I've already answered that question gardene, and the answer is yes, even with income tax and no "expat package" (which I don't have anyway) I would still like it here. As for their chances of holding the world cup, I don't think they have one, but hey, why not shoot for the stars. Doesn't bother me.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Now I get it. Some people who came from the "knowledgeably favorable situation" somewhat finds Qatar a bit boring or dull, and it only takes those people to open up their knowledge and expertise they've learned to give Qatar new exposures of the world outside the country.
On the other hand, people who were usually hired as 'cheap labor' most probably came from the "lesser favorable situation" areas of respective countries to make them stay here for long because this may be the only country they thought as 'more developed' without the need or care to know the underlying 'issues' the people of the "knowledgeably favorable situation" sees.
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
I suppose the mods may have to close this thread down if it gets any more like a full on argument, which was not my intention.
I merely wanted to hear peoples thoughts, I have been enlightened by some and the views, even those who have differing views to mine.
There is no need to turn this into an argument between posters, or attempting a divide between geographical boundaries.
As i previously have noted, everyone has an opinion, and it is only their own.
Enforcing your opinion on others can lead to no good on a public forum such as this. We are neither leaders of countries nor soldiers of war.
So please, place your opinion, check back and see others. Isnt that how we all can learn?
I thought this thread was going pretty well. Some balanced notes both for and against. And I for one have enjoyed reading those posts from people who both like it and dislike it here.
@ Olive, would that "expat life" be as enjoyable if you had to pay income tax & didn't get so 'generous' an "expat package" is my question?...& exciting is fine but a country that has NEVER ONCE qualified for the World Cup let alone come anywhere close to winning it has not earned the right to host the Cup based purely on their monetary ability,fair enough?...
@ truthnpeace,this is an OPEN FORUM mate,in case you hadn't noticed,might have something to do with the fact that one NEVER gets to read anything negative about this town anywhere else right?...NO place is perfect mate,& that includes this place...the guy isn't "preaching",he's just saying he's had enough & he's leaving,that's his opinion,he's entitled to express that opinion plain & simple...
If you don't like Qatar, leave this place immidiately. DON'T PREACH.....if you are interested in changing the world, GO to your own place start revolution there.
Hippocracy of WEST, of false civilization,development,blah blah..is culminating after successful run for few centuries, in the cycle of civilization now it's term for orientals again. See the writings on the wall & learn to live with it.
I call these naggers "opportunitists", who come here, enjoy the fruits and abuse it too, pity!!!
@ king007,it's Indians like you with no national pride that gives the rest of us a bad name,of course you wouldn't want to go back because back home you'd be a mediocre guy,stuck in a mediocre job with no career growth & no life,why? because there are SO MANY others who're better @ doing what you do,here in this blind town,the man with one eye(that's you in case you didn't get it) is king right? of course you wouldn't want to leave the tax free salary you get here for doing nothing much & go back home where you would need to actually work hard to earn your living now would you?...fortunately not ALL Indians think like you & that number is growing everyday...to quote you an example,upto 10 senior Indian engineers(one of whom is known to me personally) quit their high-paying jobs here & went back home to the same pay after tax but the irreplecable joy of being home...of course,they, unlike you,are actually good @ what they do,so king007 my friend,please,don't bother going back home,they don't need you there 'cos you just take up space & @ a billion plus we're a bit short on that,so just like you asked largerthanlifebouy to leave,i request you,please stay here & don't go back home...& please stop calling it home,you don't deserve it...
I'm always too busy to leave in the summer. Hopefully I'll be able to this August, but for the last 3 years I've been here the whole summer. It's tough on my delicate Canadian constitution ;)
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
I should probably point out that my reasons for staying in Qatar disappear sometime around June and don't come back till October. LOL. Than I hate Qatar has much as anyone else. :)
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
The inability of dealing with criticism, the lack of a humor, the inability of making fun of our own societies, are traits of narrow minded mentalities, definitely not present in any world class capital!
What is enjoyable to some may not be enjoyable to others. One should be allowed to define his own enjoyment. There is no concrete definition for it, right?
No one is here expressing an opinion just because he/she wants to provoke or insult others.
The reaction of "if you don't like it, just leave" reveals an enormous ignorance. Also reveals a great inferior complex and certainly a high degree of insecurity. Those who dare to say those things show their narrow limits, as they don’t even know that it’s ok to express individual points of views and it’s with critical reviews that improvement ideas are generated.
The mentality of "leave if u don’t like" handicaps this place to become what they so eagerly desire, a true cosmopolitan world class city. All they have is the shell that looks like that from the distance. Once you approach it and walk through it, it won't take long to realize its emptiness...
It’s a fact, and it won’t get any better until it’s acknowledged!
Garadene, of course my hometown isn't going for any of those things, that's one of the things I find so exciting about this place. As for the income tax & ridiculous pay, ya I probably would stay. As I've said, I haven't gotten enough of the expat life yet.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
If Doha was able to attract more people like you, who have an opinion of its own, who can bring new perspectives and are not afraid of expressing themselves, Doha would certainly be a much more interesting place!
The reason Doha is unable to attract and fix people with those characteristics is precisely what you mentioned. The parts that Doha copies from the western model are the ones that were proven wrong. The parts (social security, minimum wage, workers rights, etc…) that are seen as humanitarian and therefore respected and praised by the rest of the world are sadly overlooked here!
A country so much money, could have certainly conquest the respect of the world if it had known better, to be built on humanitarian values instead of greed and abuse of the less favored people (maids and labor and others).
So when are u leaving or u have already left this "painful" place, as u call it?
Like the saying goes, if you dont like the heat, get out of the kitchen, so if you dont like doha, u are free to get out of here, dont spoil ur "larger than life" life by dragging urself here, life is short, Qatar can replace u with someone better but u cannot get the days back which u spent here.
Some people nag all the time. Given a choice, I would not go back to home country even if I get the same salary as i get here...
@ largerthanlifebuoy,well put mate...enforcing human rights & minimum wage doesn't bring in the moolah like the burger bars now does it?...it would bring them respect on a global stage in the long run but who's thinking along those lines?...it's all about the money isn't it?...spot on about the two extremes,pretty much sums it up,expect a fair amount of "i belong to neither category,i'm here because i like it here" reactions,but hey to each his/her own...to reiterate,it's not just you mate,there are LOADS of our ilk here,bidding our time,yours has come,good for you mate...
For me Qatar has been painful, but not because its considered "boring". Im far from bored here, sometimes i wish i had the time to be bored. I have my hubby and kids around me(something we take for granted as many expats here dont have that privledge), a job that i enjoy and made some great friends here.
What makes Qatar painful for me is:
1) Im very far from my parents, family and lifelong friends. I miss popping over to their homes for coffee or just hangin out with them. Long distance phonecalls are a pain, they just remind you of how far away you are from them. I dont like the fact that my kids only see their grandparents once a year. I know that if my parents and siblings were here, it wouldnt be different.
2) I miss going for walks and seeing greenery. Having to drive to Aspire park or the corniche doesnt count. I miss just being able leave the house to walk out on the streets without having to fear someone is going to run us over or walking on the streets because people think the curbside is for parking.
