One for the Qataris......
So, I spent the day alone yesterday, and decided that I needed some retail therapy....
Now firstly, for me that is very unusual, as I don't really like to shop (*gasp* - a chick that doesn't like to shop, but it's true, or maybe the bug hasn't bitten yet.... in all my 32years, would have thought it would have by now...) anyway, off to the shops I went, as I have no winter clothes here except the leather jacket I had on when I left SA and one jersey, and I am rather bored with both now.....
One of my favourite pastimes in shopping centers(cause I don't shop), is people watching.... and that I could do to my hearts content.... I arrived at City Center at 1pm.... Nothing was open, so i had about 2hours to kill....
What did I observe?.... lots of thobes, walking around the center, alone, without women.... Now this is nothing unusual, since men outnumber women here by 4 to 1, but what was odd, was the fact that they paid absolutely no attention to me..... and then, it struck me.... The Qatari's are quiet innocent of the one thing Arab men get nailed for everytime, harrassement of women....
Its not them..... its all the other nationalities that cause all the mayhem.... yes, they might be guilty of very bad driving, and also of having superiority issues, but in my opinion they are not the ones guilty of making women feel so uncomfortable, that we feel the need to dress in Abhaya..... Also, I have been out with three Qatari's, and all three of them were absolute gentleman....
The second thing I wanted to talk about, was something I witnessed about a week ago....
I was standing in a queue at the Karwa line outside City Center.... there were many people, so the line had started snaking round and up the stairs..... Two yound Qatari boys arrived and I don't think they realised that the queue went up the stairs and proceeded to stand behind the couple behind me.... What happened next made me embarrassed to be an expat... An obnoxious 6ft redhaired idiot in his 50's, looking like a hippy with his ponytail and bangles, very rudely told them to get to the back of the queue or he would slit their throats... this along with the motion of running his hand over his thoat made me feel so bad for these young men, as they really didn't realise what they had done..... He then carried on with a scene for quite a while as the queue moved forward.... swearing at,and insulting them.....
I really hate scenes like that, and I was sure this guy had a few drinks in him, so no one said anything, but the tension could be felt by everyone.... really not pleasant....
Now if this kind of thing happens to Qataris all the time, no wonder they have such issues with visitors in there country.....
Anyhow, just thought I would relay some of my observations, as we only ever seem to get negative Qatari issues on the site....
Has anyone else witnessed scenes like this?
Italian guys are yummy
Italian men (and mediterranean in general) stare. A lot. Specially at blond american, german, english, deutch, sweedish etc visitors. That's because italian women are particularly hard to pull, so they go a little crazy with the turists as they wrongly believe that they are an easier target.
It happens to the spanish men as well, they always go a little too exited with their tourists.
But they are harmless...
Italian men (and mediterranean in general) stare. A lot. Specially at blond american, german, english, deutch, sweedish etc visitors. That's because italian women are particularly hard to pull, so they go a little crazy with the turists as they wrongly believe that they are an easier target.
It happens to the spanish men as well, they always go a little too exited with their tourists.
But they are harmless...
We spent our new years eve and day in a qatari farm. He invited us and few others family. We sat in a tent ... had a BBQ, plenty of booze around. His mates also came around... some drink some don't. But they are really friendly bunch.
Hello everybody and Happy New Year. Just to set the record straight, I was not being sarcastic when I wished bbk Eid Mubarek and Happy New Year. I dig bbk and hope he continues posting.
Amy....totally agree.
Bunnyhop...wow! That reminds me, one time my husband and I were driving somewhere and we saw a woman in a sheila and abaya, she had Qatari men following her and trying to get her number. Same situation. I guess no matter what, it's bound to happen.
I've definitely met some extremely polite qatari men...but I've also been stared at by them and received a great deal of unwanted attention from them.
It's true that wearing an abaya or just dressing conservatively will reduce the harassment, but it certainly doesn't eliminate it.
Sometimes I get frustrated and feel like all the responsibility is pinned on the women and people aren't holding men responsible for their own actions. No matter what a woman is wearing, no man has the right to make her feel uncomfortable.
OK ex pats girls try this... from time to time I like to wear an abaya, esp when I go to local functions as the only expat etc...its also comfortable and nice and whilst I dont wear the face veil thing I do wear the shaila. Try wearing this and driving... qatari men follow you in your car! I once was driving at night and had 4 white landcruisers following me for an hour. It was hilartious but also a bit strange when they pull up next to you at lights and point to their phones, wanting to send bluetooth messages. They are harmless but dont be fooled, covering up only makes you even more interesting - not less.
