A cause for QAWS

20 Aug, 2008  Annoyances

Update: 27/8/2008. I have not named anyone and just want to clearly point out that I wanted to share my feelings at the time so that this doesn’t happen in the future to someone else. I had no intention of insulting anyone in return. So I apologize to that person if they felt that this blog post was inappropriate. Again, this is a blog where I discuss, criticize, rant, share, etc… If there is something that offends anyone, please send me a message with a kind request to remove the offending material and it’ll be considered seriously.

I was initially going to post about yesterdays meeting and talk about what happened but I had to get this off my chest.

Guys, if you’re an expat, and you don’t understand Qatari culture, don’t assume. Just ask. I know it’s hard because different people have different requirements. Yesterday I was having a good time but I was embarassed by someone. She came up to me, shook my hand and leaned forward for the hello pecks (peck on the cheek not my huge muscular pecks of course), and as I leaned forward she pulls back and says, “oh you’re Qatari” and after an awkward smile she walks off. I imagine that the best solution would be to decide whether you are going to lean forward or not before saying hello lol.

I will not say this anymore clearer, that is amazingly insulting. If someone is leaning forward or extending their hand you don’t say ‘NO’ unless it’s against YOUR culture. Some Qatari women who are religious will not shake hands, most will. In our culture you do a cheek to cheek to say hello to a good friend (men with men, women with women) but it’s become more common for men and women to also give each other a cheek to cheek. (on a side note it’s THREE WITH THE RIGHT CHEEK! DONT MAKE A MISTAKE).

Oh well, hopefully someone’s learned from this. If you’re not sure, just ask, otherwise if someone extends their hand or even offers a hello peck, a rejection is extremely insulting to Qataris.

On a side note here’s the pattern of kissing in different gulf countries so you don’t have some ‘close’ moments.

Qatar: Three on the right.
Bahrain: Right, Left, Right
Kuwait: Right, Left, Left
Saudi: Right, Left
Everyone (safe way): Right, Left

Don’t ask me why, that’s just culture.

14 Comments so far »

  1. novita77 said,

    Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 1:28 am

    Appology Mr.Q, i will make sure kissing your right cheek next time. You should correct me on the post :)

  2. Kei said,

    Wrote on August 22, 2008 @ 5:15 pm

    lol no it’s ok. haha

    I’d rather have one on each side rather than someone pulling away after leaning forward :P

  3. sweet30 said,

    Wrote on August 23, 2008 @ 4:12 pm

    -smile-

    Salaam

    lol @ this post.

  4. sweet30 said,

    Wrote on August 23, 2008 @ 4:14 pm

    On a more serious note, MR Q I am new in Qatar and would love a tour of the place when you have some time>

  5. Kei said,

    Wrote on August 23, 2008 @ 4:19 pm

    well I’m always here to help out. I’m sure I can arrange an outing with other ILQers

  6. desert_queen said,

    Wrote on August 24, 2008 @ 7:16 pm

    I knew it was you novita ;0)

  7. JB said,

    Wrote on August 24, 2008 @ 11:19 pm

    Hi! I’m new at Qatar too and I would like to meet some people just to not be alone all the time :)
    Also, I don’t get the three times kissing thing. Do you mean that you kiss three times the same cheek (the right one) without the right-left-right thing or you do the following: right(r)-left(l)-r-l-r?

  8. Kei said,

    Wrote on August 24, 2008 @ 11:37 pm

    well the best places to start off on include the ILQ Forum and QFriends :)

    As for the kissing, it’s Right Right Right :)

  9. novita77 said,

    Wrote on August 25, 2008 @ 12:37 pm

    mental note : next meeting make sure kissing Kei ‘right right right’.

  10. anonymous said,

    Wrote on August 26, 2008 @ 11:06 pm

    Well I am sorry that I insulted you so deeply that you felt necessary to blog it. It certainly wasn’t my intention. Obviously I did wrong by trying to do right.
    I dont know you very well or your personal views so I unintentionally offended. Please accept my apologies.

  11. Kei said,

    Wrote on August 27, 2008 @ 9:29 am

    Not to worry. The post was to help non-Qataris so they know how to react in that situation.

    Thank you for apologizing though :) It wasn’t my intention to ‘call you out’, it was my feelings at the time.

  12. adrez said,

    Wrote on August 27, 2008 @ 1:34 pm

    its my 1st time to comment here—-
    im always looking forward for you blogs—-i learn alot of info—tanx—
    looking forward for the ILQers outing—-count me in…

  13. Kei said,

    Wrote on August 27, 2008 @ 2:15 pm

    I’m glad andrez. I’ve booked you a seat on Friday :)

    @Anonymous, I apologize if my thread made you feel bad.

  14. adrez said,

    Wrote on August 28, 2008 @ 10:20 am

    sorry— i thought there’s no schedule yet for the outing ( its just now that i saw your post on the forum—) i will make up next time—

Comment RSS · TrackBack URI

Leave a Comment

Name: (Required)

E-mail: (Required)

Website:

Comment:

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.