3) I hate the way roads are structered here. A lot of unneccesary driving because most roads are one way and if you make one mistake you end up in another area, and you have to spend time in congested traffic just to get back where you are( I miss u-turns).
i could go on and on, but im sure i would also have a list of what i disliked in Aus as well. Theres good and bad in every country.
Qatar has been very challenging for me because i was used to a different kind of living but that isnt to say that Qatar doesnt have a lot of advantages.
The country is very laid back and relaxing (apart from driving on the roads), very safe to live and raise kids, friendly and hospitable locals and a government that doesnt dip into your hard earned money.
To sum up, like any country theres good and bad and people will either like or dislike it here based on their personal preferences and their experience here.
I think reading through the posts, as with anything in life, we have a multitude of opposing opinions.
My intent was never to start arguing between others, but merely to see if ....well....i dunno. I suppose debate is a form of arguing.
Debate is good right? Arguing is its limit i suppose, all in all in this ramblimg method I suppose I'm just reiterating my point.
My opinion obviously, as its the only one I have.
I find it difficult to feel part of a country which is built on enticement. Those of you who ever saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and remember the child catcher will have a more visual understanding of how I feel about Qatar.
Enticed by sweetness, and then trapped.
When you bring in a transient population, you risk your own country being ridiculed by those who feel superior, as they come from a more developed nation, or inferior because they come, as one poster noted, merely to support their families back home.
Once here, the superior feel like they can blow their suppsoed higher earning capacity out of all proportion by living a life far beyond the luxury of what they would have expected at home, then are scared to return to how they were. Trapped.
The inferior are, in my opinion, given a confirmation of that very fact and are treated as such. Living and working in what the superiors would class as horrendous conditions, for that 'bread on the table' Again. Trapped
Two extremes side by side, not really wanting to be here, but feeling perhaps held by situation.
This is of course true of many areas of the world, but as I can only speak from my own experience, I can only comment on Qatar.
Extremes of situation, magnified.
This combined with a mix of Eastern conservatism and Western liberalism is going to be tough, for sure.
But why copy what many see as items that have ruined the west? Such as the chain of burger bars? Why not copy areas such as human rights or minimum wages?
I have neither the knowledge nor the skills to speak about any religion, but from what I see and hear from co workers, Islam is a beautifu and brotherly religion, laced over and over with love for others.
Surely a country, with a chance to start from the beginning, such as Qatar, could lead both its people and the world in developing a country that uses the lessons of others who may be, in some areas, further developed, whilst retaining its own identity.
I have no hatred for Qatar, or its people. On the contrary. I've just had enough, so I'm returning to where I come from.
Its far from perfect, but it's home. And perhaps that is all we really miss?
@ largerthanlifebuoy,it's not just you mate,there's a WHOLE bunch of us in this town,not ALL of whom are on QL...there's bound to be people who like it here & who justify that liking with whatever reason they see fit...so be it,that's their opinion,i respect that opinion but i sure as hell don't accept it & that my friend is where the problem starts,because a lot of people can't digest the fact that this is in fact one of THE MOST boring towns on the planet,yes Olive,we know,one of the others on that list is your hometown,as i'm sure is a number of other people's hometowns BUT one musn't compare apples with oranges should one?...Olive,your hometown's isn't your country's capital is it?...your hometown doesn't hope to host the FIFA World Cup in a decade or so does it?...yeah i thought not...
The question has been asked earlier & i apologize for asking again but there seem to be no satisfactory answers hence my repeating the question,
1)if income tax were introduced in this town,how many expats would still be here?
2) if expat salaries were more realistic by world standards as opposed to the current ridiculous paycheck plus compound villa plus whatever else comes with the package,how many expats would still be here?
I believe these are very valid questions because the fact of the matter is,we're here for the money,some people have other reasons,but how many expats live in this town because they actually like it & would continue to stay if the above two questions were answered in the affirmative...
Yes there are MANY more boring towns on the planet BUT they're towns in the boondocks NOT a town attempting to be a global capital,now that's giving pretentious a whole new meaning...
And anyways,if this place were so much fun,why in blazes do companies need to offer such ridiculously high pay packets to attract expats?...look @ Dubai,pay scales are WAY lower than here,yet SO MANY expats choose to go there...why? because Dubai has character,it has soul,like a real town ought to have as opposed to this pretentious one...
largerthanlifebuoy, you are not alone! For me, this place sucks. Been here for 4 months & I find this place so shallow. The worst part is, they don't allow live-in relationships here. So I cant invite my gf for say a month to stay here with me. I am all ready to fly off as soon as I find another job. I am really happy for you. Good luck!
Mate neither Qatar is painful nor you are, however the things around you are making you feel such....
The best way to overcome, until you will have the choice to change things is, don't built up any expectations at all, take the things as they come to you….or as they also say expect the un-expected...whichever fits you to make thing feel within your comfort zone.
Nothing or no where you should find perfection on this earth, it is only our perception or our way of comparing from our perceptive which makes us feel satisfied….
Remember we are not bound to have the ideal or ultimate and problem free life as we are on the Earth at least for now and the things related to perfection are to be expected in the hereafter or after life.
Well, I think that I tried to make you feel things differently.
risking to be called pretentious again (lol), I will dare to say that for many people in Qatar the "just for the money" is no longer seen as a problem, its even seen as a privilege. Long ago (if ever) they forgot that life is not only "just for money"...
personally,i am not here for the sake of money or the luxury.i am here for my parents.the day they decide to go back,i will also pack my bags and return home.
"You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.”
~ Amrta Shrii Shrii Anandamurti(Indian born Guru, 1921-1990)
At this point I probably could earn the same if I wanted to go out to the oil sands in Canada, but no, I'm not ready to go home. I love my country, but right now being here is offering me a lot more, not just in terms of money, but in terms of travel opportunities and general life experience. Whenever I go home I just feel bored. The variety of everything is great, but there's no challenge when you can get everything you want.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Then there is a very small minority who don't like Qatar, who are not here for the money and by some weird trick of fate landed here... I am one of them :)
"There are few people who are here not for the money and genuinely like Qatar and enjoy being here but if you look at the percentages, those people will be in minority."
I'm one of them :-)
"You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.”
~ Amrta Shrii Shrii Anandamurti(Indian born Guru, 1921-1990)
largerthanlifebuoy....how can we conclude or comment on behalf of all the people in Qatar....:) 20 people on internet thread can be considered a sample (for discussion purposes)...as you have varied responses...and yes it goes without saying most of us are here for money but lot of them are also having an enjoyable life and are quite satisfied for whatever reason which may be different from the reasons you or me may find to feel satisfied or soulful...and that is what your post is all about...is it as painful for others too as is for you.
Yes Qatar is a dull place.. Even lonely planet agrees I think..
Yes It can get painful living away from the loved ones...
But for most of the population which this forum doesn't represent, it means good money and they stay till the pain becomes unbearable or the desire of money is no longer there..
There are few people who are here not for the money and genuinely like Qatar and enjoy being here but if you look at the percentages, those people will be in minority.
You totally misread me. The only circumstances that I would look down on people, would be if they abuse others and nobody here was doing that.
