Middle Eastern countries often attract our attention because of their unique landscape or culture and are very different from the way of life in the West or the East. These places have customs and some rules of etiquette that surprise many visitors.
Qatar, a small country neighboring Saudi Arabia, is the focus of the whole world when hosting the most popular sports tournament on the planet – the 2022 World Cup. If you are considering traveling here , let’s first find out the following strange things in Qatar first so as not to be surprised:
1. Men greet each other in a different way
In most countries, men greet each other with a handshake, but the Qataris go further than that. In Qatar, men often touch the tip of each other’s noses when greeting as a sign of mutual respect that they are from the same class. So if you meet a Qatari, wait for that person to give you his hand first, or his nose.
2. “How are you feeling today?”
This can be a great way to strike up a conversation with a Qatari. While some of us may feel like getting straight to the point, in Qatar, before initiating any form of talk – whether in a job interview or a business meeting – The polite thing to do is to ask about the health of the other person.
You don’t have to ask for details, but it’s important to show interest. The person asking the question will get the same question back. This initial conversation may take longer than expected.
3. Be careful when taking pictures
Nowadays, it is normal for people to take pictures and videos of everything in public. But in Qatar, people must first ask permission whenever they want to photograph something. Not only in religious sites but in shopping malls, airport areas, military facilities, construction sites, industrial parks, and government facilities. Taking pictures in public places is in some cases considered a violation of the law and if you do not respect the law, you will have to bear the consequences.
4. Avoid exposing the soles of your shoes
Another cultural custom that international tourists need to be aware of is that revealing the soles of shoes is not frowned upon in Qatar. For them, shoes are an extension of the foot, one of the dirtiest parts of the body. Therefore, it is disrespectful to reveal them carelessly.
5. Couples sleep in separate rooms
If you are traveling to Qatar with your partner, you need to respect some social customs. Until recently, fiancés were prohibited from sharing hotel rooms. However, that rule has now become more flexible for foreigners, but it still applies to Qataris.
6. Qataris are very strict about dress
In Western countries, people wear comfortable clothes on the street and don’t need to worry about any particular dress code. On the other hand, the people of Qatar do not have such freedom, as their country has regulations on what residents and visitors can and cannot wear, even if the high temperatures persist year-round.
In Qatar, more discreet attire is the norm. In addition to the traditional suit, men can also wear trousers or a shirt in public. Women must wear clothing that covers their shoulders, arms and knees when going out. However, this is not necessary if they are staying at a hotel or a private club.
7. Eating and drinking must have principles
In Qatar, sharing plates with others is a great form of interaction, not rude. Another welcome gesture is to let someone put food on your plate with their hands. In addition, food is usually eaten with the hands, although this can vary from household to household. But you should pay careful attention to which hand you use because only the right hand should be used to eat, while the left hand is considered unhygienic.
8. Spiced tea is Qatar’s favorite drink
Qatar is a country that loves to drink tea. They like to enjoy a drink called karak, introduced in Qatar by expatriate Indians and Pakistanis in the 1950s. In the traditional Qatari version, it is a blend of tea, milk, and water. , sugar and cardamom but may also include cinnamon, cloves or ginger.
This drink proves that a country’s culture can change over time. Although the drink is not native to Qatar, its inhabitants loved karak when it was first introduced, so much so that it became a “craze”. Besides delicious taste, easy to prepare and cheap, its spices also have health benefits.
9. Coffee is also a signature drink
As the major coffee producer of the Arab region, coffee is present in Qatari culture and is part of the national folklore. According to custom, coffee is served in a small metal cup without a handle. So they only serve up to 3/4 cup to avoid the drinker getting burned. But if you drink more than 3 cups of coffee at a time, it will be considered impolite.
Source: Bright Side