It’s a safe bet that few of your relatives have ever been to Qatar. The country is not a tourist destination. If it received 2.14 million visitors in 2019, this is above all business trips and people from the region (primarily Saudis). During this World Cup month, Qatar will host 1.5 million people, half its normal population. Never in their history have the Qataris (which can also be referred to as Qatar) been in the presence of so many cultures and visions of the world, which are sometimes far from their own. Our guide to avoiding the odds.
Between tradition and globalization
One understands Qatar better when one remembers that, like elsewhere in the Gulf region, it is a country with traditional values, which has entered capitalist logic with lightning speed for economic needs. The speed of the collision between a certain conservatism and globalization has had surprising consequences and created strange coexistences; At the foot of glass and steel skyscrapers, residents wander around in gandours (long traditional clothing for men) and abayas (long black coats). worn by women).
In this subcontinent, with its dazzling modern infrastructure, relations between men and women are still governed by norms that seem indifferent to progress. The Qataris have found themselves in a dilemma that is not unique to them. they want to fully embrace globalization while protecting their cultural and religious values. However, there are no hard boundaries between these different fields, which mutually influence each other, sometimes causing misunderstandings. The most recent, two days before the start of the World Cup, was the cancellation of the announcement on the sale of alcoholic beverages near the stadiums.
A few key points
Dress
The term “modest” may sound like a provocation in this 160-kilometer-long and 80-kilometer-wide country, where luxury cars outnumber camels. In this context, it is synonymous with restraint. The latter can be seen first of all in the field of clothing. both women and men are invited to adopt Islamic-respecting attire. The veil is no more compulsory than the traditional dress, but it is fashionable to cover the shoulders and knees. There is no strict law governing this point, the locals rely on the good sense of visitors. A foreigner is not prohibited from wearing traditional clothing, as long as they do so in a respectful manner without seeing it as a folkloric disguise.
male-female relationship
This restraint is also expected in the relationship between men and women. Katari will not shake a man’s hand, and vice versa. Physical contact from a man will often be perceived as inappropriate, even aggressive. A smile or a nod will suffice as a greeting. Public displays of affection are strongly discouraged, even by a heterosexual married couple. Homosexual relations are illegal.
Behaving in the public sphere
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Qataris adhere to strict separation of private and public spheres. nothing in the latter should offend the sensibilities of the inhabitants. Any behavior that may annoy one’s neighbor is prohibited. If there is a limit to personal interpretation, then certain prohibitions are clearly stated, for example, the prohibition of smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places. The consumption of alcohol is exclusively within the limits of certain hotels that have an official license. And only. The price was paid by the Budweiser beer brand, which has been the official sponsor of the World Cup for 30 years. As in all sports competitions, refreshment and snack stations have been set up. However, a day before the opening match, the organizing committee of the event announced that the sale of alcohol in and around the stadiums will finally be banned. The late announcement led to thousands of pallets of beer being locked up in warehouses as Qatar planned to introduce exemptions to allow fans to buy beer in designated areas. Not lost on all, Budweiser will be offering them to the winning country on December 18, 2022.
Qatar’s stoicism and mistrust
Qataris exhibit stoicism, which is close to a form of coldness. Foreign commentators have also criticized the indifference of the fans in the stands during the inaugural Qatar-Ecuador match. We are far from Latin passion. It is rare to see a local speaking loudly in a public space, showing violent anger or unbridled joy. If such attitudes are not illegal, then they are condemned. On the contrary, the Qataris show an indifference that strongly resembles indifference; It is not fashionable to rush them.
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Ashley Mark, a news website author for Buna Times. I specialize in writing articles about current trends and breaking news stories. With my passion for uncovering the truth behind every story, I strive to bring readers the most up-to-date information available.