Residents are divided in their opinion of courtesy policy notices posted by Mall of the Emirates recently which calls for respectful clothing and ‘no kissing’.
While some visitors to Mall of the Emirates yesterday said the policy was common sense, others said it went against Dubai presenting itself as cosmopolitan and open-minded.
Elaine said the policy should go without saying.
“It’s quite reasonable,” Elaine said. “I think it’s a good idea. People should fit with the general behaviour.”
She said the motivation for posting the notices recently could be for a number of reasons.
“Some people are inconsiderate and some just don’t know,” Elaine said.
Jaffer Ali agreed. “It should be there so people will know, but it should really be known,” he said.
Officials from Mall of the Emirates and its owner, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, did not comment yesterday but sources said the policy had always existed.
Daily calls and complaints from shoppers and visitors about people in offence of Dubai’s culture, prompted the mall to raise awareness through the posters.
The posters ask visitors to “wear respectful clothing”, “no kissing or overt displays of affection” and also not to smoke, drink alcohol or skateboard or roller blade.
However, Elie said it was a contradiction of Dubai’s ideals of being open-minded.
“They want to be cosmopolitan but it’s not Europe,” he said. “Either they want to be a Muslim country or open-minded.”
Filomena Laudonio said Dubai was becoming increasingly strict on issues relating to its culture.
“Everyone should be free to wear what they want but now (in Dubai) people wearing offensive T-shirts were put in jail,” she said. “Dubai is changing.”
But more visitors approached by Khaleej Times agreed with the poster.
Shaun Heredie said visitors had to be culturally sensitive. “That’s cool, it’s their country. It’s mainly public displays of affection.”
Ellen Manalastas said the notice should be posted in other malls, too.
“I think it’s fine,” she said. “At least there are instructions to follow.” Source
While some visitors to Mall of the Emirates yesterday said the policy was common sense, others said it went against Dubai presenting itself as cosmopolitan and open-minded.
Elaine said the policy should go without saying.
“It’s quite reasonable,” Elaine said. “I think it’s a good idea. People should fit with the general behaviour.”
She said the motivation for posting the notices recently could be for a number of reasons.
“Some people are inconsiderate and some just don’t know,” Elaine said.
Jaffer Ali agreed. “It should be there so people will know, but it should really be known,” he said.
Officials from Mall of the Emirates and its owner, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, did not comment yesterday but sources said the policy had always existed.
Daily calls and complaints from shoppers and visitors about people in offence of Dubai’s culture, prompted the mall to raise awareness through the posters.
The posters ask visitors to “wear respectful clothing”, “no kissing or overt displays of affection” and also not to smoke, drink alcohol or skateboard or roller blade.
However, Elie said it was a contradiction of Dubai’s ideals of being open-minded.
“They want to be cosmopolitan but it’s not Europe,” he said. “Either they want to be a Muslim country or open-minded.”
Filomena Laudonio said Dubai was becoming increasingly strict on issues relating to its culture.
“Everyone should be free to wear what they want but now (in Dubai) people wearing offensive T-shirts were put in jail,” she said. “Dubai is changing.”
But more visitors approached by Khaleej Times agreed with the poster.
Shaun Heredie said visitors had to be culturally sensitive. “That’s cool, it’s their country. It’s mainly public displays of affection.”
Ellen Manalastas said the notice should be posted in other malls, too.
“I think it’s fine,” she said. “At least there are instructions to follow.” Source
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