Dubai - Efforts are on to change the uncharitable definition of an 'Arabic date', essentially used when the time given for an appointment is not kept.
The Al Daw Al Akhdar show on Dubai TV has taken on the task of organising a campaign which they hope would prompt people to respect time, and ensure that appointments are kept as per schedule. Dubbing this disrespect for time, particularly among Arabs, as a major and intrinsic social problem, Aya Malhas, one of the four-member group handling the show, said the campaign aimed at reversing the trend, and take the sting out of the definition of 'Arabic date'.
The campaign is being organised in coordination with Epco and Inoc petrol stations in Dubai.
"We need to eliminate this bad image about the Arab's disrespect for time, which they gained despite other nationalities too being guilty of not keeping to schedules," she said, adding: "As responsible people, we should all respect appointment timings, whether given by us or given by others to us since the parties involved have their own commitments and responsibilities."
"People come up with excuses like being caught in a traffic jam. But this is no excuse since such factors have to be taken into account while preparing to meet an appointment. In case one is really caught in a heavy traffic snarl, the other party should be informed about the possible delay," she said.
Al Daw Al Akhdar will go about distributing bumper stickers at 50 petrol stations carrying the message and encouraging people to respect time. The team will move around Dubai and will give prizes to the first 15 cars they come across with the stickers which would be taken as an indication that the motorists had taken the campaign well.
By Eman Al Baik
© Khaleej Times 2005