Trust me, Arab men do stare...and it is in a totally different way than other cultures most of the time. I'm not saying it's a "hey sexy, how you doin" stare. I think it is a "hey shes different" stare. As in, she is not covered. I have been in the States, Europe, the Middle East and many other places. It's the worst here and it is mostly the non arabs to be honest. The only place that had it as bad was Italy.
NOt just Arabs everyone has that. Staring is there among Europeans, Americans and Asians. So please stop stereotyping just Arabs. IF arabs stare because the majority of women are covered then why do the Europeans and Americans stare? Is it because the women are uncovered??
Arabs in general have a staring thing....because the majority of women are covered up. The difference between Arabs and Pakistanis, etc. is that the Arabs back off when they are told to or get the idea that you don't appreciate the stares.
Stereotyping exists for a reason. From majorities.
Xena was just expressing an opinion which she has clearly pointed out. No need to get on someone's case for that reason.
Racism/bigotry sucks.
Stop with the holier than thou attitude....
In every section of expats in Qatar, there will be people like I have described, but my point was that I had noticed that the Qataris, IN MY OPINION were not the guilty ones in this instance.....What I was trying to point out was something positive about the natives of this land, as all most people do is diss them.....and I am NOT being racist....
I love it when someone makes a statement and everyone else uses the race card.... I am from one of the most demorcratic countries on earth and racism does not fit into my world....
Don't put words in my mouth.....
X
I disagree with xena, Ive seen some pretty starey qataris too and I have also met indian/pakis who are some of the coolest people around.
It all depends on the person not thier nationality.
Why are we generalizing?
Am I the only one spared of the Racist Bug that has been biting the best of the members of QL?
Qataris are not an observable herd complete with their innate characteristics...
Neither are Arab men (I happen to be one and I am neither sexist, chauvenist, perverted or whatever all of you make my ilk out to be)
We are all diverse people of diverse backgrounds with diverse characteristics... your efforts are laudible Xena, but potentially harmful as well.
Don't let one man's dream become another's nightmare
me think that English type of sense of humour. Either Richard is an english, or he been living in the UK farrrr toooo long.
Sorry,but bad bad bad evil Richard was being sarcastic. :S
OI Richard, stop being sarcastic to BBK or else! You learn many things from him, I'm thinking now about covering my ears, maybe my gorgerous ears get me into trouble with men (expat men)
Pathole Research
People think that Qatar has more males than females. They should know that Qatar has many expatriate males who are working here.
I think we have high population of Qatari women compared to Qatari men.
lilipink, I was confused. Maybe he was not sarcastic.
God bless you, Xena. You're great.
http://ilovesarah.us - freelance design
BBK - "Qatari men are less than Qatari women. However, Qatari women are more than Qatari men."
Hmmm..... now what's that supposed to mean?
I think richard was being sarcastic!.lili.
Hi richard123,
Thank you for nice words.
The women could also avoid looking at men.
Coed places could be avoided sometimes. Other times they are necessary.
The men & the women could have faithful & honsest hearts.
Good solution on the covering up issues. Don't know why mo one has thought of that before. It seems so simple when you think about it.
Another innovative idea is to have no coed areas at all.
Eid Mubarek my friend and best wishes for 2007.
Dear all,
Sorry to hear that. Many women dislike to be watched by men. Many men tease women. Men should respect women.
What to do to reduce unwanted attention? One solution is that we could cover our (legs, arms, neck, hair, ears, face)& avoid wearing tight clothes when being in co-ed places only.
Qatar has many expatriate men on its land. Qatari men are less than Qatari women. However, Qatari women are more than Qatari men.
No, Qataris are gentlemen. I only once got approached by one...and he was sooooo charming! He backed off with a smile when I declined. Charmers they are. I also find them polite and with really good manners...Even when driving, you are more likely to be given way by a qatari than by any other arabs or subcontinent expats.
As for queuing...well they need to learn the art of standing on a line, quite simple really! I get really annoyed when a qatari or expat pushes their way in front of a counter...is like wtf...but no need to get agressive, if you tell them politely where the queu ends they will....well...they will ignore you sometimes...but at least you tried!
You right, some expats are just so rude.
People always stare normally like in the traffic light. It is so annoying ... usually when i am in the car with my husband and catch them stare at me ... i made a gesture like i am going to poke their eye out :-). They normally embarrased with that.
And my husband just laughing his head off.
Xena...i agree, it is the other nationalities that stare like ive got a booger the size of a house on my face. They even do it with my husband next to me. How he keeps his cool, i dont know. Also, what a jackass to say such a thing to those boys. I hate situations like that because i cant keep my mouth shut. It gets me in trouble. Im glad you didnt say anything since the guy was totally out of his mind!
It's Deanne :)