Poppea wrote:
S&A-Forever! wrote:
that's nothing short of disgraceful and a lousy way to treat people who are clearly visitors to their country.
Interesting view. Does that mean when I invite you to dinner you think you can spit on the table and I have to tolerate that because you are the guest?
Funny, in the civilised world a guest behaves courteous, respects their host and does not act against the rules of their host, which means: You don't canoodle in Dubai or bring sex toys to a Muslim country.
It's hardly the same thing... are you seriously considering spitting on the table to be the same as bringing something into another country - something might I add that wouldn't have offended anyone if the overzealous security people didn't see fit to get them out in full view of everyone in the airport and then destroy them! Talk about adding insult to injury. If they're so offended by such things, why not simply confiscate them for the duration, to be returned when going back home? No one will be able to convince me that destroying the items out of hand was a fair thing to do.
They're being treated as criminals - how were they to know they weren't allowed to bring such things into the country? I think a fair and rational reaction would be to confiscate the items in question, while issuing a warning that if such things were bought into the country again, then they'd be destroyed. What - don't they believe that everyone can make a mistake and deserves a second chance especially when they're harming no one whatsoever?
It's my guess that the airport's actions upset or insulted a great deal more people present at the airport than would have been the case in a private hotel room. After all, everyone around at the time would have seen the offending items - who would see them in a hotel room?
If they were seen to be used in public, fair enough but otherwise I think the reaction was over the top and way too severe. £300 down the drain for God's sake! We're not talking £10 or £20 quid here.
And as I said earlier, what the hell is Qatar going to do when they host the World Cup? Force all Western girls to cover up to the nines - in 40+ degree heat? Arrest every single drunken football fan? Jail every single couple who dares to kiss in public? It's a disaster waiting to happen. I agree wholeheartedly with the people who say that such countries have out of date, almost Medieval thinking.
While 'Medieval craphole' is an offensive term, it's not offensive, neither is it false to state that they have backward thinking - otherwise people would be allowed to bring non harmful items into the country without fear of being destroyed, girls would be able to choose whether to cover their hair/other body parts etc, etc.
Just another note particualr to Dubai Customs - I once was stopped for carrying a laser pen in my suitcase. I was adivsed they are not allowed in Dubai and was offered the option of keeping it at the airport (for a small fee) and collect when I leave.
There you go. That's a rational and sensible way to go about things.