As I previously said, I respect everybody's opinion because they have their own reasons to hold them.
That post was a direct answer to largerthanlifebuoy, as he knew the context I was referring to. Definitely it did not target you or to any other participant of this forum.
If you knew me, you would know that I am nice guy… ok, maybe with strong opinions, but mostly nice ;)
I used to live 1 year in Germany and I had great life back there.
Anyway I don't blame Doha or anyone for this feeling of mine.
I think it is a combination of:
- No friendly jobmates
- Few (if any) friends outside the jobplace
- Busy days
- Sleepy nights
- Almost every free leisure time is spent connecting back to the people you left back home, so increasing nostalgia and worsening the coping with the new life.
Its not me I was talking about but the large population of expat population here. I am very happy with my life here. I am not here to feed my family back home as my whole family is here with me. I guess I belong to the privileged group.
"For the majority of people here, Qatar is a bank, a salary, a soulless place to be 'for now'"....I think based on the comments, it is the minority which finds it soulless....
"Anesthetized" was used as a figurative term, refered to people who initially dont like Doha but become numbed with the superfluousness of compounds, villas, swimming pools, maids and drivers...
Yes, we came here for salary but that does not necessarily mean that we are not enjoying our stay here. We are not forced to stay here and make most of whats available here.
Its just that Qatar is boring sometimes but why should it be painful?
Come on, be fair, whether you agree with somebody's turn of phrase or not is not the point. The point of this thread is me having had enough of Qatar and asking whether it was just me.
I knew it wouldnt be, perhaops I wanted support, perhaps I wanted a debate.
As noted earlier, its good to hear from people who have differing and fairly reasonable points of view.
So, as I respect your views and turn of phrase, i feel you should respect others.
You have better opporunity here. Great. But people such as drmana, who points out that he comes here to feed his family kind of reiterates my point.
For the majority of people here, Qatar is a bank, a salary, a soulless place to be 'for now'
But that's exactly what I have been saying since the beginning.
Some like it others don't!
Nothing wrong with that.
Each individual is a unique creation, therefore has a unique view of the world. It just happens that my views of Doha coincide with those of largerthanlifebuoy.
PS. I am not here to change anyone’s views, just to state mine ;)
It was more so than that sentence Nic, your disdain for people who like Doha is pretty obvious in your posts, unless you generally refer to people as anesthetized in a complimentary manner? If so I apologize for my assumptions.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
But Nic, you do not see the reality which most of the expats in Qatar face i.e to put bread in plate for family back home. Hence, for most of us here Qatar is indeed not painful as for you. For many, life is not as fair as it for you maybe.
It's the way you're expressing yourself Nic, you say "They don't see the same reality, the way we see it!" as if we're some kind of a different species.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Who am I here to be pretentious? I am just stating what I think and trust me, I am nit trying to score any points here or to show inferiority or superiority - just debating with backed up arguments.
It is normal, that when one is experiencing joy, he/she won’t complain. That is why largerthanlifebuoy won’t get much support here, as most of the QLers are happy in Qatar.
I've been here a year, started to perhaps to get a little numb, so I'm off.
Without any disrespect to anybody, I feel a large number of people here forget who they are. A four bedroom house with staff doesnt give you a better life, it just gives you a 4 bedroom house with staff.
Yes, I am here for financial gain, and perhaps it was a life lesson i needed.
LTLB, if my family and finace weren't here I doubt I would be as content. Home is where the heart is as they say and my heart is here. So that makes it much easier.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
I think you make a fair point in regard to opportunities for you, and with your family here, as you say, i can see why you're happy. This is what I like about an open discussion like this, points can be made and (in this case) accepted by somebody who has the opposing view. Well put.
Snessy
I hear you on that point, i spent many hours sitting on a train.
As per my original point, was noting its painful for me. If you like it here, all power to you.
I feel perhaps I have just reached the end of my tether
You won't get many people here that would dare to agree with you.
Most of the people here (with all respect) find their situation here in Qatar, the best life they ever experienced.
Fortunately, you obviously have experienced better life in more fulfilling places.
I repeat my advice, if worth it and if needed, stay until your finances are balanced.
It takes a very long time to meet people here, you can relate with, but with time, you will eventually meet one or two (just don’t expect the entire society to change, nor Doha to get some soul and character).
Eventually, leave before you get numbed and don’t realize that you have been anesthetized and no longer need the excitement of a vibrant place! Many people here unfortunately reached that stage with the compounds, villas, swimming pools, maids and drivers... for them, that's life!
Qatar isn't for everyone, but if you have a family and value your time together, this is a great place to be. In London, hubby & I used to work long hours and we had a long commute. In Qatar, we're able to spend quality time together during the week too, whereas in London we only had the weekends. It's what you make of it, I'm not Qatar's biggest fan, but I like the lifestyle here.
*****If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*****
I understand that Nic, but there's not many places in the world that compare with those cities, and having spent time in all of them they don't seem to be much fun to be in with no money. I've lived all over the world in the last 6 years and this is actually the first place that I've found I could stay for awhile and it feels comfortable, probably because for once I'm financially stable and most people speak English.
I guess I'm just easily pleased.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
But you can certainly imagine how one who comes from a vibrant place like New York City, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong or many other etcs... would feel pretty much the same as you feel when you leave Doha and go back home :)
As I said, it all depends from where you come from and which luggage you carry with you.
Personally, Doha is far from being intellectually, socially, professionally or entertainingly fulfilling!
Doha is no doubt for many of us, financially fulfilling and that is why we all stick here for that while ;)
Hope you will have the chances, one day to find an even more fulfilling place!
How'd you guess Nic. :) Yes Canada is a great nation, the only problem is that it's a BIG nation, and you get these isolated small industry towns that make Doha look like a bustling metropolis. For me, while it might not have everything in the world in forms of entertainment, it has the important things, it has economic security, job opportunities, movie theaters (albeit censored ones), oceans you can swim in, bars with toilets intact (hell it has bars plural!), malls that have more than a Walmart, my family, a museum, parks, and more.
I came from a place that is dying to come to a place that is growing. That's nice.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
We so far have noted that we can stick it out here great (mantra for life eh?) it has more than just one macdonalds (brilliant)if there was scenery we wouldnt be able to look at it too long (thanks god for barren rubbish strewn desert)as well as a mcdonalds we can also get somebody else to make us coffee (forgive me while i get over excited)if we are putting money away the first thing we do is go somwhere else to spend it (another point scorer)its not the worst place in the world (not the best sales pitch)and apparently if I do complain i have to just go away (brilliant come back, slick work there)
I think I've pretty much rounded up the comments so far
So, back to my previsou point.
Qatar = Salary, and thats it. If you cant get used to that, or if you were interested in ANYTHING other than cash, probably best to be somewhere else?
Oh and I should note Nic that the ski hills, beaches and places you could kayak were all about an hour to two hours away. So it wasn't something you could get to on a daily basis.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
It was pretty, but you can only stare at scenery so long. Also there really wasn't much to do with the nature. The ocean was too cold to swim in (got to about 10 degrees in the "heat" of the summer) there were a few small over priced ski hills and a few place to kayak for the few months you could, but it wasn't like Banff or any of the places in the Rockies that made up for being small with TONS of outdoor stuff to do.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Actually Adey, until about 6 years ago when I left the little sh** town I'm from my idea of an awesome town was anyplace with a movie theater and a pub that still had it's toilets intact.
