The Section
Opinion.
Opinion. Loose change, sharp eyes. Columnists, contrarians, and the occasional pleasant surprise from a writer you weren't expecting to like.
In Praise of the Corner Grocery
A love letter to the neighborhood shop that still knows your name in the age of ten-minute delivery
By Mira Faraj
OpinionJun 29
The Rooftop Is the Region's Forgotten Room
Before the air conditioner closed us indoors, the roof was where the family lived in the cool of the evening; a plea to climb back up
By Priya Chen
OpinionJun 29
We Are Losing the Art of the Handwritten Invitation
As the forwarded message replaces the embossed card, the deliberate effort that turned an announcement into an honor is quietly fading
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 29
The Air Conditioner Is the Region's Invisible Civilization
We have built a whole civilization inside cooled air and trained ourselves not to hear the machine that sustains it
By Lena Holloway
OpinionJun 28
The Mall Is the Region's True Public Square
Air-conditioned and privately owned, the shopping mall has quietly inherited the civic life the plaza once carried
By Lena Holloway
OpinionJun 28
The Weekly Magazine in an Age of the Endless Feed
A case for the edited, finite weekly as an antidote to the infinite scroll
By Priya Chen
OpinionJun 28
In Praise of the Long Lunch
Why the unhurried midday meal remains the region's most reliable engine of trust
By Mira Faraj
OpinionJun 28
We Are Over-Building Towers and Under-Building Shade
In a warming region, the scarce civic luxury is not height but shadow
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 24
The Real Cost of a Cheap Subscription
A low monthly price is still expensive if it quietly survives every cleanup of your bank statement.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 24
The Case for a Mid-Year Documents Audit
Passports, visas, insurance, leases and school papers deserve a check before they become urgent.
By Mira Faraj
OpinionJun 23
The Best Deal Is the One You Actually Use
A bargain on something that sits unused is not a saving. Value is measured by use, not by the size of the discount.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 22
The Quiet Cost of Too Many Subscriptions
Each one feels small. Together, forgotten subscriptions can quietly become one of the largest lines in a monthly budget.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 21
You Don't Need the Newest Phone
The annual upgrade is a habit, not a necessity. For most people, last year's phone is more than enough.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 20
Buy It for Life, Not for the Week
Cheap things that break repeatedly often cost more than one good item bought once. Quality is a kind of budgeting.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 19
Slow Down the Big Summer Purchase
Sales reward speed, but the best decision on a large buy almost always survives a night of waiting.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 18
Small Businesses Need a Shipping Buffer
Regional uncertainty makes delivery promises harder. A visible buffer can protect customers, cash flow and reputation.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 17
The Receipt Habit That Saves Warranty Claims
A simple folder for invoices, serial numbers and photos can turn a future repair from an argument into a process.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 14
Good Consumer Advice Is Boring on Purpose
The best money habits are rarely dramatic. They are repeatable, visible and easy enough to use on a tired weekday.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 13
The Small Admin That Makes Life Easier
Life in a busy city is full of tiny renewals, cards, documents and reminders. The people who seem organized usually just catch them earlier.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 12
Do Not Mistake Relief for Resolution
The Gulf is allowed to breathe today. It should also remember that a calmer headline is not the same as a safer region.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 11
Keep the Kettle On: A Note on Nerve
There is a particular Gulf composure that shows up in bad weeks. It is worth defending.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 9
Should You Rent Near School or Office in the UAE?
For many families, school commute is harder to change than office commute because children travel at fixed times and school places are limited. But the best choice depends on work hours, transport, fees, and support at home.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 9
Should Your Family Choose Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah?
Compare work location, school availability, rent, commute, healthcare network, lifestyle, and visa process. The best emirate is the one where the daily routine works, not the one with the strongest brochure.
By Diego Arroyo
OpinionJun 9
Should You Take a Furnished or Unfurnished UAE Apartment?
Furnished apartments reduce setup time and shipping stress, while unfurnished apartments can be cheaper and more personal over a longer stay. The decision depends on lease length, family size, and cash flow.
By Diego Arroyo