =)
As the bus continued its journey, up some female passengers came. The driver actually told the men (who were seated at a view visible to the driver) in quite a rude manner to get up. I saw the men reluctantly got up and the women took the seats. Rightfully.
I recalled a past incident when a bus driver had threatened to report a male passenger to police, as that passenger had hurriedly board the bus, without letting the female passenger alight first. Not sure if there were any physical contact (be it accidental or intentional) but it was sure a big fuss that the driver kicked!
Well, whether it is the culture or religion warrants for it, I guess it's just a gentleman's way to give up his seat for a lady, regardless of whether the lady is well groomed or not as attractive-looking. I acknowledge that upbringing, education and culture all play a part in how a man will response. For me, perhaps I am just blessed that I am at the right place for now... Back in Singapore, whether you are woman or not, when you are at the MRT train entrance/exit doors, you squeeze in like every other tuna fish do! Where got privilege for women to board first? Body contact or not, everyone squeeze in! Everyone just can't afford to lose out to others who could board the train! Even if you are carrying heavy stuff or even pregnant, there is no guarantee that others will give up their seat for you...
Alright, I am not badmouthing my homeland. Am just not very proud of the kia-su and I-Me-Myself attitude of my own people. Guess at the end of the day, there are good things to learn from other cultures.
Perhaps it's due to the opening up of Dubai to the world, women here are more 'free'. Women are allowed to drive here (there are even female taxi drivers!). Nevertheless, I do see the local women here dressed in black from head to toe, well, most of them. Have heard that how conservative they are dressed actually depends on their husbands! My housemate once told me that she had seen a local man, after talking to his wife, lifted up her veil. That left her face exposed (not just her eyes). And it seemed alright. No big racket about the more liberal difference in exposure. According to my housemate, it seemed that the husband was asking if the wife was feeling too hot, to which she replied yes... How sweet... Thus far, I have only seen for once, a local man holding the hand of his woman. That was in a shopping mall. Apart from that, it is usually a local man shopping with a few veiled women, usually his wives. Yes, all his wives. Up to 4, I was told...
Some local women here do not have their full faces covered, especially the younger ones. I supposed they are too young to be married, thus such laws do not apply to them? Not sure... I was kind of fascinated that some women, especially older ones, wear some sort of metal frame on their faces, then have the veil covered over it (I knew it cos' sometimes, they left their faces exposed while wearing the metal frame). Some women actually had their entire head covered. It's really quite a challenge to walk but I guess they have got used to it.
It's not uncommon to see local women shopping, even for clothing! I do wonder what the point was, to buy clothing from stores, when they seem to be wearing their traditional black dresses all the time! I was told that they wear the nicer clothing inside...... Well, perhaps it does matter to them... with the limited freedom they have, I guess even being able to wear it gives a good degree of personal satisfaction. Being a woman, I can empathise. Perhaps the local women do not need to cover themselves in black attire when they are indoors at home? That way, they can wear the nicer clothing? Hmm...... I really wonder......
Though I am not a local woman here, I was on the receiving end of privileged treatment today :) Yea, women here are quite 'protected' and priviliged. Buses have assigned seats for ladies. 2 incidents happened today to reinforce the privilege of being a woman here.
On my journey back to the villa, when the bus I have been waiting arrived, it did not stop as it was full. *Sigh* Peak hour traffic! I thought I would be stranded, cos the road I was waiting hardly have any taxis ride by. Even if so, it would be likely occupied due to the peak hours. When the next bus arrived, many swarmed to the door entrance. Here, the ratio of man to woman outdoors is almost like 15 to 1! As I was in a hurry to get back, I too hurried to the door entrance (remember: I have received pretty 'good grounding' as a Singaporean!). Then, I heard the driver shouted something which I could not make out of. Later, I heard a woman saying loudly "Excuse me!" as she wriggled herself through the sea of men towards the door exit. Aaahh!! The driver is going to take women only! Haha! That meant that there are still seats or standing space available for women! Up the bus I go! ;)
The bus was pretty packed. Though there are standard markings for seats assigned for women, it is not a rare sight to see men seated on them. What more it being a packed bus! I was a bit surprised though, that 2 men got up and gestured for me to sit. They were actually sitting on seats reseved for female passengers. Not knowing how to express my thanks verbally, I merely gave them a smile and nod. I got to sit! and have my shoulder rested from my bag! and have my arms rested from carrying my shopping bags! Yeah! =)
As the bus continued its journey, up some female passengers came. The driver actually told the men (who were seated at a view visible to the driver) in quite a rude manner to get up. I saw the men reluctantly got up and the women took the seats. Rightfully.
