50 tips about Qatar

If you are coming to Qatar, here’s an A to Z of things that might make your visit or future temporary home a little easier to navigate. They are my 50 tips about Qatar.

I share these tips, insights, titbits or things about Qatar as I near my two-year Qatarversary and for what is my 50^th blog post.

Living in Qatar in the Middle East is a world away from my home in South Africa and the United Kingdom where I spent my early years.

The learning may have been steep, but the outcomes mean my life has been enriched.

So here are the first 25 snippets (because I know 50 are too many for one quick read!) If you do want to read more, there are links to previous posts on the related topic.

1. Al Thani

If you live in Qatar, you’ll see this name everywhere since it is the surname of the present ruler, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Al Thanis have been the dominant ruling family for about 200 years.

2. Alcohol

As a Muslim country, alcohol is not freely available, and only consumed in international hotels and restaurants with a special licence. Individuals can secure an annual private licence after much red tape to purchase alcohol. There are only two places to do this. You need to book an appointment and have a healthy bank balance to afford your favourite tipple.

3. Affection

Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Qatar. 

4. Arabic

Speaking Arabic is an added advantage, but English is spoken throughout Qatar, and especially in Doha.

Arabic classes are readily available.

5. Architecture

From the swish and spectacular skyscrapers of downtown Doha to the Arabic inspired buildings of the Mina District in the new old Doha Port, there is plenty on which to feast the eye when it comes to architecture.

6. Art

Qatar’s art scene is a dream. Be it public art so liberally shared on the Doha streets or in desert landscapes; or the many programmes in place to nurture new local talent along with exhibitions by visiting international artists, art is embedded into the fabric of everyday life in Qatar.

7. Bureaucracy

Official rules and processes – or what we call red tape – are part and parcel of life in Qatar.  There are many weird and wonderful things about Qatar.

8. Camels

As cattle are to South Africa, so camels are to the Middle East. They take pride of place from an economic, culture and heritage perspective. Oh, and throw in tourism and sport too, as we learnt during our day at the camel races.  

9. Cats

 I call this Catar, simply because there are cats everywhere. If the stats are to be believed, there are almost twice as many cats as there are people in Qatar, and many of them are strays.

10. Cheques

In a country considered as Middle East leaders in technological transformation and investment in digital innovation, it’s hard to believe Qatar still uses cheques for payment. They do. We had to produce pre-dated, signed cheques for every month of our three-year house rental contract!

It’s another of the weird and wonderful things about Qatar (part 2).

11. Clean

Qatar is spotlessly clean. There is no obvious litter or weeds, and everything is new or generally well maintained. But when it comes to air quality, this Gulf state rates as ones of the most polluted countries in the world. Blame it on the desert dust. It’s everywhere, but you just can’t see it – unless there’s a sandstorm or you’re cleaning your house.

12. Construction

The national bird of Qatar is also jokingly referred to as the crane. This is simply because wherever you look there are cranes because of the ongoing construction. (PS. The national bird is a falcon).

13. Culture

The culture of Qatar is influenced by the Bedouins, along with the former pearl and fishing industries, the Islamic religion and desert climate. There is also a strong focus on family and hospitality in Qatar. This heritage is evident throughout Qatar even though the locals only make up between 10% and 12% of the population of about 2.7 million people.

14. Desert

Qatar is a desert country.

This means lots of sand and very little rain. It also means striking sunset vistas, undulating dunes and recreational opportunities. Just do not be like us and head into the desert wilderness on the windiest day of year!

15. Dhows

No trip to Doha, Qatar, is complete without taking a trip into the bay on a traditional wooden fishing boat. Today these dhows are now mainly used for tourism. It costs about QAR35 (about R180) each to enjoy a 20-minute trip to view the wonderful vistas of the mini-Manhattan skyline.  

16. Dress code

Respect for the Qatari culture means many places and spaces in Doha frown upon spaghetti-string tops, sleeveless dresses, mini skirts and shorts. The shorts go for the men too. In Qatar, the locals wear white thobes (men) and abayas (women). Many women also still cover their faces. 

 

17. Driving

In Qatar, motorists drive on the other side of the road. That is to say, the right-hand side. The cars are mainly, large automatic SUVs, but you should not be surprised to have a Rolls, Bentley and Porsche pull up alongside you. The multi-lane highways and supporting infrastructure is good, but the drivers are often impatient and practice the Doha Drift at will.

PS. I am still not convinced it will be wise for me to drive in Qatar.

18. Education

According to Dr Google, there are 228 private schools, 212 public schools and 32 universities in Qatar. Education is a key component of Qatar’s Vision 2030 as it recognises the importance of a diversified, knowledge-based economy in creating a prosperous future for itself.

The country has a sound reputation in providing quality education. They even have a dedicated area in Doha called Education City, which is home to branch campuses of some of the world’s leading education institutes, start-up incubators, technology parks and cultural institutions.  

Interestingly, formal schooling in Qatar only began in 1956.

19. Exhibitions

I have visited more exhibitions in Qatar in the past 18 months than I had during my entire adult life before that. Every weekend, there are opportunities to learn something new. Art, agricultural produce, falcons, honey, dates, diamonds, watches, cars, photographs, cultural treats, books, horses, flowers, chocolate, coffee, tea, tourism, travel fairs, home grown produce …

A huge plus is that these exhibitions are free and are usually hosted close to a Metro station.

20. Expo

Expo 2023 Doha is the big tourism drawcard right now as Al Bidda Park has been transformed to host three sections – cultural, family and international – in line with the theme of Green Desert, Better Environment. The exhibition runs until 28 March 2023.  

21. Falcons

Falcons are to Qatar what rugby is to South Africa. It’s part of the Qatari DNA.

22. Family life

Qatari’s place great value on families. It’s integral to their culture, and children usually continue to live with their parents until they marry. There is much in place to support young families like parks and recreation facilities. There are special parking facilities and compartments on the Metro, for example, which are set aside for families.

23. Flat

Did you know that Qatar is the second flattest country in the world, after the Maldives? This makes it great for cycling! 

24. Food

With 121 nationalities living in Qatar, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to food. You can eat your way around the world without leaving Doha as many cuisine types are available in the international hotels. Apparently, there are 3200 restaurants and take-away outlets in Doha.

25. Football

The Qatar National Football team, the Maroons, didn’t win a match during the FIFA 2022 World Cup, but I like to think that their country, and our temporary home, won the support and hearts of many for their hosting of the soccer spectacle.