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ewmoda

No sitting in Mall of the Emirates

149

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:20

I was shopping at Mall of the Emirates yesterday and wanted to rest by the fountains with horses inside it. I sat on the small wall around the fountain for a second. Security immediately zoomed up to me and said "no sitting as per mall policy". I have severe arthritic knees and am waiting to have complete knee replacements to both. I can't believe they have a pretty fountain with a tiny wall around and you are not allowed to sit down, even for a second.

Sounds like a jobs worth to me, how about you?

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80

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 July 2015 - 09:44

Seems they only want active shoppers and no lurkers!

2264

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 26 July 2015 - 09:33

They removed the benches as they didn't want 'certain' people going and sitting for hours on their day off watching people. That's apparently why they were removed as many people commented on the reason at the time.

379

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 July 2015 - 15:28

Just back from Festival City and there seems to be plenty areas to sit and rest.

394

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 19:35

OP I'm sorry you got told off, I know exactly how you feel, you are very correct, he zoomed in on me too. I hope you find a more comfortable shopping area. I have always thought they were worried about people taking up residence in there permanently if it became too comfortable such as having somewhere to sit down - "Keep it moving there!"

48

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 19:03

The lack of seating at MOE was a conscious decision made by the management many years ago. They use to have very nice seating for patrons. It is absolutely infuriating and so short sighted. I have sent letter upon letter to the 'management' without any reply what so ever and don't even think about asking the helpers at the desk as they must have been asked this question a million times. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see the tourists young, old and infirm looking desperately for a place to rest. This is suppose to be a tourist town, I think they should start acting like it and taking care of their tourists. I refuse to shop at this mall. I think we should all start a new campaign to get the sofas back. There must be a football sized building full of lovely furniture.

yellowledbetter

50

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 16:29

I don't blame the security guards, they're just doing what they're told (and honestly if I worked as much as they do for the wage they get, I would have zero interest in using my common sense or making exceptions and getting into trouble) It's the mall management that are at fault, they are the ones not providing seating areas. And don't even get me started on the fact that they can provide seats for the smokers but not for the elderly, disabled, weary, or clean-living lot!!

685

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 12:27

All of the malls in dubai don't have enough benches or places to sit and relax for a bit. It is especially difficult when you visit the mall on a crowded day and don't find a place to sit in any cafe either. This is more important for shoppers rather than people going to the mall for a meal or drink.

711

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 12:26

FYI, there was a time when there was plenty of comfortable seating around the Mall of the Emirates for resting. It was taken out strategically to force people into the cafes and restaurants. They will not be coming back any time soon. Yes I remember those benches. Long time ago now and I also think they won't be coming back. Now whenever We go to moe with someone with knees trouble we take a foldable stool/chair with us. Not everyone can walk all the way to prayer room to get a bit of rest. However they still have plenty of benches for smoking outside the mall. That's a strange way of discouraging smoking. There way not only benches, there used to be cushy chairs upstairs in which I used to sit and drink a coffee and read the paper.

711

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 12:26

FYI, there was a time when there was plenty of comfortable seating around the Mall of the Emirates for resting. It was taken out strategically to force people into the cafes and restaurants. They will not be coming back any time soon. Yes I remember those benches. Long time ago now and I also think they won't be coming back. Now whenever We go to moe with someone with knees trouble we take a foldable stool/chair with us. Not everyone can walk all the way to prayer room to get a bit of rest. However they still have plenty of benches for smoking outside the mall. That's a strange way of discouraging smoking. There way not only benches, there used to be cushy chairs upstairs in which I used to sit and drink a coffee and read the paper.

ThirdCultureFamily

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 12:06

I was thinking that the other day too. The only free place to sit in Mirdif City Centre is at the food court. It's ridiculous. My daughter has a condition that makes her joints tire easily so we have to frequently sit for a short rest. Since there are no benches, we just sit on the floor in the middle of the mall. Sounds silly, but what else are we supposed to do? I'm open to suggestions.

