1) There are many excellent Qataris - but it's the impolite ones, especially the bad drivers who get all the press. I have had many excellent encounters with citizens.
2) Qatar is a very safe place, if you have to move to the Middle East, this is an excellent choice. Its safe, quiet and open to people of many cultures and faiths. Like any country, you have to be careful where you go, but even then it's not too bad.
As a woman, as long as you cover your shoulders, elbows and knees, you should be okay. Dress conservatively and you'll do fine. As a guy, i've had non-Qataris stare at me if I have my knees exposed, but that's their problem.
There are areas of town that are full of single men, you may wish to avoid them. The guys will stare at you openly, but they won't approach you or be inappropriate. They do that at home to!
3). Culture shock - the bureaucracy can be a nightmare to negotiate. Anything official has to have a stamp on it, they don't care what the document says, but if it's got a stamp it must be true! However, it's gotten a lot better in the past several years.
Biggest culture shock for me was realizing that I needed to have my sponsors approval to leave the country. But as long as you have a good employer, you should be fine.
We love it here, the lifestyle is great, it's close to wonderful travel opportunities and it's safe to live here.
1) There are many excellent Qataris - but it's the impolite ones, especially the bad drivers who get all the press. I have had many excellent encounters with citizens.
2) Qatar is a very safe place, if you have to move to the Middle East, this is an excellent choice. Its safe, quiet and open to people of many cultures and faiths. Like any country, you have to be careful where you go, but even then it's not too bad.
As a woman, as long as you cover your shoulders, elbows and knees, you should be okay. Dress conservatively and you'll do fine. As a guy, i've had non-Qataris stare at me if I have my knees exposed, but that's their problem.
There are areas of town that are full of single men, you may wish to avoid them. The guys will stare at you openly, but they won't approach you or be inappropriate. They do that at home to!
3). Culture shock - the bureaucracy can be a nightmare to negotiate. Anything official has to have a stamp on it, they don't care what the document says, but if it's got a stamp it must be true! However, it's gotten a lot better in the past several years.
Biggest culture shock for me was realizing that I needed to have my sponsors approval to leave the country. But as long as you have a good employer, you should be fine.
We love it here, the lifestyle is great, it's close to wonderful travel opportunities and it's safe to live here.