15 June 2008

Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Fujairah: Finding your friend's home in the UAE, or any other address for that matter, is usually not an easy task, since most people don't even know the name of the street where they live.

In a recent Gulf News poll, 77 per cent of respondents said they would prefer streets in Dubai to be identified by names and numbers, while 23 per cent said they did not.

Currently many people use landmarks, the names of nearby buildings, shops or shopping malls to give directions, and not street names.

City Talk took to the streets and asked residents from across the emirates whether they know their home or office address by street names and numbers, or whether they still use landmarks as directions.

Abdul Hafeedh Perry, marketing manager from the UK, 36, said: "I use landmarks because nobody knows the names of streets. When I first arrived in the country, I used street names and not even the taxi drivers knew the way. Using landmarks is an easy option because it is very infuriating when you give the street name and number, and nobody has a clue what you are talking about."

Sunaanda Jain, Indian businesswoman, 24, said: "I use the name of my building when giving directions, because the building is a landmark in itself and everybody knows where it is. It would be a very good idea if everyone used street names and numbers in general because people would be able to locate places easier and faster."

Businessman Navin Balani, from India, 31, said: "I always use landmarks because it will take a long time for residents to change their habit and stop using landmarks as a point of reference. The worst part is that taxi drivers do not know street names. I think they should all get satellite navigation in their cars so they would be more familiar with street names."

Mohammad Sabri Esmail, Pharmacist from Egypt, 30, said: "I am quite lucky because I work and live in a central area where there are plenty of easy reference points, but still, at times it is difficult. I often have to point out a number of well known institution or landmarks such as the bank branch nearby or the petrol station across the road. If there were an address system it would make life easier for everybody, but especially for businesses because it would make deliveries and pick-ups easier."

Customer service representative Jocelou Tubosa, from the Philippines, 27, said: "I know my home and office addresses. But still, it is easier for me to use landmarks to locate a place, that's why I believe mostly people use it."

Bemina Gracian, sales executive, from India, said: "I think landmarks are the easiest way to find a building. People who are used to working with a proper address system in their home countries may find it good if a similar system is introduced here. But for the majority of others it would be chaotic."

Abdullah Ebrahim Al Za'abi, Emirati office employee, 20, said: "Given the size of Fujairah, it is not that hard to give directions and most people find it right away. You sometimes do have to give a number of reference points nearby to help people find you. For newcomers to Fujairah the process is that much harder. If we had a proper address system, with street names, addresses and maps, even those visiting for the first time would find their way."

Jamal Mohammad Hassan, Shop assistant from Egypt, 28, said: "Our shop is just behind a well-known supermarket and we always direct people to the supermarket. There is no doubt, however, that if an address system were introduced life would be easier, especially when we request courier deliveries or when we are too busy to keep giving directions on the phone every five minutes."

Tayyiba Khan, a Pakistani legal consultant, 32, said: "I use landmarks to give my location. Though I know the unofficial street names I do not know the official ones."

By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Rayeesa Absal and Fuad Ali

Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.