Dear Um Saif,
I live in Al Muhairy Centre and several times while I was in the mall I have seen naughty children (and I think it is the same group of kids) balancing on the escalator railings and sliding down, hanging precariously as the escalator travels fast and from high distances. I am sure this is not the fault to the shopping mall, but there must be something that can be done to keep these naughty children under control and safe. Um Saif, I don't want to be a nosy tenant, and I certainly don't want to harass my neighbours, but it is difficult to stay quiet. Should I raise it with the children's parents and the mall management, or am I overstepping bounds? A.S. (Concerned Resident)--as told to Tempo
Dear A.S.,
This is a classic situation we all face from time to time; and there's no doubt that it is always easiest to walk away. My first instinct would be to admonish the children directly, but I don't think that it’s a good idea as badly behaved kids can be rude back. The hardest thing to do may be to try to talk to the parents (if you know who they are) and to remind them that tragic accidents can happen in seconds. If that's not an option you can raise it with mall security or management suggesting that they perhaps send a formal letter to the parents of these children. But even if you don't do anything, I think writing to Tempo shows you do care. So I would like to relay your message to the parents of these naughty kids, and to parents everywhere, saying: good parenting means taking responsibility for your children, and that begins with teaching them good manners and discipline!
If you have a question for Um Saif, write to her: umsaif@abudhabitempo.com