Hi,

First I want to say, for the most part Qatar is a very nice place for someone to visit and for the most part people are kind and respectful. BUT I must make sure you understand that there are many men here who will assume that because you are American you are loose and easy. Believe me, I have had offers from men of telephone numbers and hotel rooms (none of which I accepted!) even while I was pregnant and/or carrying around small children! Some men here do not have any real experience with American women, therefore assume that we all act like the women in the movies (i.e. jump into bed within the first couple hours).

I suggest that even if you think you know this man very well, a mere invitation into your hotel room (even if "only" for a movie) will be assumed to be much, much more. I recommend that you only meet him in public, even better, with those mutual friends you have. If he is in public, you can get to know him and he will be sure to treat you appropriately. It is fine to go out in public with a man here so I recommend you keep it as public as possible. In public he will be respectful, in private there is no guarantee. In general, Muslim women are out of reach for Muslim men before marriage, so American women are seen as an easy alternative in the interim.

Yes, I am generalizing. BUT, since you do not know this part of the world from personal experience you MUST be extremely careful. Dating in Doha is NOTHING like dating in the US.