230

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 11:28

You can sit at a food court located beneath Homecentre, it is a shared seating area by all food outlets so nobody would tell you off for sitting there. There are also benches by entrance on 1st floor (again, Homecentre/HSBC mall entrance) - but since they are in between the doors its hot and humid there. I believe there are also some seats near the cinema - across from popcorn counter.

4000

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:59

I boycotted the place ever since I was agressively confronted by a security guard for giving a diabetic child a drink in Ramadan. The lack of seating did not help either! You could have just ignored him, he surely did not have the authority to do anything beyond confronting. And some guards come from a background where they act more strict that what our religion says, as its cultural on their end...... I tried to" reason" with him, that was my mistake! Obviously these "security" guards need to be properly trained and able to use a modicom of common sense depending on the circumstances when someone has a valid reason to need to sit down and rest or eat. But as long as they do not invest into raising the standard beyond the existing level we cannot expect to get anywhere in dealing with them.

993

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:53

Removal of benches is a conscious decision to increase sales at Food and Beverage outlets. Mall owners want people to go to coffee shops and restaurants to rest and then order while they are there. This tactic has worked at other malls however most malls in the world are not as gigantic as Mall of Emirates or Dubai Mall! Same way how airports now has this ban on liquids...it has nothing to do with terrorism and all to do with increase of sales within the airport food and beverage outlets. They only use that as an excuse to get away with it. What happens during Ramadan ? :)

993

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:52

I boycotted the place ever since I was agressively confronted by a security guard for giving a diabetic child a drink in Ramadan. The lack of seating did not help either! You could have just ignored him, he surely did not have the authority to do anything beyond confronting. And some guards come from a background where they act more strict that what our religion says, as its cultural on their end......

379

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:37

I very rarely go to MOE due to problems getting parking spaces with all the construction going on and also lack of places to sit. If I have to go there and need a rest ( also dodgy knees) I'd just sit either in the food courts or any nearby cafe. Staff rarely approach me so I can take a five minute breather and then continue on my way - even during Ramadan when the cafes were closed or only doing take outs I often saw people sitting in the cafes on lap tops, phones etc or just taking a rest. Not ideal I know but I'd rather brazen it out and have a much needed rest than struggle on.

4000

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:27

I boycotted the place ever since I was agressively confronted by a security guard for giving a diabetic child a drink in Ramadan. The lack of seating did not help either!

458

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 09:22

I would hope they hear of it too but given how aggresive some of the Mall "cops" seem to be regarding every tiny infraction I get the impression that perhaps the management are behind it. Dubai Mall seems easily the most pleasant place to be in terms of not been told off by them and the availability of seating. I don't really understand it as you would think the shop owners would want people in the Mall and perhaps have a word with the "security" team but it seems not. Their is a Mall we simply dont go in anymore after an unpleasant experience with these people.

149

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 07:03

Thank you all for your very kind and supporting comments. Very much appreciated. Now, I wonder if the Mall Management will hear of this and act accordingly?

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 01:50

Removal of benches is a conscious decision to increase sales at Food and Beverage outlets. Mall owners want people to go to coffee shops and restaurants to rest and then order while they are there. This tactic has worked at other malls however most malls in the world are not as gigantic as Mall of Emirates or Dubai Mall! Same way how airports now has this ban on liquids...it has nothing to do with terrorism and all to do with increase of sales within the airport food and beverage outlets. They only use that as an excuse to get away with it.

518

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 01:12

FYI, there was a time when there was plenty of comfortable seating around the Mall of the Emirates for resting. It was taken out strategically to force people into the cafes and restaurants. They will not be coming back any time soon. Yes I remember those benches. Long time ago now and I also think they won't be coming back. Now whenever We go to moe with someone with knees trouble we take a foldable stool/chair with us. Not everyone can walk all the way to prayer room to get a bit of rest. However they still have plenty of benches for smoking outside the mall. That's a strange way of discouraging smoking.

711

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 July 2015 - 00:36

FYI, there was a time when there was plenty of comfortable seating around the Mall of the Emirates for resting. It was taken out strategically to force people into the cafes and restaurants. They will not be coming back any time soon.

