Yeah..I had to change my plans of going to gods own country as I noticed that they were all out here and I did not want to be shocked anymore out of my senses by actually getting to that place.
it was a shock for me. the heat as i went out of the airport, and the next morning at the medical commission the hundreds of workers shout at by a man in white, and later the double shift work (9-12, 16-21:00) with the 4 h forced siesta.
now, after 3.5 years, i am SHOCKED when i go back to my country...if u can call it a country.
Coming from South Africa, I was really petrified when a group of men came towards me with most of their faces covered. I almost screamed and ran away thinking they were a group of thugs about to attack and rob me. It took me about 3 months to get used to the idea of being able to walk around, leave your doors unlocked (within reason) and even leave your car engine running being robbed blind. Still am not used to the non western foods though.
TB I always find the hardest thing to adjust to is food. Especially when I moved to Korea. The inability to find the food that you're used to and adjust to food that's wildely different than what you are used to is enough to make you cry and scream.
Clothes can be tough to. At least in qatar you can read on the web about what to wear and what not to wear, but no one tells you that korea is actually quite conservative as well, I was shocked to learn that I couldn't wear spaghetti strap tank tops.
Weather changes are also difficult to adjust to. You can read all you want about +45 temps, but you will never be prepared for it till you actually feel it.
I think no matter how much you read you can never really be prepared for the physical changes.
I learn'rt so many different English terms and words that I was had not heard before, like May I know your Good Name Sir (What if my name is Dick Turnip) or come again sir!
Tb when people say "culture shock" they aren't talking about being surprised or apalled by a new culture but rather the medical term "shock" which is a feeling od disorientation, stress, depression, anxiety, etc that generally occurs when you immerse yourself in a new culture. No matter how much you read about a place it will never prepare you for those first few weeks of finding yourself surrounded by a new language, new food, new behaviours and norms. It can be very overwhelming.
i was so shocked coz i did not see people walking on the street . daytime and night time so i was so afraid that time im thinking that not allowed to walk on the street it takes 1 month before i go out ..... and i was so homesick ......
Once the Expat moving to Qatar figures out where this tiny Gulf state is located on a map the culture shock is over.
Yes bureaucratic difficulties and red tape can still prove frustrating and endless. The fact that human right issues are still very severly undermined and there exists traditional society that is not nearly as liberal as neighbours like the UAE or Bahrain.
ensorship is still enforced and foreigners will never be able to command the same place in society as Qataris.
Additionally, expats considering moving to Qatar should remember that the peninsula is only recently getting rid of growing pains. This gangly phase means provincialisms still exis.
Despite these challenges though, the expat community in Qatar is large and welcoming; and it’s relatively easy to make connections that can ease the relocation process, and that can help you to overcome the challenges of culture shock.
kissing cheeks or nose to nose hahah .. this is kind of respect not holding any sexual intention (sick mind) that is happened on occasions or long distance absence and eid s ... between family members or close friends ..
Ok..well maybe a lot. Sort of had me reeling and I don't think I'm still quite over it! But hey I always always loved it here and never got homesick =D
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Yeah..I had to change my plans of going to gods own country as I noticed that they were all out here and I did not want to be shocked anymore out of my senses by actually getting to that place.
Good Morning to you to my lovely jubly bubbly friend..:)
LOL UK!
Good morning UK & Tinks! :P
lol BM. This is a public forum can not elaborate too much on here..hehe. But believe me there are some really desperate ones out there! lol
can you further elaborate Ukeng. :P which one opened for a penny? *wink*
Good morning.. Tinker lol.. really its norm here!
I was shocked to see that some people will open every thing at drop of a penny!
I'm not shocked at all..I've been open to any cultures.. just have to open the mind..:)
like Shock Absorber! Shock Attack..lol..!
ermmm...cant tell it here... :(
such a 3rd world country, with first world status in gas/energy production ^_*
yep at first, didn't realise Qatar was such a 3rd world country with a few shiny buildings...
ruby can u state few examples of the shocks
i wasnt only cultured shock but also Shock To The Bones!!!
things that i never experienced before... :(
NO..I have been to DUBAI before..so nothing new for me...
Much of the shock and awe is from having limited cultural experience in their culturally homogenous lives before taking up a position elsewhere.
UK...I was shocked even before I knew of Ramada...:)
Rizks, didn't you receive a shock on your back when you arrived for the first time here ;)
No shocks...for me many pleasant surprises!
Remember that we are talking about Culture "shock" - not surprise
We are talking about "shock" - not surprise..
UK,What makes you so inquisitive about them? Do you really want to know?
Dk where are they gone now?
I came to qatar straight from dubai and was surprised not to see russian and chinese dolls hanging out infront of hotels at night..
