Qatar is more than just the towering heights of skyscrapers, Museum of Islamic Arts, Souq Waqif and other tourists attractions.
The country is a home of open, extremely welcoming, and friendly Qataris who embrace the cultural heritage of Islamic traditions. If you’re planning to move to Qatar as an expat, then you surely have a place there.
Expat life in Qatar means knowing the country’s customs and traditions. So, before you go looking for some jobs in qatar, here’s a list of the things you need to know.
Dress Code in Qatar
The dress code is probably the most noticeable difference between a Qatari and an expat. In Muslim countries like Qatar, men and women are expected to dress modestly. Women are seen wearing a black robe called Abaya and a scarf they put over their head and neck, called the Hijab.
Men, on the other hand, wear a white ankle-length garment called Kandoora (sometimes called Dishdasha, Khamis, and Qamiis). This garment is usually paired with a headscarf with a checkered color of red and white.
No specific Qatari law promotes the strict implementation of the dress code. It is still vital that expats should dress modestly as per the standard guidelines.
Food and Beverages
Alcohol cannot be consumed publicly in Qatar because drinking is widely unacceptable in the Islamic states. Alcoholic beverages are only served in hotels and restaurants, and must only be consumed within those premises.
However, a license to purchase alcohol can be issued to an expat as long as he complies with the procedure for obtaining one.
For long-term foreign residents who managed to find jobs in Qatar, the application process to get the license requires a permission letter from an employer.
As for the Islamic State’s daily consumption, pork is unacceptable. Always remember, import of pork to the country is strictly prohibited.
Tolerance for Other Religions
Unlike other Muslim countries in Middle East, Qatar has been lenient with expats having a different religion. There are Christians and some other religious churches you can visit. Import of religious materials, however, is banned in the country. This means that the practice of one’s faith in Qatar is not objected; only the proselytising of religion.
Business Culture in Qatar
The Arabic tradition heavily influences the Qatari business culture. It typically highlights personal relationship as an essential factor in developing a strong foundation between associates. They prefer people they have known for a long time and the ones they can trust.
Marketing strategies that are aggressively approached is a big no to the country as it fosters unnecessary aggression. Public criticism of an associate should only be made with the utmost discretion.
When using a business card, see to it that either one of the sides of the card has Arabic prints. And when you receive one, be sure to go through it thoroughly before putting it away. Working hours are also planned with a midday rest starting at mid-noon and ending at thirty minutes past one. This goes on from Sunday until Thursday of the same week.
Living in Qatar can be both rewarding and challenging as it offers you a new world to explore and lessons to learn. Knowing how the country embraces its culture and tradition makes all the experience worth your time living and working in the country.