BF/GF in Qatar, soon...
By mushmushko •
Hello guys just want to ask what are the do's and dont's in Qatar? My BF and I will be there in a week or two. It's our first time to work abroad, and we're quite nervous about what will happen to us. Although we have talk about it, especially that we'll have no PDA's at all, we're still concern of how strict is the rules there? Is it true that all electronic devices will be check in the airport? And one thing more, are we allowed to bring bible? Please help, thank you... ^_^
Is this the kind of Thread Nomerci is trying to bring to the attention of the Moderators?
I dont see any harm with it?
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1867534#comment-1893344
Nic, the almighty. From belligerent to apologitic, what a charismatic personality. I am charmed, truly *fanning my face* :-)Cheers.
Mom_me,
yes mam you have terrorized me. you make so much sense and are so right, Doha has a much more vibrant culture than any other place on earth.
happy now, dear?
:)
With Mr. KnowAll around to explain what culture is all about, things become easy.
Only thing is that his knowledge of culture itself is limited to playing with the words.
Nic, juggling words and reframing your original post to give it a new dimension ? Boo.. did I scare you ?
And about my nose, it is not judgemental as yours and I hold it high. Cuppa finished. Back to work.
Nic, there is a culture here! My (mostly rich) Qatari friends live a double life! They have a job at QP, they are married and have kids. But in the evenings they go to their "churches" (guest houses). There is booze, hashish, and whores from Bahrain. It's just as it should be, but it's done separated from the families.
Mom_me - Nic needs a few days vacation in Koh Samui :)
Mom_me,
Ignorance is what you displayed in your above comment.
You obviously don’t know the difference between the elements that constitute a culture and the culture it self,
The first one, represent just the bricks. They don't become a wall (the culture) without a strong mortar (the soul and character of a place).
It’s not because it’s an Arabic country that this is a sterile place. Any place in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon (to name a few), have soul, have character and you can perceive their culture in every street corner, no matter how big or small the place is.
In Qatar go to the newly built "down town" area West Bay (as an example) or the Qattara and feel if there is a soul or character there. If in doubt go to, lets say again as an example, Marrakesh and see and feel the difference!
Got it now?
Maybe not, because you have a desperate need to brown nose, which may be understandable in same sad cases and for that you are forgiven ;)
=End of this discussion=
I found only Suhail Shaker and few others has made a point to a balance view or perceptions. No bashing no biases.
you can speak tagalog there...
Nic,
I am amazed at your ignorance. Most arabs have led a life of nomad. You can not find the arab 'soul' in the city. Their umbilical cords are attached to the deserts and sand dunes. Please, open your heart to the soulful arab music, arab poetry and mystic arab world. You can't render a place 'cultureless' if it does'nt fits your perception of how things should be. Plus the last few sentences about people coming from miserable and limited backgrounds, tsk tsk...... you have'nt been much around the world, have you.
You said ..................
"LincolnPirate,
What you meant is that this place has no soul.
It’s all sterile and artificial, but what else to expect from a city built in a desert basically started from scratch 10 years ago................"
For those who have been hurt because of me asking about my safety there, i'm sorry... this is my first time to work abroad, and really i'm quite nervous and excited at the same time... but i have nothing against Qatar. I'm just looking for answers to my questions, and also for me to be able to gain new friends in here. I've no idea that it meant the other way around with you. I just wish you could have known me first before you tell anything rude about me. But it's fine, sometimes we tend to look at things differently. Thank you for all your comments, i'm so much overwhelmed. To all my Kabayan, thanks for the help. ^_^
To All
Thank you for your comments, suggestions, advices, and also a little bit of negative vibes... As far as all your comments are, i think i can adapt to Qatar's culture... Thank you for your warm welcome. God bless!!! ^_^
Keep away from people who you do not share any values apart from work if you want to survive here.
Really??? LOL
h
Holier than thou are the expats in the Gulf who pretend more than what they really or do. Come over and you will not any difference with Manila apart from in Ramadan when things really change.
Lucky Luciano There is no problem for Kabayan living together! Half of the kabayans here are living togther even when they are not officially married. They just act and behave like they are married!
Only problem is when a Kabayan is living with a non Kabayan ..lol..:)
Suhail, I did not complain. I merely listed some "everythings". I like the "nothings" here, actually, because I can fill them with my preferences!
You will be jailed and deported if you get pregnant here :)
You can't live together according to law, No showing Public Affection...
You can roam around, no one stops from any Religious Activities, like going to Church...
Welcome to Qatar, Enjoy the Heat, Speeding Land Cruisers
LincolnPirate,
What you meant is that this place has no soul.
It’s all sterile and artificial, but what else to expect from a city built in a desert basically started from scratch 10 years ago.
Boulevard Saint-Germain and all that soul that can be felt there will never be felt here. Because of the summer month weather (not suitable for humans), lack of historical sites (because of the first reason), the culture as it stands still today (although a bit confused) wouldn’t allow such development, even if the climate permitted which obviously does not.
Everything here is copied from something and somewhere else (Venice, Rome, Athens, New York, etc…) but the original soul fails to be replicated. All we see are sterile facades with no culture no added in the expected soul.
Thus the artificial and dull feeling everybody has, went coming from a conventional country.