HGL did it happen any where near Ramada?
it was a shock for me. the heat as i went out of the airport, and the next morning at the medical commission the hundreds of workers shout at by a man in white, and later the double shift work (9-12, 16-21:00) with the 4 h forced siesta.
now, after 3.5 years, i am SHOCKED when i go back to my country...if u can call it a country.
I surely was shocked for things which cant be stated...but it was a pleasant shock....:)
oops, that was supposed to read "without being robbed blind"
Coming from South Africa, I was really petrified when a group of men came towards me with most of their faces covered. I almost screamed and ran away thinking they were a group of thugs about to attack and rob me. It took me about 3 months to get used to the idea of being able to walk around, leave your doors unlocked (within reason) and even leave your car engine running being robbed blind. Still am not used to the non western foods though.
No such thing as culture shock.. Open your eyes and your mind and everything will be ok..
FS have you not heard that song..
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me..:)
Nops...
Lived previously in Abudhabi for couple of years....
I was shocked to know that I need to reach work at 7:00... In India our time was 10 to 5...was really difficult first few months!
Then didnt know that smiling at people is an invitation here..:( I used to smile at everyone back home....:)
Always going in Car was sooo shocking..I used walk freely in the streets..:(
loool UK! i've heard that one a couple of times!
There is one more….
(He talked abt his close friend in a meeting….
“one day i go to his house..he not there..i joined his wife!”)
"he meant the wife let him in ". LOOL
But until you actually get here and experience the differences how do you know if you can handle it or not?
TB I always find the hardest thing to adjust to is food. Especially when I moved to Korea. The inability to find the food that you're used to and adjust to food that's wildely different than what you are used to is enough to make you cry and scream.
Clothes can be tough to. At least in qatar you can read on the web about what to wear and what not to wear, but no one tells you that korea is actually quite conservative as well, I was shocked to learn that I couldn't wear spaghetti strap tank tops.
Weather changes are also difficult to adjust to. You can read all you want about +45 temps, but you will never be prepared for it till you actually feel it.
I think no matter how much you read you can never really be prepared for the physical changes.
I learn'rt so many different English terms and words that I was had not heard before, like May I know your Good Name Sir (What if my name is Dick Turnip) or come again sir!
DaRuDe - Those half mast flags were human or camels?
Tb when people say "culture shock" they aren't talking about being surprised or apalled by a new culture but rather the medical term "shock" which is a feeling od disorientation, stress, depression, anxiety, etc that generally occurs when you immerse yourself in a new culture. No matter how much you read about a place it will never prepare you for those first few weeks of finding yourself surrounded by a new language, new food, new behaviours and norms. It can be very overwhelming.
i was so shocked coz i did not see people walking on the street . daytime and night time so i was so afraid that time im thinking that not allowed to walk on the street it takes 1 month before i go out ..... and i was so homesick ......
when i saw so many flags at half mast
No.
I get shocked every time I Read a Thread on QL! about people asking for help and telling their life stories!
after 3 years in china, i believe i will never have a culture shock again,
Once the Expat moving to Qatar figures out where this tiny Gulf state is located on a map the culture shock is over.
Yes bureaucratic difficulties and red tape can still prove frustrating and endless. The fact that human right issues are still very severly undermined and there exists traditional society that is not nearly as liberal as neighbours like the UAE or Bahrain.
ensorship is still enforced and foreigners will never be able to command the same place in society as Qataris.
Additionally, expats considering moving to Qatar should remember that the peninsula is only recently getting rid of growing pains. This gangly phase means provincialisms still exis.
Despite these challenges though, the expat community in Qatar is large and welcoming; and it’s relatively easy to make connections that can ease the relocation process, and that can help you to overcome the challenges of culture shock.
ukeng u bad cheetah why do ur eyes roll below wher they scratch
Yes shocked indeed when I saw men holding each others hand and scratch their balls with the other hand! :)
doesn't hurt to be prepared, read books, magazines internet blogs etc regarding Qatar. will help you adjust.
kissing cheeks or nose to nose hahah .. this is kind of respect not holding any sexual intention (sick mind) that is happened on occasions or long distance absence and eid s ... between family members or close friends ..
yes, i did but quickly got over it.
do they swim in alcohol there?
You obviously haven't been to Wales
Yes, initially I was shocked by the amount of alcohol that was (and still is) consumed in this country!
cheek to cheek kissing is allowed, but not Tongue to Tongue.....:(
yes , especially when i saw 2 men holding hands and kissing cheek to cheek... :)
Ok..well maybe a lot. Sort of had me reeling and I don't think I'm still quite over it! But hey I always always loved it here and never got homesick =D
i only get shock when i see the sight of colourfull embroided lungi in every corner i dont feel i m abroad :(
Not so much..
Not so much here as I did when I moved to korea.
same syria here my second home qatar ...
@Surinder.suri
Yes, in many aspects
what shock it is their culture .. do they pass electric current n give shocks
Not really.
NO, coz i was born here !