Most people enjoy living in a country with order. Being able to predict what comes next provides comfort and security all members of a society need and benefit from. People like knowing they can safely drive through a green light at an intersection without worrying about being broadsided by a car running through a red. A well-planned and organised society allows its members to not only live in security, but also to thrive in an efficient environment.
While living in the US, I was able to enjoy a highly organised system where very few surprises occur. My transition from the States to the Emirates was made easier because I had moved from one progressive society to another. But what I liked more about the Emirati system is its greater capacity to be flexible, trusting and humane.
Dealing with law enforcement was a prime example of this.
I had recently arrived in the US when I was pulled over by the police. When asked for my driver's licence, I tried to explain my circumstance as a newly arrived foreign student and presented the officer with an Emirati driver's licence. All the officer could see and hear was I did not have an American licence and proceeded to ticket me instantly. No matter how hard I tried to elaborate on my situation, he stood stone-faced and said: "You can't drive with that licence."
I found myself in a similar situation soon after returning to the UAE.
Now with a US licence and without an Emirati one, I again explained my circumstance of having just arrived. This time, the officer replied as if he was more man than machine - he let me off with a warning and even welcomed me back to the country.
This suppleness of structure is also evident in the UAE's private sector.
The US had got me accustomed to "money first, product and service last" transactions. So I was surprised when, after realising I had forgotten my wallet, a shopkeeper told me I could take the item and come back to pay later. I had never met this employee in my life and he was willing to trust I would return.
Another example was a car cleaner in a mall car park. Trying to save time, I opted to take advantage of his services. When I returned to my gleaming car, all that was left of him was his phone number on a piece of paper. He had trusted I would call him, and risked losing Dh25, most likely not a measly sum to him.
Once, a mechanic let me drive off with my vehicle so I could withdraw the Dh2,500 I owed him for repairing my car.
As the UAE continues to develop, it should make sure it doesn't sacrifice the more humane and personal elements of society, such as these acts of faith, which create trust and cohesiveness among its people.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.