What is left of the British Empire in Qatar?
By frenchieman •
I see the remnants of the Ottoman Empire in some of the remaining forts, but what about the British Empire?
Any sites or influence on Qatar and Qatari culture today that you see?
I see the remnants of the Ottoman Empire in some of the remaining forts, but what about the British Empire?
Any sites or influence on Qatar and Qatari culture today that you see?
exile lets not forget how many of the Emiri car selection are British..:)
Cabbage, All the Qataris in my office speak English, as English is the working Language, with a exception of few Official letters in Arabic everything else is communicated and adminstered in English.
Arein English may be the second most language spoken in Qatar not after Arabic but after Malayalam? :)
The three pin electrical socket is British and most of the standards used him from Finance to Construction are British Standards.
(nods) thought as much x
I will go out later and conduct a poll and get back to you love :-/
Shall I just say then - most of the locals I encounter speak very good English :-)
How many of them Cabbage?
Qataris do speak English - it is their second language.
Nothing is left. English is an international language and its spoken by the expats not Qataris.
Expatgeezer--they would have had to at some point as it existed through the protectorate period.
Britain was not a big influence when it was a protectorate, but as Olympics wrote, a much larger influence afterwards and indirectly (via other parts of the old Empire).
I suppose it all depends on how you interpret empire.
OK I might be wrong, But was it not the British who endorsed the current ruling family in Qatar?
Are you kidding? This place still IS still part of the Anglo Empire (now being run by the Americans rather than the Brits but still Anglo).
Favorite sport: English football/soccer. Huge effort to get the WC 2022 here.
Language: more people speak English than Arabic in Qatar.
Primary/secondary education: British curriculum (or versions of it) prevails and is most sought
Universities: colonies of American universities
Economy: petroleum products extracted by mostly American companies, distributed by mostly American companies and used to fuel Anglo Empire and other economies.
Professional class: lots of Brits and other Anglos managing everything from banks to education to infrastructure
Shopping: malls are American look-a-likes packed with shops that are all over Anglo world. Whole concept of mass shopping like this indoors is American.
Health: people getting obese just like in other parts of the Anglo Empire as they feast on burgers, chicken nuggets, fries and Coke.
Defense: Mostly-American made weapons and a big US military presence
Politics: Considered a close ally of Britain, US and other parts of the Anglo Empire.
Cars: The favorite Land Cruiser is made in Toyota's American factories.
Dress: Blue jeans (American) and business suits (English) prevail. A Gap in every mall.
I am not saying this is good or bad. It simply is, and personally have no problem with it.
The also left britexpat on QL :(
Was a British protectorate.
We did not colonise it. I suspect most of the influences - if there were any they have been altered to reflect Qatar ;-)
QDC.......used to be run by British companies before Qatar Airways took it over.....
Plus all the Brits that are still here...
The language, roundabouts, the sports they play.
The English language. Obviously they don't speak French here.