When anyone complains about here I always feel like booking them a ticket to my home town and saying, you think this sucks, go spend 17 years there!
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
if that is the one charecteristic of sophistcation you employ,re the number of McDonalds a place has, then don't go to a real city - the excitment might be too much to bear! :)
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
LTLB...no its not strange as you put it...other places may have the options to enjoy per se but I may not have enough cash to enjoy that...here I have money but limited options to enjoy...so earn here enjoy there.....makes life good...:)
I grew up in a town on an island with only 3000 people and a lot of trees. We didn't get a McDonalds till I was 17. This place is great. It's got not 1, not 2 but like 10 McDonalds!
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
There is nothing wrong with you, those who come from liberal and developed societies often feel that way!
This is a country with no soul or character and if you are used to cosmopolitan, vibrant and diverse societies, you'll feel an extreme void here.
Doha has been classified by Lonely Planet as the dullest capital of the Middle East and what you are experiencing is just what led them to that classification.
If you come here as a bachelor, it will take some time to get used to it, to find your niche in the desert.
Some never do and go back. Others never do and stay for a while to catch up with the finances, if worth it!
Oh well than! If you're nosey in Qatar it probably would be painful. I recommend he stop looking under women's niqab and their husbands will stop punching him in the face.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
This reminds me of the old joke where the guys goes into the doctors and says "doc it hurts when I so this." and the doctor says "well stop doing that"
I don't know what you're doing to make Qatar painful, but stop doing that.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
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I've already answered that question gardene, and the answer is yes, even with income tax and no "expat package" (which I don't have anyway) I would still like it here. As for their chances of holding the world cup, I don't think they have one, but hey, why not shoot for the stars. Doesn't bother me.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
QATAR IS OFFCOURSE SMALL PLACE , MIGHT BE BORING IF YOU DO NOT HAVE FRIENDS, I DONT THINK ITS PAINFUL , U CAN ENJOY EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OVER HERE.
Now I get it. Some people who came from the "knowledgeably favorable situation" somewhat finds Qatar a bit boring or dull, and it only takes those people to open up their knowledge and expertise they've learned to give Qatar new exposures of the world outside the country.
On the other hand, people who were usually hired as 'cheap labor' most probably came from the "lesser favorable situation" areas of respective countries to make them stay here for long because this may be the only country they thought as 'more developed' without the need or care to know the underlying 'issues' the people of the "knowledgeably favorable situation" sees.
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
At gadarene, you have said the right words to king(slave)007.
A note to you all
I suppose the mods may have to close this thread down if it gets any more like a full on argument, which was not my intention.
I merely wanted to hear peoples thoughts, I have been enlightened by some and the views, even those who have differing views to mine.
There is no need to turn this into an argument between posters, or attempting a divide between geographical boundaries.
As i previously have noted, everyone has an opinion, and it is only their own.
Enforcing your opinion on others can lead to no good on a public forum such as this. We are neither leaders of countries nor soldiers of war.
So please, place your opinion, check back and see others. Isnt that how we all can learn?
I thought this thread was going pretty well. Some balanced notes both for and against. And I for one have enjoyed reading those posts from people who both like it and dislike it here.
Watch your words people. This is getting sour by looking at some local response.
right now for me qatar is veryyyyy painful,
last night i proposed to my girlalalala
i told her "i love u so muchhhhhhh"
she said "NO NO NO NO i dont love u, but u r one of my bestfriend"
how painful huhuhuhu:(((
u r online right now...
please say yessssssssss plssssss
@ Olive, would that "expat life" be as enjoyable if you had to pay income tax & didn't get so 'generous' an "expat package" is my question?...& exciting is fine but a country that has NEVER ONCE qualified for the World Cup let alone come anywhere close to winning it has not earned the right to host the Cup based purely on their monetary ability,fair enough?...
@ truthnpeace,this is an OPEN FORUM mate,in case you hadn't noticed,might have something to do with the fact that one NEVER gets to read anything negative about this town anywhere else right?...NO place is perfect mate,& that includes this place...the guy isn't "preaching",he's just saying he's had enough & he's leaving,that's his opinion,he's entitled to express that opinion plain & simple...
If you don't like Qatar, leave this place immidiately. DON'T PREACH.....if you are interested in changing the world, GO to your own place start revolution there.
Hippocracy of WEST, of false civilization,development,blah blah..is culminating after successful run for few centuries, in the cycle of civilization now it's term for orientals again. See the writings on the wall & learn to live with it.
I call these naggers "opportunitists", who come here, enjoy the fruits and abuse it too, pity!!!
"Let the truth Prevail"
if i have money..i will go home'
@ king007,it's Indians like you with no national pride that gives the rest of us a bad name,of course you wouldn't want to go back because back home you'd be a mediocre guy,stuck in a mediocre job with no career growth & no life,why? because there are SO MANY others who're better @ doing what you do,here in this blind town,the man with one eye(that's you in case you didn't get it) is king right? of course you wouldn't want to leave the tax free salary you get here for doing nothing much & go back home where you would need to actually work hard to earn your living now would you?...fortunately not ALL Indians think like you & that number is growing everyday...to quote you an example,upto 10 senior Indian engineers(one of whom is known to me personally) quit their high-paying jobs here & went back home to the same pay after tax but the irreplecable joy of being home...of course,they, unlike you,are actually good @ what they do,so king007 my friend,please,don't bother going back home,they don't need you there 'cos you just take up space & @ a billion plus we're a bit short on that,so just like you asked largerthanlifebouy to leave,i request you,please stay here & don't go back home...& please stop calling it home,you don't deserve it...
I'm always too busy to leave in the summer. Hopefully I'll be able to this August, but for the last 3 years I've been here the whole summer. It's tough on my delicate Canadian constitution ;)
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
genesis,
As good as it sounds, we can't all go for 5 months vacation! who runs the country during that period?
take your annual vacation in the summer period. that's what everyone else does.
I should probably point out that my reasons for staying in Qatar disappear sometime around June and don't come back till October. LOL. Than I hate Qatar has much as anyone else. :)
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Sag
Absolutely, every person has their own opinion and has the right to expresss them.
I noted way back that Olive has made some great points for her reasons to be here.
But as with opinions and personal experiences, the situation Olive finds herself in is not the situation I find myself in.
2 differing points of view. Same country.
Ok largerthanlifebuoy, happy and safe journey. :-)
The inability of dealing with criticism, the lack of a humor, the inability of making fun of our own societies, are traits of narrow minded mentalities, definitely not present in any world class capital!
Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out ;)
largerthanlifebuoy,
What is enjoyable to some may not be enjoyable to others. One should be allowed to define his own enjoyment. There is no concrete definition for it, right?
King 007
I dont understand your point?
You are saying if you dont like Doha get out of here?
If you'd read my post you would note I am getting out of here.
