View of part of the Fujairah Corniche and the Hajar Mountains in the Background

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Will Emiratis Jump the Queue in Quest for Hosting Olympics?

One of the things the Chinese have been eradicating in their preparation for the Beijing Olympics has been the tradition of queue jumping.

Chinese authorities initiated a Queuing Day on the 11th of every month where they got everyone into line with slogans and the reward of roses. It will be interesting to see if this tradition continues after the Games or whether they will get back to pushing and shoving.

The Emirates also has a reputation for queue jumping although modern supermarkets are making this ancient practice more difficult to negotiate.

In the UAE quest to bid to host a future Olympic Games will the Emirati leaders instigate a sheikh-up to put an end to queuing jumping in the country? Or will this be one of the many cultural differences to which Olympic athletes and tourists will have to get used to?

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: Minding Ps and Qs.

Related articles:
UAE on Queue, Experiencing the Emirates (ETE).
UAE Must Improve Environmental record to Win Olympic Games, ETE.
Hatta UAE the Ideal Place to Stage the Olympic Marathon, ETE.