Letters to the editor

Dear Stan,
I was interested to see Shilpa’s helpful Shopping List again in last week’s GulfWeekly (11-17 July 2007).

However, a close examination of the list shows that, as was the case the previous week, most of the difference in price is due to one item: Cheese. Cheese will cost a lot more depending on its “pedigree”.  Are you sure you’re comparing like with like?
Take off the cheese and you get a very different picture.
Although Al Osra was still the most expensive supermarket, the price differential across the group for the entire basket of goods was only BD1.525, as opposed to BD3.925 when cheese is included; probably neither here nor there for most of the customers at these supermarkets. 
Want to save money?  Buy local products and produce and shop at the souq!  You’ll be helping local people and reducing the environmental foot print arising from the “food miles” travelled by imported goods.
Regards,
Sarah Clarke, Bahrain.
P.S. In case you are wondering, I’m not an employee of any of the supermarkets.

Editor’s note: Wherever possible Shilpa tries to find the same items in all the supermarkets. This week she has chosen one particular brand of sliced cheese to keep her shopping list consistent.
See also cheese price explosion: Page19

Dear Stan,
I think it is a wonderful idea to compare prices and help consumers decide where to shop. Do any readers know where “Quita” grease removing liquid from Johnson & Johnson is available? It was an excellent product that worked like magic on old grease on exhaust fans and cookers but it seems to have vanished form the stores in the past three years. I have tried talking to managers of various stores to bring it back, but so far I have had no luck.
Thank you.
Manijeh Mistry, Bahrain

Dear Stan,
How wonderfully refreshing to read Vijay Mruthyunjaya’s article about Roger Federer in last week’s GulfWeekly sport section.
I so agree “What a final, what a victory and what a man!”  One could add, what a role model.  He always seems to be elegant – in his appearance, in his interviews and the way he behaves.  When in action on the court he is, as Borg said, an artist and moves with such instinctive grace.  Always a joy to behold!
The commentators go on and on about wonderful Nadal is and seem to completely ignore the superb skills of the World No 1.  “How strong he is”, they say.   “What an athlete he is”, they say. “How hard he works”, they say.  Nadal is undoubtedly a great athlete but as a tennis player he does not compare.  Nobody seems to refer to his weird compulsive-obsessive habits or the fact that he deliberately keeps other players waiting both before and during a match.
So just grand to hear Federer’s praises so beautifully sung.  Thank you.
Meriel Cooper Wallace,
Bahrain.