I dont understand the need to 'instruct' me to do something that I'm already doing. Where is the debate in that?
All in all, I have enjoyed the discussion on here, valid personal points from both sides.
Peoples own opinions.
I didnt drag myself here, I came willingly, but as time has passed I have realised that its not for me
So I am going
king007,
No one is here expressing an opinion just because he/she wants to provoke or insult others.
The reaction of "if you don't like it, just leave" reveals an enormous ignorance. Also reveals a great inferior complex and certainly a high degree of insecurity. Those who dare to say those things show their narrow limits, as they don’t even know that it’s ok to express individual points of views and it’s with critical reviews that improvement ideas are generated.
The mentality of "leave if u don’t like" handicaps this place to become what they so eagerly desire, a true cosmopolitan world class city. All they have is the shell that looks like that from the distance. Once you approach it and walk through it, it won't take long to realize its emptiness...
It’s a fact, and it won’t get any better until it’s acknowledged!
Garadene, of course my hometown isn't going for any of those things, that's one of the things I find so exciting about this place. As for the income tax & ridiculous pay, ya I probably would stay. As I've said, I haven't gotten enough of the expat life yet.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Largerthanlifebuoy,
If Doha was able to attract more people like you, who have an opinion of its own, who can bring new perspectives and are not afraid of expressing themselves, Doha would certainly be a much more interesting place!
The reason Doha is unable to attract and fix people with those characteristics is precisely what you mentioned. The parts that Doha copies from the western model are the ones that were proven wrong. The parts (social security, minimum wage, workers rights, etc…) that are seen as humanitarian and therefore respected and praised by the rest of the world are sadly overlooked here!
A country so much money, could have certainly conquest the respect of the world if it had known better, to be built on humanitarian values instead of greed and abuse of the less favored people (maids and labor and others).
So when are u leaving or u have already left this "painful" place, as u call it?
Like the saying goes, if you dont like the heat, get out of the kitchen, so if you dont like doha, u are free to get out of here, dont spoil ur "larger than life" life by dragging urself here, life is short, Qatar can replace u with someone better but u cannot get the days back which u spent here.
Some people nag all the time. Given a choice, I would not go back to home country even if I get the same salary as i get here...
@ largerthanlifebuoy,well put mate...enforcing human rights & minimum wage doesn't bring in the moolah like the burger bars now does it?...it would bring them respect on a global stage in the long run but who's thinking along those lines?...it's all about the money isn't it?...spot on about the two extremes,pretty much sums it up,expect a fair amount of "i belong to neither category,i'm here because i like it here" reactions,but hey to each his/her own...to reiterate,it's not just you mate,there are LOADS of our ilk here,bidding our time,yours has come,good for you mate...
home sweet home
Doha
meaning of the word doha in arabic is the big tree which provide shade to everybody :)
nadt i agree with you 100%
For me Qatar has been painful, but not because its considered "boring". Im far from bored here, sometimes i wish i had the time to be bored. I have my hubby and kids around me(something we take for granted as many expats here dont have that privledge), a job that i enjoy and made some great friends here.
What makes Qatar painful for me is:
1) Im very far from my parents, family and lifelong friends. I miss popping over to their homes for coffee or just hangin out with them. Long distance phonecalls are a pain, they just remind you of how far away you are from them. I dont like the fact that my kids only see their grandparents once a year. I know that if my parents and siblings were here, it wouldnt be different.
2) I miss going for walks and seeing greenery. Having to drive to Aspire park or the corniche doesnt count. I miss just being able leave the house to walk out on the streets without having to fear someone is going to run us over or walking on the streets because people think the curbside is for parking.
3) I hate the way roads are structered here. A lot of unneccesary driving because most roads are one way and if you make one mistake you end up in another area, and you have to spend time in congested traffic just to get back where you are( I miss u-turns).
i could go on and on, but im sure i would also have a list of what i disliked in Aus as well. Theres good and bad in every country.
Qatar has been very challenging for me because i was used to a different kind of living but that isnt to say that Qatar doesnt have a lot of advantages.
The country is very laid back and relaxing (apart from driving on the roads), very safe to live and raise kids, friendly and hospitable locals and a government that doesnt dip into your hard earned money.
To sum up, like any country theres good and bad and people will either like or dislike it here based on their personal preferences and their experience here.
I think reading through the posts, as with anything in life, we have a multitude of opposing opinions.
My intent was never to start arguing between others, but merely to see if ....well....i dunno. I suppose debate is a form of arguing.
Debate is good right? Arguing is its limit i suppose, all in all in this ramblimg method I suppose I'm just reiterating my point.
My opinion obviously, as its the only one I have.
I find it difficult to feel part of a country which is built on enticement. Those of you who ever saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and remember the child catcher will have a more visual understanding of how I feel about Qatar.
Enticed by sweetness, and then trapped.
When you bring in a transient population, you risk your own country being ridiculed by those who feel superior, as they come from a more developed nation, or inferior because they come, as one poster noted, merely to support their families back home.
Once here, the superior feel like they can blow their suppsoed higher earning capacity out of all proportion by living a life far beyond the luxury of what they would have expected at home, then are scared to return to how they were. Trapped.
The inferior are, in my opinion, given a confirmation of that very fact and are treated as such. Living and working in what the superiors would class as horrendous conditions, for that 'bread on the table' Again. Trapped
Two extremes side by side, not really wanting to be here, but feeling perhaps held by situation.
This is of course true of many areas of the world, but as I can only speak from my own experience, I can only comment on Qatar.
Extremes of situation, magnified.
This combined with a mix of Eastern conservatism and Western liberalism is going to be tough, for sure.
But why copy what many see as items that have ruined the west? Such as the chain of burger bars? Why not copy areas such as human rights or minimum wages?
I have neither the knowledge nor the skills to speak about any religion, but from what I see and hear from co workers, Islam is a beautifu and brotherly religion, laced over and over with love for others.
Surely a country, with a chance to start from the beginning, such as Qatar, could lead both its people and the world in developing a country that uses the lessons of others who may be, in some areas, further developed, whilst retaining its own identity.
I have no hatred for Qatar, or its people. On the contrary. I've just had enough, so I'm returning to where I come from.
Its far from perfect, but it's home. And perhaps that is all we really miss?
@ largerthanlifebuoy,it's not just you mate,there's a WHOLE bunch of us in this town,not ALL of whom are on QL...there's bound to be people who like it here & who justify that liking with whatever reason they see fit...so be it,that's their opinion,i respect that opinion but i sure as hell don't accept it & that my friend is where the problem starts,because a lot of people can't digest the fact that this is in fact one of THE MOST boring towns on the planet,yes Olive,we know,one of the others on that list is your hometown,as i'm sure is a number of other people's hometowns BUT one musn't compare apples with oranges should one?...Olive,your hometown's isn't your country's capital is it?...your hometown doesn't hope to host the FIFA World Cup in a decade or so does it?...yeah i thought not...
The question has been asked earlier & i apologize for asking again but there seem to be no satisfactory answers hence my repeating the question,
1)if income tax were introduced in this town,how many expats would still be here?
