I am writing with regard to the article “Workers detained for assaulting Haia members” (Oct. 30) which reports that members of the Haia staff broke into a restaurant where a birthday party was being held. This led to an altercation with restaurant workers who were then detained. I would like to point out that the Haia do not have any social skills for dealing with the public. They don't know how to use magic words like “please” and “thank you.” In a country with millions of foreign workers, they should learn how to treat expatriates. Johnny, Online response II. It seems to me that people are making comments and judgements about the Haia without knowing the full details. If it is true that expatriates were celebrating a birthday in a restaurant, then I must say that this is entirely unacceptable. We are here in Saudi Arabia and we should respect the laws and cultures of this land, just as we would require Saudis to do if they were in our country. Williamson, Online response III. These people were in the restaurant and before you celebrate in a restaurant you have to arrange everything with the manager. Managers are given a list of activities which are approved by the government. Having a birthday party in the restaurant or mall is common nowadays. They usually have games and mascots and of course they will be noisy. Mena, Online response IV. Saudi Arabia follows Islamic and Shariah laws. I am sure that if those people were in Europe or America, they would have strictly respected the laws of those countries. So why are they putting themselves in such an embarrassing situation knowing that what they were doing was wrong. Our culture is different than that of the West. Omar, Online response
