Yes pretty much what brit said... Alot of expats over here (from the western countries) do go out of their way not mix with local culture. Sorry but it is true. I know that alot of you here are itching to type "but i don't, i mix with anyone" but people on QL tend to be a slight exception, because you need to be reasonably open minded to get on with people in QL.
What i am on about is the ones who Barracade themselves in a compound, go as fast as they can to Carrefour in their big SUV of which they have 5 year loan, and then race back to their compound full of expats. (little britan village, small town america compound etc.)
(Warning this could turn into an essay)
I'm in HR, and most common question i get from westerners before moving over here is "Can i find a comunity of people from my country". Fair enough you say, fair enough i say, they are coming to a strange country, and would like to meet people who can relate to their experience, that's fine, smart even. But after they are here for 3 months or so, you ask them how they find Qatar. "oh i like it, it's a very nice compound, and everyone in it is really nice to me, i don't really need to leave that often. I went to inland sea the other day with a bunch of my neighbours" etc, you get the idea.
Afterwhich it doesn't take long for the Snob Factor to set in. Looking down their noses at locals, indians, filipinos etc. They put themselves onto this pedestal of Elitism and never step off of it. A hell of alot of westerners run this course their entire time here. Go back home to their drafty 3 bedroom bungalow and tell their old neighbours of how the middle east is. The harsh times they have suffering without pork and an alchohol licence whilst on the flip side bragging about their monster 4 bedroom villa in a compound full of people from essex or wherever.
Yes the mixture of cultures in Qatar is huge. Yes some do mix company with others and learn a hell of alot about the world, not just the middle east. It is sad and with a heavy heart though when i think of most of the people that just stay in the surroundings of company they understand and never intermingle. This goes for their kids too, they shield them from local culture, granted they get some through the schools, but not much in schools like DES where you must have a british passport to enter. The educational opportunities that these kids are getting is phenominal. Sadly wasted by the road with examples of ignorance by the parents.
well that's what i think. Off topic as it might be.
Don't let that put you off returning Triumphantly though Mike, Doha is still a great place. It is what you make of it, like anywhere.
Sorry about the Delay.
Yes pretty much what brit said... Alot of expats over here (from the western countries) do go out of their way not mix with local culture. Sorry but it is true. I know that alot of you here are itching to type "but i don't, i mix with anyone" but people on QL tend to be a slight exception, because you need to be reasonably open minded to get on with people in QL.
What i am on about is the ones who Barracade themselves in a compound, go as fast as they can to Carrefour in their big SUV of which they have 5 year loan, and then race back to their compound full of expats. (little britan village, small town america compound etc.)
(Warning this could turn into an essay)
I'm in HR, and most common question i get from westerners before moving over here is "Can i find a comunity of people from my country". Fair enough you say, fair enough i say, they are coming to a strange country, and would like to meet people who can relate to their experience, that's fine, smart even. But after they are here for 3 months or so, you ask them how they find Qatar. "oh i like it, it's a very nice compound, and everyone in it is really nice to me, i don't really need to leave that often. I went to inland sea the other day with a bunch of my neighbours" etc, you get the idea.
Afterwhich it doesn't take long for the Snob Factor to set in. Looking down their noses at locals, indians, filipinos etc. They put themselves onto this pedestal of Elitism and never step off of it. A hell of alot of westerners run this course their entire time here. Go back home to their drafty 3 bedroom bungalow and tell their old neighbours of how the middle east is. The harsh times they have suffering without pork and an alchohol licence whilst on the flip side bragging about their monster 4 bedroom villa in a compound full of people from essex or wherever.
Yes the mixture of cultures in Qatar is huge. Yes some do mix company with others and learn a hell of alot about the world, not just the middle east. It is sad and with a heavy heart though when i think of most of the people that just stay in the surroundings of company they understand and never intermingle. This goes for their kids too, they shield them from local culture, granted they get some through the schools, but not much in schools like DES where you must have a british passport to enter. The educational opportunities that these kids are getting is phenominal. Sadly wasted by the road with examples of ignorance by the parents.
well that's what i think. Off topic as it might be.
Don't let that put you off returning Triumphantly though Mike, Doha is still a great place. It is what you make of it, like anywhere.