2) if expat salaries were more realistic by world standards as opposed to the current ridiculous paycheck plus compound villa plus whatever else comes with the package,how many expats would still be here?
I believe these are very valid questions because the fact of the matter is,we're here for the money,some people have other reasons,but how many expats live in this town because they actually like it & would continue to stay if the above two questions were answered in the affirmative...
Yes there are MANY more boring towns on the planet BUT they're towns in the boondocks NOT a town attempting to be a global capital,now that's giving pretentious a whole new meaning...
And anyways,if this place were so much fun,why in blazes do companies need to offer such ridiculously high pay packets to attract expats?...look @ Dubai,pay scales are WAY lower than here,yet SO MANY expats choose to go there...why? because Dubai has character,it has soul,like a real town ought to have as opposed to this pretentious one...
largerthanlifebuoy, you are not alone! For me, this place sucks. Been here for 4 months & I find this place so shallow. The worst part is, they don't allow live-in relationships here. So I cant invite my gf for say a month to stay here with me. I am all ready to fly off as soon as I find another job. I am really happy for you. Good luck!
FS I can't go back just yet.. Will go back soon though but There are some things to be done before I go back...
"Live with passion, Die with style"
'no soul or character and if you are used to cosmopolitan, vibrant and diverse societies, you'll feel an extreme void here.'
Well Qatar has a very diverse and cosmopolitan society!!!I come from one, my parents live in one and I have travelled to many places. I love Qatar.
I have a Qatari friend who thinks Canada is the dullest place he has ever visited namely because of the people...
As Olive said.... how long can you look at scenery. so I guess that balances it out.
Mate neither Qatar is painful nor you are, however the things around you are making you feel such....
The best way to overcome, until you will have the choice to change things is, don't built up any expectations at all, take the things as they come to you….or as they also say expect the un-expected...whichever fits you to make thing feel within your comfort zone.
Nothing or no where you should find perfection on this earth, it is only our perception or our way of comparing from our perceptive which makes us feel satisfied….
Remember we are not bound to have the ideal or ultimate and problem free life as we are on the Earth at least for now and the things related to perfection are to be expected in the hereafter or after life.
Well, I think that I tried to make you feel things differently.
If it helped a bit, I will be happy.
Peace.
yeah I agree,why don't you just take the first flight to home?
Happy . I do agree on all your comments above.. Qatar neither gives pain , Nor much of happiness, Its just Ok.
Money is the reason not the place.. and am always in search for a better balance between the two to fly out :)
____________________________________________________
Success is not something to wait for;
it’s something to work for…
I know some really nice people here, but the country itself is a pain in the a**.
I actually quite like it over here. Life is what you make it, and we are not only here for the money, we like the life over here.
..
FS...If I got same kind of money back home I will fly out yesterday not tomorrow...:)________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
largerthanlifebuoy,
I totally agree with you.
Congratulations for your decision, man!
I sincerely wish all here, will achieve their goals and proceed their chosen path, whatever their choice is.
Mine follows largerthanlifebuoy's!
Can't wait for that day ;)
d-redd
its not complaining, its called a discussion
nah!!its not pretty bad da way it is ..every city gt its share of spoils its betta 2 quit complaini n move fwd or adjust!
Nic
Many an evening soul searching has been the reason behind me leaving, I'm going in a few weeks.
I came here for big money, i earn big money, but I'm not sure anybody ever looked back on their life and smiled because they had money.
I fear a past only littered with tails of dollars, rather than a life lived
WK if I were you...I would have gone back !!
largerthanlifebuoy,
risking to be called pretentious again (lol), I will dare to say that for many people in Qatar the "just for the money" is no longer seen as a problem, its even seen as a privilege. Long ago (if ever) they forgot that life is not only "just for money"...
personally,i am not here for the sake of money or the luxury.i am here for my parents.the day they decide to go back,i will also pack my bags and return home.
"You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.”
~ Amrta Shrii Shrii Anandamurti(Indian born Guru, 1921-1990)
At this point I probably could earn the same if I wanted to go out to the oil sands in Canada, but no, I'm not ready to go home. I love my country, but right now being here is offering me a lot more, not just in terms of money, but in terms of travel opportunities and general life experience. Whenever I go home I just feel bored. The variety of everything is great, but there's no challenge when you can get everything you want.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
I think, to drag this thread away from pure arguing, its not fair to say that anybodys opinion is not valid.
Its all valid.
If we all thought the same life would be boring....which reminds me
I would be on the first bird smoking out of Doha.
FS I had a job offer back home where I was being paid similar amount, just a few bucks here and there but I am here..
"Live with passion, Die with style"
Happy go Lucky....good point.
Therefore, can we please get everybody who lives in Qatar on this forum by tomorrow.
But as you noted, and as I suspect, the majority of people are here for the money
Yet to be convinced otherwise
If I lost my job I'd look for a new one. Simple as that.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
So let me ask you guys a question...
In your country if you can get the same money as you get here.. how many of you will go back?
i was not born here....but i spent my childhood and adulthood here...my teens in the emirates.do i get a say?or am i to move out of this thread?
"You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.”
~ Amrta Shrii Shrii Anandamurti(Indian born Guru, 1921-1990)
The job and the money are what allow you to live the lifestyle you enjoy here in Qatar. Take them away and where would you be?
Yes the ones born and brought up here can not really feel what others do...
"Live with passion, Die with style"
So those people who are not here for the money would stay if they lost their jobs?
People who are born and brought up here in Qatar...there opinion does not do justice to this thread...just my opinion.
________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Then there is a very small minority who don't like Qatar, who are not here for the money and by some weird trick of fate landed here... I am one of them :)
"Live with passion, Die with style"
I can honestly say the money doesn't hurt, but it's not the reason I stay. :p
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
"There are few people who are here not for the money and genuinely like Qatar and enjoy being here but if you look at the percentages, those people will be in minority."
I'm one of them :-)
"You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.”
~ Amrta Shrii Shrii Anandamurti(Indian born Guru, 1921-1990)
Nothing keeps me in Qatar but the sun, the sand, and the sea. But, this is not Made in Qatar, it's made by God. There is nothing they can be proud of.
largerthanlifebuoy....how can we conclude or comment on behalf of all the people in Qatar....:) 20 people on internet thread can be considered a sample (for discussion purposes)...as you have varied responses...and yes it goes without saying most of us are here for money but lot of them are also having an enjoyable life and are quite satisfied for whatever reason which may be different from the reasons you or me may find to feel satisfied or soulful...and that is what your post is all about...is it as painful for others too as is for you.
________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Yes Qatar is a dull place.. Even lonely planet agrees I think..
Yes It can get painful living away from the loved ones...
But for most of the population which this forum doesn't represent, it means good money and they stay till the pain becomes unbearable or the desire of money is no longer there..
There are few people who are here not for the money and genuinely like Qatar and enjoy being here but if you look at the percentages, those people will be in minority.
"Live with passion, Die with style"
Olive,
no worries, its ok. it can happen to any of us ;)
Alright then Nic, I apologize for misreading you. A written forum is not always the best place to gage what people are thinking. Sorry. :)
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Olive,
You totally misread me. The only circumstances that I would look down on people, would be if they abuse others and nobody here was doing that.