1443

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 23:18

When MoE was first built they used to have really comfy seats all over. Dont know why they removed them all. I prefer Ibn Battuta, I hardly go to MoE.

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 23:04

I agree completely. I don't go near deira at all, and I don't frequent Mirdif enough to be sure, but i don't think they have much seating, aside from maybe the central gallery area. Cherpie, we agree with each other today! :party: I like Mirdiff, but MOE is closest to me being in Barsha. By the way, Barsha Mall has a fountain they allow you to sit lol. OP, if you are on that side of MOE and need to sit, go up to the prayer area (just follow the signs) and you can sit there. And inside the restroom/wash and prayer area there is also some seating. But don't take your DH in lol.

674

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:55

I agree completely. I don't go near deira at all, and I don't frequent Mirdif enough to be sure, but i don't think they have much seating, aside from maybe the central gallery area.

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:52

This is actually one of the top reasons I don't frequent that mall anymore, especially on that side. I get what I need and get out. I was told off too, and I was really surprised. I may be wrong or confused with another place, but I thought a few years ago it was fine to sit there. I think I have photos of everybody sitting there, taking photos and checking their phones and regrouping. As far as sitting in a coffee shop, not during Ramadan you can't, and what about elderly, pregnant, and whoever just wants to sit, you can't literally shop till you drop so no seating at all makes little sense. Why police it all day and all night. if they're worried about liability, then take it out. Dubai Mall is much better laid out with seating areas scattered all over. But MOE used to have benches between Debenhams and Harvey Nicks which they removed. MOE is a place you go in, get what you need and leave, it's not a place to spend time really. Dubai Mall is much better organized. They have seating, prayer rooms on every floor, but they kind of have to consering their size. Wonder about other malls like Deira and Mirdiff.

674

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:51

OP I'm sorry you got told off, I know exactly how you feel, you are very correct, he zoomed in on me too. I hope you find a more comfortable shopping area.

674

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:47

This is actually one of the top reasons I don't frequent that mall anymore, especially on that side. I get what I need and get out. I was told off too, and I was really surprised. I may be wrong or confused with another place, but I thought a few years ago it was fine to sit there. I think I have photos of everybody sitting there, taking photos and checking their phones and regrouping. As far as sitting in a coffee shop, not during Ramadan you can't, and what about elderly, pregnant, and whoever just wants to sit, you can't literally shop till you drop so no seating at all makes little sense. Why police it all day and all night. if they're worried about liability, then take it out.

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:35

Yes, I live nearby and walk past that fountain a lot. There is always someone being told off for sitting on the wall there! And come to think of it, there's no benches to wait outside Carrefour or near ski Dubai. They must want you to use the coffee shops for a rest. Dubai mall have some couches around, MOE should do the same. You might be right that they want people using the F&B outlets rather than just hang out on benches. Upstairs by the prayer areas they do have some benches. They also have been doing a log of refurbishing and construction so maybe they will add more as they finish. If they even finish of course. This is Dubai. We don't finish contruction here. Ever :lol:

5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:28

Yes, I live nearby and walk past that fountain a lot. There is always someone being told off for sitting on the wall there! And come to think of it, there's no benches to wait outside Carrefour or near ski Dubai. They must want you to use the coffee shops for a rest. Dubai mall have some couches around, MOE should do the same.

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 July 2015 - 22:25

Though it's very inconvenient and probably painful) for you, an adult (who can take care of her own safety), who also needs to be able to sit down, I do understand their policy. Not everyone is observant or supervises their children and I am sure they want to prevent any accidents from happening. As you might have seen in the media, people tend to blame someone else when their children are harmed or even killed. So I assume in order to avoid accidents, they have this policy in place. Now I know you are not a child, you are an adult, but you can imagine them having to explain to a parent with a child why they can't sit on the fountain but someone else can. I have noticed there isn't any seating available throughout the mall apart from where the taxis are. Must be really difficult if you have a medical condition that requires you to take more frequent rests.

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