Opinions of women living in Qatar

When I visit Dubai. Though it is rare and I do not have friends there. Tend to have a drink at night. Most of the times there, when I start a chat with a lady next to me, discover that she is in business :(

Heard stories from friends who are married to western ladies and were living there, that their wives had horrible time going out shopping or relaxing at a coffee shop.

Let aside the horrible traffic there. I find it worse than here.

You are right about the varieties there but I have noticed that all malls are almost the same. Only names and architectural differences.

Just MHO and some observations.

I will not say that I hate Doha, but I really dislike the lifestyle here. You see, I'm the kind of person who likes to walk to places, but I am sick of strolling up and down the same damn mall every second day, I enjoy dinner and snacks al fresco in busy street terraces, I enjoy beaches that you can actually call beaches. I like the mediterranean way of life and Doha is pretty much the opposite. AD and Dubai would suit me better.

However, if you are the kind of woman who would rather opt for a cozy and relaxed lifestyle, if your hobbies are mainly indoors and if they pay your husband good money, then Qatar is for you.

I honor your point of view and recommending Dubai rather than Doha. For me, it is the opposite. Although am a male who crossed the 40 barrier long time ago and still enjoying it, yet I still find it better and more relaxing living in Doha.

Also, my point of view and some observations, it is not comfortable for a western lady living in Dubai. There she is looked at as a sex object and it is difficult to distinguish a decent lady from a "business" lady. In Dubai, when a lady walks into a pub/night club alone or with female friends. SHe will be the target of all types of "indecent proposals".

You haven't met your Red_Pope yet. When that happens I'll invite you for a Soda...

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

Egomania goes with the territory of decoding your own genome.

I know about the curfew deal and the nasty consequences of violating it. Such as deportation and termination from the country.

How does it feel to live in a convent, not so Nun's?

The Red Pope of Qatar Living

Egomania goes with the territory of decoding your own genome.

Off to bed now, though - Scarlett is putting me through my paces tomorrow morning and I can't turn up blootered! :D

Hope to see you again sooooooooon. niters x

how's you?

but to 'keek on entering into wrongs hand' doesn't sound like the right way to go about winning friends lol

I'm sorry. I don't know what you meant to say, but it did make me laugh.

Dear Mila,

I read about your stay in Qatar and i want you to assist me in entering Qatar, am a footballer of 20years old i play in division 1 club here in Ivory coast.

I have tried all my best in entering Qatar but intead i keek on entering into wrongs hand, I have been duped almost 3 time my all this african Agents. Please, i will be very happy if you can help me to get a visa or help me to get a manager. Please, reply me in My private Email for your help ( [email protected]). Am looking forward to see your reply in my reply in my box.

Thanks,

Boye.

I met everyone I know in Doha through this forum (well I did meet a couple of other people from joining an aerobics class).

I don't work and don't have children so qatarliving's Social Group had me on a Dhow trip with a load of strangers within 2 weeks of arriving here. I don't think I've looked back since!

There's a social life here if you want one and possibly easier as you are a couple and yer man will meet people through work also.

He is unsure about accepting the job cos he wantsme to be happy living there. Think I really should be asking what is like to live there if you dont have a job. Are there things to keep you occupied and is it easy to find work if you dont have a career. This will be our first time living away from England so we are obviously a bit unsure.

just wondered what you hub is unsure about. "My husband has been offered a job in Doha and he is unsure if he should accept".

The thread you have started is asking for the female opinion of what it is like here.

Not quite sure who is the worried one here! :D

still not sure if it will be your and your hub's first time in the Middle East, or just in Qatar? Your profile says you are around 50 years old and a QS, so I'm assuming you didn't just decide to opt for Doha out of the blue!

do you like in doha its self and what do you do over there

how long have you been over there and what you do for fun and a good laugh

heh. thats right. u shud be married to come here:) or have big family or relations here.

because this is not my home ;-(

Cheers!

***

I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell - you see, I have friends in both places. M. Twain

***

Hi Sandra

Is this your husbands first posting abroad? It will take a while to get used to living here, but it is not a bad place to live. Do you have small children or are you planning to work? Working is a great way to meet people.There are a few groups you can join QL has a social group and there is a ladies coffee morning every other Tuesday. You do have to make the effort to get out and about as they say life is what you make of it. Good luck.