As I previously said, I respect everybody's opinion because they have their own reasons to hold them.
That post was a direct answer to largerthanlifebuoy, as he knew the context I was referring to. Definitely it did not target you or to any other participant of this forum.
If you knew me, you would know that I am nice guy… ok, maybe with strong opinions, but mostly nice ;)
Happy go lucky
Based on what comments? 20 people on an internet thread.
I'm talking about people in Qatar.
We are here for ther money, nothing else.
It is a developing country enticing growth through monetarty incentives
If, for example, they introduced a 25% tax rate, how many people do you think would leave?
I'd be willing to bet quite a few.
largerthanlifebuoy,
Thanks, I sure never had any other intention than to express my opinion.
Just happened that I share yours!
Aunty virus,
Thanks but I think everybody's contributions are valid.
Sorry, I won't answer that question in a public forum.
There are reasons for everything. One day, if we ever get to meet, I will let you know and you'll understand the "sacrifice".
;)
I'm feeling quite like larger.
I used to live 1 year in Germany and I had great life back there.
Anyway I don't blame Doha or anyone for this feeling of mine.
I think it is a combination of:
- No friendly jobmates
- Few (if any) friends outside the jobplace
- Busy days
- Sleepy nights
- Almost every free leisure time is spent connecting back to the people you left back home, so increasing nostalgia and worsening the coping with the new life.
largerthanlifebuoy,
Its not me I was talking about but the large population of expat population here. I am very happy with my life here. I am not here to feed my family back home as my whole family is here with me. I guess I belong to the privileged group.
"For the majority of people here, Qatar is a bank, a salary, a soulless place to be 'for now'"....I think based on the comments, it is the minority which finds it soulless....
________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Olive,
"Anesthetized" was used as a figurative term, refered to people who initially dont like Doha but become numbed with the superfluousness of compounds, villas, swimming pools, maids and drivers...
i grew up here and have learnt to love this city and this nation like my own home :-)
"You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.”
~ Amrta Shrii Shrii Anandamurti(Indian born Guru, 1921-1990)
Sorry to hijack your thread LTLB, I just don't like it when I feel someone is unreasonably looking down on others.
There's many people here that feel like you, there's others that don't. Doha isn't for everyone.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Yes, we came here for salary but that does not necessarily mean that we are not enjoying our stay here. We are not forced to stay here and make most of whats available here.
Its just that Qatar is boring sometimes but why should it be painful?
Nic you are the only one who give sensible comments here.
But I sometimes wonder why you are living in this dull city? You don’t have any other options?
For what/who are you living here? it sounds like its mandatory for you to stay here with all the inadequacies..
olive
Come on, be fair, whether you agree with somebody's turn of phrase or not is not the point. The point of this thread is me having had enough of Qatar and asking whether it was just me.
I knew it wouldnt be, perhaops I wanted support, perhaps I wanted a debate.
As noted earlier, its good to hear from people who have differing and fairly reasonable points of view.
So, as I respect your views and turn of phrase, i feel you should respect others.
You have better opporunity here. Great. But people such as drmana, who points out that he comes here to feed his family kind of reiterates my point.
For the majority of people here, Qatar is a bank, a salary, a soulless place to be 'for now'
Drmana,
But that's exactly what I have been saying since the beginning.
Some like it others don't!
Nothing wrong with that.
Each individual is a unique creation, therefore has a unique view of the world. It just happens that my views of Doha coincide with those of largerthanlifebuoy.
PS. I am not here to change anyone’s views, just to state mine ;)
It was more so than that sentence Nic, your disdain for people who like Doha is pretty obvious in your posts, unless you generally refer to people as anesthetized in a complimentary manner? If so I apologize for my assumptions.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Olive,
Sorry, you should know me better by now!
Let me clarify:
They: those are OK in Doha
We: those who find Doha a dull city
No other type of segregation was meant!
But Nic, you do not see the reality which most of the expats in Qatar face i.e to put bread in plate for family back home. Hence, for most of us here Qatar is indeed not painful as for you. For many, life is not as fair as it for you maybe.
It's the way you're expressing yourself Nic, you say "They don't see the same reality, the way we see it!" as if we're some kind of a different species.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
largerthanlifebuoy,
I totally agree with you but most of the Qlers come from different backgrounds. They don't see the same reality, the way we see it!
Olive,
Who am I here to be pretentious? I am just stating what I think and trust me, I am nit trying to score any points here or to show inferiority or superiority - just debating with backed up arguments.
It is normal, that when one is experiencing joy, he/she won’t complain. That is why largerthanlifebuoy won’t get much support here, as most of the QLers are happy in Qatar.
What's wrong in expressing this?
I can't wait to die and leave it all behind.. And once I die, I won't be looking back :)
"Live with passion, Die with style"
Nic
I've been here a year, started to perhaps to get a little numb, so I'm off.
Without any disrespect to anybody, I feel a large number of people here forget who they are. A four bedroom house with staff doesnt give you a better life, it just gives you a 4 bedroom house with staff.
Yes, I am here for financial gain, and perhaps it was a life lesson i needed.
When I leave this place...i wont be looking back
LTLB, if my family and finace weren't here I doubt I would be as content. Home is where the heart is as they say and my heart is here. So that makes it much easier.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
I am in this coutry for almost qtr of a century (26 years) and I consider it my 2nd (almost 1st) home.
and money might be one of the reason but not the only reason I am here.
____________________________________________________
I don't believe in taking right decisions;
I take decisions and make them right.
Wow Nic. Bit of a pretentious speech don't you think.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Olive
I think you make a fair point in regard to opportunities for you, and with your family here, as you say, i can see why you're happy. This is what I like about an open discussion like this, points can be made and (in this case) accepted by somebody who has the opposing view. Well put.
Snessy
I hear you on that point, i spent many hours sitting on a train.
As per my original point, was noting its painful for me. If you like it here, all power to you.
I feel perhaps I have just reached the end of my tether
Largerthanlifebuoy,
You won't get many people here that would dare to agree with you.
Most of the people here (with all respect) find their situation here in Qatar, the best life they ever experienced.
Fortunately, you obviously have experienced better life in more fulfilling places.
I repeat my advice, if worth it and if needed, stay until your finances are balanced.
It takes a very long time to meet people here, you can relate with, but with time, you will eventually meet one or two (just don’t expect the entire society to change, nor Doha to get some soul and character).
Eventually, leave before you get numbed and don’t realize that you have been anesthetized and no longer need the excitement of a vibrant place! Many people here unfortunately reached that stage with the compounds, villas, swimming pools, maids and drivers... for them, that's life!
Not for you so don’t forget that!
I guess...its the add-ons which make life less painful, that is being discussed.
________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Qatar isn't for everyone, but if you have a family and value your time together, this is a great place to be. In London, hubby & I used to work long hours and we had a long commute. In Qatar, we're able to spend quality time together during the week too, whereas in London we only had the weekends. It's what you make of it, I'm not Qatar's biggest fan, but I like the lifestyle here.
*****If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*****
Life itself is painful why single out Qatar..
