In movies and TV shows, there’s a scene commonly filmed in cars to show a moment of relief. A character gets into the driver’s seat, shuts the door, and before clasping the seatbelt and turning on the ignition, leans back against the headrest and exhales. The scene doesn’t require dialogue. It’s universally understood as a breather, to collect oneself and shut out the world and all its never-ending noise.
Depending on who you ask, it rings true to life. After a day in the outside world with your game face on, who doesn’t enjoy a moment of silent car acoustics? All that panelling, padding and metal shutting out the world.
But what do you do when there is no car and there is no peace and you’re just in the middle of everyday city mayhem? The surround sound of urban environments, let’s face it, is not all bird song and rustling grasses.
There is also that unpleasant link between anxiety and noise pollution. I don’t want to make this a science digest, but basically, some people are more susceptible and sensitive to auditory triggers – loud chewing, leaky taps, obnoxious hairdryers and so on. It didn't thrill me to learn that women are reportedly more prone to misophonia, or a decreased tolerance to certain sounds.
Surely, it’s better for all people, with or without blood pressure issues, to not subject themselves to the neighbours upstairs moving furniture around or other such vile ambushes. At one time, I couldn’t bear the sound of Thermocol, the wilder cousin of Styrofoam. Those were the years when electronic gadgets came in those boxes.
Honestly, lucky are those people not too bothered by the shuffling, whirring, thudding and feet dragging that are the atmospheric givens of daily life. You might even think there are two kinds of people – those indifferent to sound, volume, screechy voices, high-pitched laughs; and then the other, perpetually troubled kind, for whom long spells of bad acoustics can ruin good days.
I came across an interesting nugget about aircraft take-off and landing sounds, their effects on people who live under the flight path, and the question of how loud is too loud. The researcher said: "Anything that makes you alter your behaviour". So, if you’re getting up to close the windows or to sit elsewhere, that’s too loud.
This is not to say that people sensitive to sound are wet blankets and want only quiet or are only ever ringing the building concierge to complain about the party in the apartment diagonally above. No, in the metaphoric catalogue of noise, silence is often, but not always at the absolute premium.
It can often be wonderful to sit around a table over a meal, listening to voices of differing pitches and ranges tell stories, interspersed with a low din of activity – the clinks and rings of cutlery and glasses and the softened movement of furniture (bless the inventor of those stick-on floor protectors made of felt for chair legs).
It is merely a question of volume and frequency and basic civic sense. I cannot understand people who take phone calls in the lift. Just call the person back. Or tell them to hold. Or at least make the pretence of cupping your hand to the phone. There are too many instances any given day where courtesy clashes with cacophony.
A couple of weeks ago, I delighted in an anecdote of a friend's friend, a serious musician, not being able to continue a conversation in a cafe. It sounded familiar. All the ceramic cups and saucers banging about on surfaces were too sharp for his ears. Those open industrial ceilings where you can see the A/C ducts probably don't help muffle frequencies. It’s the inverse of how wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms do help.
Thankfully, there's something being done about this. In July, Abu Dhabi announced it has set up a committee to discover the sources of noise pollution and compile a list of the neighbourhoods worst affected. The hope is that noise mapping will then help the authorities create sound barriers and more green spaces. It's a known fact that sustained noise pollution can add to stress, disturb sleep and even cause cardiovascular problems.
But it can be impolite to go around telling people to pipe down and talk softly. And often the culprits are not even people. It’s the machines and the construction and the wind-corridors and the general hustle-bustle of life.
And while there isn't much you can do to stop the chaos, here’s what I do, and I can’t stop telling people this, as if it equals the discovery of penicillin: You wear earplugs.
“Noise mitigation strategies," as medical professionals say. You buy a pair of noise reduction ear plugs, or a couple of pairs, and scatter them around the places where you can reach them when you most need them – office drawer, bedside table, handbag. The research regarding which one, what kind, which colour, is an adventure too, provided you find Amazon reviews as riveting as some of us.
Just remember, it's noise reduction, not noise cancellation. The distinction is important as the latter can be too insulating and unsafe if you’re out and about near traffic – even though the World Health Organisation says one in five people, or 100 million people globally, are exposed to unhealthy levels of road traffic noise.
And I’m talking about the simple earplugs, not the more expensive noise cancellation, Bluetooth-enabled head/ear phones, which are great. But just the discreet, light, washable, silicone plugs (foam ones are less effective) will do. They don’t announce themselves, and they help you stay engaged enough with your environment. They can also put you in an okay mood because they reduce decibels a crucial little bit and that makes all the difference. It works well because you can focus on work and not be annoyed. And it’s easier to smile at people when there is no rage.
Given the ambient obstacles of our times, the armour to protect ears does wonders to shush everything down a notch, soothe anxiety and, with any luck, keep heart attacks at bay. Deep breathing is, of course, the free gold standard, ask any monk. But this cacophony mitigation strategy – much cheaper than sound proofing an apartment – replicates the relief of a silent car cocoon just about anywhere. More people should try it.
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
%3Cp%3E%0DDeveloper%3A%20Ubisoft%20Bordeaux%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Ubisoft%0D%3Cbr%3EConsoles%3A%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20Series%20S%26amp%3BX%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Superliminal%20
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Pillow%20Castle%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Pillow%20Castle%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20One%20%26amp%3B%20X%2FS%2C%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PC%20and%20Mac%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EFor%20Euro%202024%20qualifers%20away%20to%20Malta%20on%20June%2016%20and%20at%20home%20to%20North%20Macedonia%20on%20June%2019%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Johnstone%2C%20Pickford%2C%20Ramsdale.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander-Arnold%2C%20Dunk%2C%20Guehi%2C%20Maguire%2C%20%20Mings%2C%20Shaw%2C%20Stones%2C%20Trippier%2C%20Walker.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bellingham%2C%20Eze%2C%20Gallagher%2C%20Henderson%2C%20%20Maddison%2C%20Phillips%2C%20Rice.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%2C%20Grealish%2C%20Kane%2C%20Rashford%2C%20Saka%2C%20Wilson.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
