Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Dear Betsy, I read your article on the sex pest on an airplane with interest.
A similar thing happened to me on a long haul flight and I didn't complain to the stewardess and the woman sitting next to me got really drunk and kept prodding me, I asked her to leave me alone as I really wasn't interested and wanted to watch the movie.
She became furious and started shouting at me to leave her alone. I was totally shocked and became the centre of unwanted attention as the other passengers stared and the stewardess came to question me about the situation.
By now the woman was sobbing and claiming I was the 'predator' . I had a moment of blind panic as I realised that the whole thing was very quickly turning ugly.
Luckily two female passengers across the aisle had seen and heard this woman's performance and they assured the stewardess that I was not at fault.
The crazy woman was moved to the back of the aircraft and I found myself spending the rest of the flight considering just how much trouble I could have found myself in if the crazy woman had been believed.
Your advice about speaking up to the crew was absolutely sound and I would tell your readers to do it immediately as the consequences are just too scary to think about.
I am a 6ft tall, ex-rugby player, was conservatively dressed in a business suit, wasn't drinking alcohol on the flight, but could have ended up accused of a crime.
The most ironic part of it all is that I am not married, or interested in women, if you get my point, but even that didn't prevent me being targeted by a drunken, licentious air raged female.
I am nervous now every time I board a flight and pray that I will be seated next to a 'sober' traveller. Thanks Betsy for printing that letter, it should be a warning to all of us.
A Sober Passenger.
Dear Sober passenger,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It must have been upsetting and it has obviously had a lasting effect on you.
We should remember that alcohol can have a triple-fold effect due to the conditions on an aircraft and, in an inebriated state, many people lose their inhibitions and their behaviour can become quite outrageous.
I am sure we have all read about certain so called 'celebrities' whose in-flight antics have gotten them in hot water with the airline and negative press coverage.
From a health point of view it is always best to minimise alcohol and caffeine consumption and drink at least a litre of water every hour or so.
Eating low salt, non processed foods is also preferable and many airlines now offer healthy eating options on board.
I have a friend who takes her healthy packed lunch when she travels, with fruit salad, crudities and hummous being her favourite snacks. Hope you get to sit beside her next time!
Did you have a travel experience you would like to share with us? Email: betsymathieson@hotmail. Com
BETSY SAYS RELAX
According to the Eagles, 'anger is just love disappointed'. A wonderfully thought provoking statement, but in my opinion very true.
We all need to love ourselves more. Too many of us go through life riddled with self loathing, bitterness and pessimism. When you truly learn to love yourself and be genuinely thankful for all you have, then pessimism becomes optimism, bitterness becomes thankfulness and self loathing becomes self confidence.
Too many of us don't bother to even look for that silver lining, we just focus on those dark clouds and give up. Make this the week you radiate love and happiness, it IS just a state of mind, but if you are finding it difficult then get down to the music store and buy a copy of the Eagles album, Long Road Out of Eden ... inspirational, motivational and nostalgic wisdom.
Further inspiration can be found at Sherlock Holmes venue on November 8 when a tribute 'Eagles' band will be spreading the good word.
It seems last week's letter about the parking facilities at the city centre mall touched a chord with many of our readers.
Here is a selection of the emails I received. I wonder if the members of mall management have any idea how strongly the public feels about these issues and if they have any plans to address the concerns. It is a wonderful mall and any new project will have teething problems. The air-conditiong issue can be solved fairly easily I am sure, but the parking issue remains a challenge.
Dear Betsy,
Thank God! I thought I was the only one having trouble to get out of the City Centre Mall car park.
Ba-cchh-raini design at it's best. Exit-signs lead into dead ends or merry-go-round circles. Whatta!!??
I can't wait for the mayhem when that mall is fully operational with cinemas, water park and what not.
Next time (if there IS a next time) I'll embrace the local culture and park on the foot path, right in front of the entrance.
Gulfboy
Dear Betsy,
The City Centre Mall will be an even bigger nightmare when the cinemas and water park open.
Can you imagine trying to park in there then? In the first week or so it was open I noticed there were lots of attendants directing the traffic flow so although it took ages to get in and out, there was no confusion over the direction.
A few days ago when we went there, it was complete chaos as there were no attendants and Bahrain's usual 'weekend visitors' were out in full force, trying to drive the wrong way round the one way system, parking over two spaces, and trying to overtake the queue by winding in and out of the empty spaces and speedbumps.
Stressful doesn't even begin to describe it. I know parking is free there but I would much rather pay a premium for a decent, easily accessible parking space. Like your other readers, the Seef Mall gets my vote.
Klunck Klick.
Dear Betsy,
The City Centre parking is laughable, but the lack of air-conditioning is worse. We took our kids to the food court the other day and it was so hot we could hardly breathe.
It seems that no one remembered all those lights and stoves and people in a confined space when they designed the air con system at the food court.
The elderly lady at the table next to us had to be revived and our ice cream melted before we could get it back to our table. The poor staff working in the restaurants were weary and exhausted and I have no doubt, dehydrated.
Have you tried to go shopping for clothes? The mall is so hot that when trying clothes on they just stick to your body. I have twice tried to buy clothes and had to abandon ship as it were as I just could not tolerate the uncomfortable sauna-like conditions.
The salesgirls in the shops told us that everyone is complaining and lots of customers leave without buying as it is too hot and tiring for them.
Debenhams made a big mistake by moving there. I used to be a regular customer, but now I just can't bear to run the gamut of the parking, heat and stress that is the City Centre Mall. Al A'ali Mall is paradise in comparison.
Shopaholic Sheila.