"Live with passion, Die with style"
I understand that Nic, but there's not many places in the world that compare with those cities, and having spent time in all of them they don't seem to be much fun to be in with no money. I've lived all over the world in the last 6 years and this is actually the first place that I've found I could stay for awhile and it feels comfortable, probably because for once I'm financially stable and most people speak English.
I guess I'm just easily pleased.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Khanan
That is the point we are discussing, we are here for the money.....thats it. Dont you find that pretty soulless?
sometime I wonder, WTH is keeping you stay in a country you hate so much and which is not upto your standard????
____________________________________________________
I don't believe in taking right decisions;
I take decisions and make them right.
I would put it, for most of the cases :
Qatar= Salary + % Life (the percentage can vary for each one from 0- any number)________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Olive,
I totally understand you.
But you can certainly imagine how one who comes from a vibrant place like New York City, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong or many other etcs... would feel pretty much the same as you feel when you leave Doha and go back home :)
As I said, it all depends from where you come from and which luggage you carry with you.
Personally, Doha is far from being intellectually, socially, professionally or entertainingly fulfilling!
Doha is no doubt for many of us, financially fulfilling and that is why we all stick here for that while ;)
Hope you will have the chances, one day to find an even more fulfilling place!
Nic
I did read yours, nice to have somebody who thinks like me on here. Thanks
I just get so frustrated over here. I'm not going to slander the country (just yet)or point my fingers at specifics. We all know the issues Qatar has.
For me, it just has no soul and feel an extrmely empty place to be.
largerthanlifebuoy,
O_o
and did u read my comments?
How'd you guess Nic. :) Yes Canada is a great nation, the only problem is that it's a BIG nation, and you get these isolated small industry towns that make Doha look like a bustling metropolis. For me, while it might not have everything in the world in forms of entertainment, it has the important things, it has economic security, job opportunities, movie theaters (albeit censored ones), oceans you can swim in, bars with toilets intact (hell it has bars plural!), malls that have more than a Walmart, my family, a museum, parks, and more.
I came from a place that is dying to come to a place that is growing. That's nice.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Yep that's pretty much it, in a nutshell.
Best thing about Qatar is it's pretty easy to travel to some cool places :D
--All you really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt-- Lucy Van Pelt
OK
So let me get this right.
We so far have noted that we can stick it out here great (mantra for life eh?) it has more than just one macdonalds (brilliant)if there was scenery we wouldnt be able to look at it too long (thanks god for barren rubbish strewn desert)as well as a mcdonalds we can also get somebody else to make us coffee (forgive me while i get over excited)if we are putting money away the first thing we do is go somwhere else to spend it (another point scorer)its not the worst place in the world (not the best sales pitch)and apparently if I do complain i have to just go away (brilliant come back, slick work there)
I think I've pretty much rounded up the comments so far
So, back to my previsou point.
Qatar = Salary, and thats it. If you cant get used to that, or if you were interested in ANYTHING other than cash, probably best to be somewhere else?
Olive,
But it was Canada, a great nation ;)
Let me guess, Atlantic coast?
Obviously the way we feel about Doha is conditioned by what we had before coming here ;)
If you come from a less favorable situation, you'll find it here OK
If you come from a more exciting place, you will feel as Largerthanlifebuoy does.
Nevertheless, in international standards for “Exciting and Vibrating Places”, Doha is far from qualifying!
I repeat, Lonely Planet (not me but I totally agree), classified Doha as the dullest capital of the Middle East.
Oh and I should note Nic that the ski hills, beaches and places you could kayak were all about an hour to two hours away. So it wasn't something you could get to on a daily basis.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
It was pretty, but you can only stare at scenery so long. Also there really wasn't much to do with the nature. The ocean was too cold to swim in (got to about 10 degrees in the "heat" of the summer) there were a few small over priced ski hills and a few place to kayak for the few months you could, but it wasn't like Banff or any of the places in the Rockies that made up for being small with TONS of outdoor stuff to do.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
and Starbucks... it really isn't that bad here;-P
I love Doha:-)
visit www.qaws.org
Olive what's the name of your city?
But I've just learned what will ease the pain...
McDonalds LOL
Off to get a Big Mac...........
--All you really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt-- Lucy Van Pelt
Olive,
don't take me wrong. I am sure it was a beautiful place.
i (with no doubt) would prefer it, to dusty desert environments!
Amazing nature can be a great replacement for the fun big cities usually offers!
Actually Adey, until about 6 years ago when I left the little sh** town I'm from my idea of an awesome town was anyplace with a movie theater and a pub that still had it's toilets intact.
When anyone complains about here I always feel like booking them a ticket to my home town and saying, you think this sucks, go spend 17 years there!
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
if that is the one charecteristic of sophistcation you employ,re the number of McDonalds a place has, then don't go to a real city - the excitment might be too much to bear! :)
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
i were born over here... and i feel this place like homeland... yet another reason too, we are here for a common cause...!!
... BAADSHAH ...
LTLB...no its not strange as you put it...other places may have the options to enjoy per se but I may not have enough cash to enjoy that...here I have money but limited options to enjoy...so earn here enjoy there.....makes life good...:)
_______________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Let's just put it this way Nic, it may not be the best place I've ever lived, but it's most definitely NOT the worst.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
just go away
painful, in what way?
Olive,
that explains why you are contented with Doha ;)
I grew up in a town on an island with only 3000 people and a lot of trees. We didn't get a McDonalds till I was 17. This place is great. It's got not 1, not 2 but like 10 McDonalds!
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
Largerthanlifebuoy,
There is nothing wrong with you, those who come from liberal and developed societies often feel that way!
This is a country with no soul or character and if you are used to cosmopolitan, vibrant and diverse societies, you'll feel an extreme void here.
Doha has been classified by Lonely Planet as the dullest capital of the Middle East and what you are experiencing is just what led them to that classification.
If you come here as a bachelor, it will take some time to get used to it, to find your niche in the desert.
Some never do and go back. Others never do and stay for a while to catch up with the finances, if worth it!
To answer to your question: It's not just you!
Qatar may be boring but painful....no it is not.
It neither gives pain nor gives much of happiness...just OK for me....can tolerate for some more time...:)
________________________________________
One life to live, live it to the fullest.
Nah. There are whole sections of my country that people wouldn't go to unless it was for money.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
my point is....if there was no money to be made here, why would anybody come?
A country that only has people here for one thing, a salary, does nobody think that's a little strange?
YOU!!!!
____________________________________________________
I don't believe in taking right decisions;
I take decisions and make them right.
must be u only buddy...v r all happy here..TOUCHWOOD..
Did someone bring you here by force? lol
Oh well than! If you're nosey in Qatar it probably would be painful. I recommend he stop looking under women's niqab and their husbands will stop punching him in the face.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
no, my profile is calling you nosey...for looking.
Honestly though, Qatar........what good can come from being here, apart from money?
Olive his profile says he is nosey...lol probably thats why..lol
This reminds me of the old joke where the guys goes into the doctors and says "doc it hurts when I so this." and the doctor says "well stop doing that"
I don't know what you're doing to make Qatar painful, but stop doing that.
"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce
u faced???
Not for me...