Gum instead of coins
The article by Maha N. Mufti (Sept. 7) regarding the exchange of gum packets for a 50 halala coin by many store owners to their customers was very amusing and interesting. Mufti has been great in taking up this ordinary problem which most people face when a return change of 50 halala or less is due to the consumer. Although it looks like a minor thing, but collectively, when the gum manufacturer makes millions of riyals through this ploy, it needs to be controlled and the stores ticketed for such behavior at the checkout counters.
Just like most people, I also do not like to confront or argue at the counter out of social courtesy for other waiting customers in line when the cashier extends a pack of cheap gum packet in place of coins. Pressed for time, haste during call for prayers and personal dignity, people just take the gum and walk out, or as I do, I give the gum to the packers around. However, out of fun, and make light of these situations and whenever I could, I use to carry a pack of gum in my pocket. So when my bill would end up within 50 halala, I would offer the gum pack to the cashier smilingly and to the amusement of onlookers.
Of course, the cashier would look at me, also smiling, but refuse to take my pack of gum, with an apology that it’s not the store policy. But I would end up making a point, and leave with my respect and dignity intact by paying the store in coin cash.
I also appreciate the efforts of Al-Shabeeb, as mentioned in the article, for her educated approach to a simple socioeconomic issue, which seems like a penny’s worth to an individual customer, but translates, unfairly, and I must say dishonestly, into millions of riyals to the stores and the gum manufacturers. — Muhammad Arshad, Alkhobar
China Sea disputes
The move by China and the 10 other members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations to seek a code of conduct toward solving disputes in the South China Sea, which would establish rules and means of dialogue to prevent incidents from escalating into full blown conflict is a positive welcome move.
Progress on such a code must continue by the Southeast Asian Nations to prevent future China Sea disputes and possibly wars from occurring.
We have witnessed an escalation of mutual provocations between countries in the region such as between China and Japan as well as between China and the Philippines regarding sovereignty over disputed islands.
Japan, Korea, he Philippines, and Vietnam have all accused an increasingly assertive China of waging a campaign of intimidation to exert its claims in the South China Sea, through which more than half of the world’s shipping pass.
The establishment of such a code of conduct will help set the rules to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea region in a way that prevents future escalations and possibly wars.
Although these disputed islands are mostly uninhabited, they have long been a source of friction between Asian countries due to them having good fishing areas and they are also potentially rich in gas and minerals. — Dr. Osama Alobaidy, Riyadh
Space programs
This refers to the story about NASA’s Mars rover landing. It is a great achievement for mankind that NASA spacecraft successfully landed on Mars after a nine-month journey. But the total estimated cost of the Mars mission is $ 2.5 billion. After recent large aid cuts from the US government, and the destruction of Challenger and Columbia, NASA is claiming the Mars mission a big success.
A car-size robotic spacecraft Curiosity is able to send pictures from 57.5 million miles from earth: A great opportunity for scientists to uncover facts about the planet.
After the Mars mission’s success, the US president wants to expand the US space program. NASA is planning a manned mission in 2020.
At a time when the world’s big economies and the US itself are passing through their worst financial crises, the high cost of the Mars mission is being highly criticized by some quarters.
The reality is that this type of high-cost mission must benefit humanity. Unfortunately, instead of providing some relief from suffering, the big powers are using the space missions for military purposes.
The battle for space supremacy is going on among the US, Russia and China. Satellite-guided missiles, spy planes and unmanned drones have become harsh realities. — Naser Mullah, Riyadh
Letters: Gum instead of coins