I recalled a past incident when a bus driver had threatened to report a male passenger to police, as that passenger had hurriedly board the bus, without letting the female passenger alight first. Not sure if there were any physical contact (be it accidental or intentional) but it was sure a big fuss that the driver kicked!
Well, whether it is the culture or religion warrants for it, I guess it's just a gentleman's way to give up his seat for a lady, regardless of whether the lady is well groomed or not as attractive-looking. I acknowledge that upbringing, education and culture all play a part in how a man will response. For me, perhaps I am just blessed that I am at the right place for now... Back in Singapore, whether you are woman or not, when you are at the MRT train entrance/exit doors, you squeeze in like every other tuna fish do! Where got privilege for women to board first? Body contact or not, everyone squeeze in! Everyone just can't afford to lose out to others who could board the train! Even if you are carrying heavy stuff or even pregnant, there is no guarantee that others will give up their seat for you...
Alright, I am not badmouthing my homeland. Am just not very proud of the kia-su and I-Me-Myself attitude of my own people. Guess at the end of the day, there are good things to learn from other cultures.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Traffic
It's 3 am here. The rooster is having one of its jet-lag fits again... crooning away... as hubby continued to snore in his dreamland. The next day is a non-working day. No worries about sleeping late.
Some days ago, I got to experience first hand for myself the infamous traffic jam situation here. Prior to coming here, I heard about Dubai traffic jam reputation. Thought it would not be worse than Singapore but my recent experience proved me so very wrong! For a distance that could have taken 15 minutes at most, it took 1 hour! It was a normal work day evening when people finished work to return home. I felt nauseous as the taxi I was in, inched forward bit by bit, as I saw light from outside turned to darkness in that endless journey. Being stuck in that jam for 1 hour had led me to decide that hubby and I will get only auto cars in future... Spare our feet the suffering to control the 3 panels below!
Thankfully, the taxi driver was a patient guy. Yes, he had bits of frustration with the traffic but he was definitely a lot more patient than most male drivers whom I know would be cursing and swearing by then! The driver's gentle temperament certainly lessened the frustration in me. I also appreciated that the driver switched from Arabic music to English pop music in the early part of the journey. Thank God that this driver was also willing to heed my suggestions to try other routes. I've seen drivers who ignored passengers' instructions to go by a certain way. One driver even told the passenger to exchange seats with him to drive, since he wanted to go a particular route! That passenger (whom I know) subsequently handled the driver in a tougher way (no fists fights, just to clarify). I thought that was justified.
Road accidents had been occuring more frequently here. I was shocked to read about the statistics: 150 road accident deaths in the past 6 months!!! That's pretty crazy! Hopefully when the train system is set up in a couple of years, such deaths could be avoided. Meantime, the speed limit of 120km/hr (or more) had been reduced to about 100km/hr... on the 7-lane long stretch of Sheik Zayed Road, infamous for traffic jams and road accidents.
Some days ago, I got to experience first hand for myself the infamous traffic jam situation here. Prior to coming here, I heard about Dubai traffic jam reputation. Thought it would not be worse than Singapore but my recent experience proved me so very wrong! For a distance that could have taken 15 minutes at most, it took 1 hour! It was a normal work day evening when people finished work to return home. I felt nauseous as the taxi I was in, inched forward bit by bit, as I saw light from outside turned to darkness in that endless journey. Being stuck in that jam for 1 hour had led me to decide that hubby and I will get only auto cars in future... Spare our feet the suffering to control the 3 panels below!
Thankfully, the taxi driver was a patient guy. Yes, he had bits of frustration with the traffic but he was definitely a lot more patient than most male drivers whom I know would be cursing and swearing by then! The driver's gentle temperament certainly lessened the frustration in me. I also appreciated that the driver switched from Arabic music to English pop music in the early part of the journey. Thank God that this driver was also willing to heed my suggestions to try other routes. I've seen drivers who ignored passengers' instructions to go by a certain way. One driver even told the passenger to exchange seats with him to drive, since he wanted to go a particular route! That passenger (whom I know) subsequently handled the driver in a tougher way (no fists fights, just to clarify). I thought that was justified.
Road accidents had been occuring more frequently here. I was shocked to read about the statistics: 150 road accident deaths in the past 6 months!!! That's pretty crazy! Hopefully when the train system is set up in a couple of years, such deaths could be avoided. Meantime, the speed limit of 120km/hr (or more) had been reduced to about 100km/hr... on the 7-lane long stretch of Sheik Zayed Road, infamous for traffic jams and road accidents.
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