Shop timings during Ramadan

On a separately-related note, I am enjoying my 6-hour workday immensely, but man it would sure be nice to be able to pop in for lunch or a coffee after work. Especially as I am done at 1.30 usually and I'm trying to adjust to Doha time. It makes it tougher when I have to go home, then I sit down and accidentally fall asleep.

ETA: It would also be lovely to not have to literally hide in the small tea people closet with 3 other staff members to drink a coffee... I'm sure the tea people are also tired of us 'invading their space'. :D

Damn! Yeah, me too. Sorry about that. I just got my car on Wednesday, so that was the first time I had gotten to venture over there.

Now, this last Sunday, I was in the Landmark, but only went to Mega Mart with a co-worker. From my casual glance into the mall, and we were there at 2.30 pm or something, it appears Landmark is also shut down, per usual pattern.

Now, I know that the little boutiques are going to be shut altogether during the day in malls right now. But what makes Villaggio unusual vs. City Center is that a few of the bigger shops are open for a few hours, from 10-3 or 3.30 (Virgin, Boots, etc.), and then shut for a few hours. Whereas my experience in City Center is that the only place open in the whole mall during the day is Carrefour.

So I don't know what's going on at Landmark, but I'm guessing it's taking the typical 'shut until sundown' approach.

Thanks, Namabiru - I wish I could have seen this yesterday! Drove to Virgin at Villagio to get some books and films - landed at 4.30 PM - and all closed up!

It's a long way to drive for nowt!

So you're aware, yesterday I went to the Villagio. The shops there, or the ones I saw between Virgin and the canal, are open from 10 until roughly 3 or 3.30. Then they are closed until 7.30. Carrefour is still open through this time.

On Friday, shops are not opening up (minus Carrefour) until 7.30 pm.

Or these are the hours I saw posted, anyway.

As Villagio can be a bit of a reach, just so people don't drive out there for nothing.

Yeah, I know. There's holes in virtually every law here, so it wouldn't make sense if one escaped under the radar. So it goes.

I will say, though, that I popped over to Carrefour today (I live across from City Centre) at around 3 pm, and it was so wonderful to be able to navigate the shop without the usual 57,000 people in it. So in that case I don't mind going out in the afternoon at all, if it means I can get around the store without having to do an old lady shuffle.

There are so many holes in that law...anyway I'll shut my mouth before I get condemned...>>goes back to her hole to sip some much needed wine :p

'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'

Hey, cheers for the document. It's quite helpful with the iftar prices as well. I've been told the buffets are quite nice, so might have to venture out and try one for the hell of it.

As far as why shops are closed in the afternoon... well, ste's answer is quite right. But another correct answer, I believe, is due to the Qatari law which dictates that the daytime working hours during Ramadan can only be up to 6, instead of 8. I know, the opening times don't really add up to this. But you figure the sales people probably get there beforehand, etc., so that may be how the times were chosen. Also, I'm thinking it's because it's the hottest time of the day, so people who are not drinking water or eating would run the risk of getting sick in the afternoon. So better to close up shop at 1 pm. Whereas the big supermarkets have a LOT of non-Muslim workers, so they can stay open to get money from those who run out of fags while on QL.

so that everyone can go home, have lunch, smoke some cigs, have a pint and logon to QL of course

only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun

Out of curiosity, can anyone explain why shops are closed from approx, 1.30pm to 8pm during Ramadan?

'Our freedom is but a light that breaks through from another world'

I've been around but usually logs in in the evening....my laptop's dead and internet access is blocked at the office.

How are you...we'll catch up sometimes in one of Xena's gig....

Usually, the malls are open from 8am - 10/11pm. carrefour is open from 8am till 12 midnight...

Hi, we just got to Doha 3 weeks ago, I have no idea when these stores open and close ( after Ramadan), can somebody help me out please..... Thanx

Hey Azi Have'nt seen or heard from u in ages ... where u been hiding ?!! :)

U better

Wow Azi, this is great! Thanks a lot!

I'll try to update this thread with the phone numbers as well. It'll be easier to call them up (just hope they answer in 3 rings) to confirm...

Thanks that was helpful. I was wondering what time the grocery stores opened and didn't want to head out only to find that it was closed. Thanks Azilana