Qatar isnt that bad.It is just different to Dubai,but when you found some friends here to go out with them and your hubby is also here i think there is no problem for you to give it a try.

good luck.

:-D

*Create your own destiny,fighting against your dark sides,raise your

spirituality.Every day is a new day.A new life.

Keep the faith!*

But why is Qatar BAD that is what I want to find out .........what are the differences between Qatar and Dubai apart from Dubai being more lively and busy. xx

but qatar is bad:)

Well Qatar isn't THAT bad.

I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong :P - Garfield

It depends actually on how you will define your “lifestyle”. I’d been here in Qatar for over 5 years now, aside from my family, I’d met few good and trusted friends where I can have fun with like going to the desert, beaches, clubbing, house parties, dinner, coffees, shopping, billiards, ice skating, bowling, concerts, sports clubs, spas and simply just to hang around with. I wouldn’t say it’s a total haven but Qatar is not that bad.

I do those activities alternately once a month, except going out for hanging out in coffee shops. I’m quite lucky to have an annual vacation to get away from some frustrations and disappointments I sometimes feel from being here.

Most of my friends from Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, they are voting Abu Dhabi is the best place among GCC Countries.

Cheers!

***

I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell - you see, I have friends in both places. M. Twain

***

LOL Alexa, I was tempted to say that but then again I decided to give Qatar some credit.

I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong :P - Garfield

I always say Qatar is what u make of it, if u have the right friends to hang out with then it's not so bad. Over here, it's more about the people ur with than the place ur at cause there aren't much places to go, but hopefully it's getting better.

Unlike Dubai or Abu Dhabi, u will get more stares cause there aren't as much expats and women. Plus there aren't as much fun activities, so if u like the crazy metropolitan city atmosphere then Qatar isn't ur best choice.

I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong :P - Garfield

is this going to be your husband's first assignment abroad? Maybe he's the nervous one! :D

TCOM.........we have been put in our place once again......rightly so..have a nice day mate...........Im off to lick my wounds.......in some dark corner

Sorry Xena............just having some fun and showing Sandy that we are a happy fun loving serious / not so serious people ........but take your point LOL

and sorry for the hijacking, Sandy...

The people on QL are some of the best around and have certainly helped some of us settle in quite nicely, both emotionally and physically. If you need something they don't hesitate to help if they know the answer.

Again..hope to give you a hearty welcome if you make it here, but understand if its not your cup of tea...

Lets answer Sandy's questions and keep our opinions for a new thread...

Sandy, as Scarlett has said, it depends on you and your outlook. When you go to any country, you will have some adjustment.

I am under company sponsorship, so my experiences are slightly differente when it comes to my movement out of Doha, because our boss thinks its a privilage to get an exit visa. However, you would be under hubby's sponsorship, so you can pretty much come and go as you please, which is great, cause if you get bored with Doha, you can head off anywhere in the world to make life more interesting again.

I firmly believe that you have to make your own happiness. So, when you get here, join our social group.. you will get to meet some wonderful people, join some fun activities, and in the end, you will have friends that you can call if you are bored and want to get together for coffee/dinner/whatever....

You have to make a life for yourself... if you don't, you will become very depressed and will hate it here, because nothing comes to you, you have to go to it.... so to speak...

It looks like Owen couldnt find any arguements...........that makes me happy

Actually we taste better with Cream and strawberry Jam........ooops...showing my kinky side again.........sorry, lost the thread then for a sec.

but that's cause i have two sons...um, yeah..that's it...sounds reasonable to me...

i am noting the plural men.......... lol

I am running bye catch u all later... lol

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here

Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

hmm let's hear the old poem...How do I loathe thee...oops love thee..let me count the ways...

Actually men are great...toasted, roasted or fried...they get a little soggy when sauteed tho...

and yes, I am kidding..i like men...

Hi Owen.............ok lets have your reasons for disagreeing!!

Scar.....the cans open already I think

lol we have opened a haystack brb when i reach home

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here

Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

"lose it" at least once when you first get here...it can be a bit overwhelming at times..Poor hubby thought I had lost my peapicking brains the last day of the first week I was here. Just up and boo hooed for couple of hours...got it out of my system and off I went...about my happy little way...of course now QL has me to deal with...