On the other hand if you come from a miserable and somehow limited background, the artificial illusion you perceive here will satisfy you.
you are makin them piss in their pants stop scaring them let them land here first.
a little boring here.. at least its not strict like saudi
yea am openning a bar will ask you to come and do the honor and cut the ribbon all you need to do is arange for some belly dancers from i prefer Turkish
DaRuDe _ Any Bar related activities tonight :)
during the PDOS, everything was tackled during the seminar (as far as what you are asking here). It's just a matter of abiding or following what was taught! If you follow, no worries. If you want to circumvent a little, then that's you choice (and risk). Hope for a safe travel and welcome to Qatar (if ever).
was missing you the other day and asking me about you.
You can bring bible but make sure to cover it with something and put it on your check- in luggage not on your hand carry bag.
Da, Lucky is only in two kind of threads, One is the Filexpat related thread and the second is Match fixing!
HI po. you can bring bible, no problem. :)
you skinny bamboo where are you
Milky - She better keep her B/F away from QUBE :)
just follow it. As for the Bible, usually they say as much as possible, don't bring or place it in your check-in baggage. Precautions not to offend the local cultures are taught in the seminar. So be aware. You will see the reality once you're here. Qatar is in between the strictness of Saudi and the freewillingness of Dubai! But it's good here (of course except the current weather).
Lucky No Abu Sayyaf but plenty of Ampatuans roaming the streets whom are even more deadlier than the Abu Sayyaf..:)
LP,
When I lived in the west for over 15 years, I accepted the way of life there. Did not complain. I made a choice to live there and accepted the full package. I did not complain about the difference in cultural values, about the lack of arabic restaurants(lol),...
Accept the package Qatar offers: High tax free salary, safety, boring social life, etc.
Otherwise leave or stop complaining.
YOU CANNOT LIVE TOGETHER AS PER LAW..GER MARRIED FIRST IN YOUR COUNTRY SO THAT YOU LIVE HAPPILY....
Oh another thing. there is no Anghles city for you B/F to play fool here
YOU ARE NOT ALLOW TO STAY TOGETHER OR YOU CAN DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK...IF THE BALADIYA CATCH YOU GUYS...YOU ARE IN DEEP SHIT....
you are coming from Philippines asking for safety here. FYI no Abu Sayyaff here. No kidnappers here like in your country
..."there is everything here..."
You must be kidding. Where are the street cafes like the Boulevard St. Germaine with girls passing by? Where are the bars at every street corner where you can meet your friends after work? Where is the opera house? Where are the open-air rock concerts? - Just a few.
qatar is really a nice place to be....... specially these days around asia.... most suitable one along with dubae..... show off of affection shud be avoided remaining is ok... there is everything here, parties, clubs, bars, beaches etc.. just everything....... so chill around and have a safe trip here... agree with osama and bar....... stay safe.....and enjoy
Hislam, most of the world is not fully aware of how it is in Qatar, as foreign workers and visitors to your country we are just being careful, it's like this , better be safe than sorry, so take it easy.. she meant no harm i'm sure..
B/F ???
G/F ???
Darude: hehehe, really? thanks... ^_^
Nic, awww... i'll keep that in mind. Well, thanks for the info. God bless ^_^
osamabawab, Suhail Shaker and hislam thank you for all your comments. thank you... ^_^
How do you even imagine that anybody anywhere is entitled to prevent you from having your bible???
Whom do you think we are???!!!!
However, for the the B/F G/F thing you're welcomed to think of us as retarders if you like and I hope we keep it as it is and resist "GLOBALIZATION" as much as we can.
I usually expect such ignorance from other parts of the world, but not the Philippines. With all the Filipino expats, one would expect that such perceptions will change.
Qatar is one of the safest places in the world. I can not think of a safer place.
All religions are respected here. But remember as one post mentioned earlier, you are a GUEST here. Respect the laws and the customs. Just you would respect the laws in your own country or any other country you visit.
Welcome to Qatar
Nic is right, here in qatar there is freedom, and there is a value for ppl, and there is a respect for each person religion, and there are rules which will guarantee your rights. the only problem here is that for 3-4 month (May to Sept) the weather is hot and the humidity is high but you won't feel it coz A/Cs are everywhere.
wish you a happy coming and welcome to qatar :-)
mushmushko
The speaker in your PDOS does NOT know what he is talking about.
No one has ever been stopped at the airport for having a bible.
I have one here, as many other people do. There is even a church here. If you are religious, you can attend mass.
That speaker should be responsible for providing misleading information. Please tell him to update himself and to make sure he provides truthful information for the next audience.
you guys come and i will teach you all.
my fees will be decided later.
bars_747, hi... thanks yup i'll do that. thanks ^_^
hi nic, yes we'll have different accommodation there... hehe.. really? we can bring bible? in our PDOS yesterday, our speaker told we can't bring one... it is strict in the qatar airport? thanks...
Remember that you are a guest in their country, respect their religion as well as practices...
Reasonforsmile, thanks for the answer, yeah... maybe i'm a little bit excited too hehe.. how long you'd been there? i'm quite nervous especially that my family thinks that it is unsafe there. But hopefully, we'll manage to cope up with our new environment... ^_^
By law, you cannot live together.
Yes, you can bring a Bible.
This is a country with high quality life and very caring government.But yes rules are rules here too.And wait they churches too over here.I think you are thinking like you are entering in Saudia sort of country.But here life is much cool.Dont worry be happy.Just try to wear decent clothing and no public display of affection and rest is fine here.As I think..