If you've been finding one dirham coins in short supply these days, you should blame the kids. As Abu Dhabi doctors told The National recently, they have been seeing plenty of cases of kids admitted to hospitals by harried parents for swallowing the coins during playtime.
Their message to the public was simple and stern: parents, pay more attention to what your kids are doing. Sure, that's fair, but I also believe we should take it easy on parents. Because no matter how vigilant they are, they simply can't beat the recklessness and curiosity of children.
It is these qualities, I suppose, that make parenthood such a joy and drain. I say “suppose”, because – full disclaimer – I am not actually a parent, but when recalling some of the antics I got up to as a child, I begin steeling myself for the worst for when/if I do become a dad.
Where the kids of today are swallowing dirhams, I was drinking petrol (bear with me!). I was about five years old and living in Abu Dhabi at the time. My parents decided to visit some old friends who lived in the Tourist Club Area and I remember being expressly told to sit in the living room while the adults chat with each other.
I got bored out of my mind, of course, and I decided to go for a little wander around the apartment. My curiosity took me to the storage room where I saw a water bottle filled with a bright red fluid. Immediately, I thought this was some special berry juice that was being hidden from guests, so I discreetly opened it and took a big swig.
My stomach was on fire. My mum recalls my anguished scream to this day, as well as the subsequent rush to the hospital where I had to get my stomach pumped.
She obviously vowed to keep a better eye on me after that, but, despite her best efforts, I still managed to get myself into more trouble as I grew up, like the time I nearly burnt down our kitchen at the age of 10. My parents were having their regular Friday afternoon siesta and I decided to act the chef and fix myself some fish fingers. Let's just say I was a little too liberal with the cooking oil. Now, it is me who shudders when recalling waking up my dad – a huge sin in itself, let me tell you – to announce there was a "wee" fire in the kitchen.
My list of misdeeds continued throughout my teenage years. They ranged from the comical – such as the time I bit into a microwaved boiled egg that exploded over my face and singed my growing moustache – to the more serious – like when I disobeyed my mum’s driving advice and crashed her precious Honda Integra into the side of another car. That was a long night.
I’m sure there are many other stories of mishaps I’ve forgotten (or somehow suppressed).
And yet, I’m still here. Recalling these tales has made me appreciate the love and strength it requires to be a parent.
The fact they choose to become one, knowing full well their child will surely bring them a seemingly endless run of worrisome nights, is nothing short of heroic.
I salute you all.
That said, it is always a good idea to do what the doctor says – and hide those dirhams.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
More from Armen Sarkissian
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