Scar............I noe but you know I coudnt resist it, especially as it was TC that said it.........cant I have a bit of fun?

Men ingredient for being happy (to women)? is this true? i beg to disagree...;/

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

i can hear the can opener as you typed...

TC............ok Im going to do this, even though my better sense tells me not to.....whats your definition of a GOOD MAN

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting observation

but they did not get a good man initially thats why what if they had got a good man

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here

Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

and yes, they are..so shall us ladies start staring back??? I will withhold the urge to make mooing sounds tho...as its not entirely ladylike..

TCOM.............you are going somewhere you dont want to go.........if you walk into a minefield expect to get blown up mate.......it usually happens.

TC.........be careful, as for a basic ingredient, well that dep[ends how the lady looks at it....Ive meet lots of women who are damn happy and dont need a man around

eyes are there to admire beauty .. ,......

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here

Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

even after everything said and done dont our opinion count ... are we not counted as one of the basic ingredient in them being happy

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here

Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

Just wondered if this will be the first time your husband has worked in the Middle East?

I'm a fairly self-contained person (for self-contained read glued to the internet lol) BUT having found qatarliving I also found a community and some good friends to meet up with in reality. Doha is same as anywhere if you have friends to giggle with and share life with. It could probably be a lonely place if you aren't outgoing and expect life to come to you. But then, so can anywhere on this EARTH.

Thanks Scarlett!

[img_assist|nid=48103|title=**** ****|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=98|height=98]

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

Albert Camus

just in a different way...

Its the basic men are from mars and women are from venus stuff

TCOM...........you should now better...women have a different way of looking at what makes them happy and what they need to feel happy and enjoy themselves............we men.........well we see things differently sometimes

are always busy looking at women..(just kidding hon!!)

either that or i'm pretty simple..lol I think I'll take positive attitude!! Actually, I'm easily entertained..and don't believe in getting bored because there's ALWAYS something to do..might not be what you had in mind tho...but looking at the stars on a clear night, going out with friends for coffee and laughing until you get silly(ok doesn't take long..) simple pleasures..

I enjoy your sense of humor BC...you're a bit off the wall... ;)

why asking only the ladies?

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here

Than a whole truck load when I'm gone

you have a positive outlook in life, that's why you're happy girl!

[img_assist|nid=48103|title=**** ****|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=98|height=98]

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

Albert Camus

I wouldn't say I enjoy living in Doha, but right now I don't hate it either, let's say I'm ok with it, because I know it's only a few more months.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.freewebs.com/qatarpets/

I am here because my husband. He is my sponsor. I have work but I dont change my sponsorship. I can leave the company anytime I want and leave the country anytime I want. I have friends around keep me busy. I have solon to pampered my self. I go to nice restaurant when I miss home, I went to clubs when I want dancing. I can find all I need here in Doha.

Dubai is nice and bigger City then Doha. Sure the Malls there got more to offer but so much traffic just to go one place to another.

Doha is better in my opinion for living. Dubai only for shopping.

its quiet, but you can find things to do if you really want to. Now..being happy will depend on a lot of things, to be honest. Are you single..do you have a very active night life...etc...

I don't have a curfew..I think that might depend upon what job you have and the requirements. Active night life..there is one but its limited. I see you are from the UK..will be honest with you and say its nothing like the pub scene back there. Clubs and pubs are located ONLY in hotels. Easy to get around if you drive..but you have to be aggressive in your driving manner and defensive...;)

I just like it here, for many many reasons...but you DO need to look at all the perspectives before coming here. ONE main one is that the riyal is pegged to the dollar..NOT the English Pound...

I'm not enjoying my stay here coz we have curfew, we have to work,work and work.That's why we are so sad and bored..I'd like to go to Dubai.

[img_assist|nid=48103|title=**** ****|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=98|height=98]

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

Albert Camus

I like Doha better then Dubai, because is more quiet city and I got everything I need here. I have wonderful life back home, I have my family, friends and places to hangout/enjoy. But once I settled here, all changed but good changed. It just different and I somehow can appreciated the Differences.