Men holding hands with men in Qatar

heero_yuy2
By heero_yuy2

first time I landed here for a job, the first sight that got me awkward was a guy holding hands with another guy, and suddenly I go "Whoa!" and turned into statue.

Up until now I can't sleep properly seeing every people around here doing that.

Is it, uhh, culture?

By martinitheresaparty• 28 Nov 2010 16:54
martinitheresaparty

ts really funny seeing them but in their culture its ok..I've seen also kissing their cheeks, my friend said its a sign of respect. But in my culture, men cannot do that coz eventually people will say that they were gays. lols.

MY REPLY:

aren't they? whahahahahaha

By MAJID• 16 Jan 2010 19:18
MAJID

sometimes u see somethings in ur way u cant see all of the world from ur eyes.. thay might be brothers,father and son ,cosens family friends ?dude u need understand

peace :)

By fhranzis067• 16 Jan 2010 16:45
fhranzis067

"There not hurting anyone.. but they will be lock up if found out thay are gay living together". What a conclusion for both guys holding hands together... anyway, if they really were, i heard that both will face deportation after they've been locked up.

"Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions"...

By Bluemountain• 16 Jan 2010 16:14
Bluemountain

that is so funny

By Bluemountain• 16 Jan 2010 16:12
Bluemountain

that is gay

By anonymous• 16 Jan 2010 16:11
anonymous

nothing wrong with being gay man. nothing wrong with two guys holding hands together in the street. all i said was watch out if they live together man...i thought that was plain to read what i entered man.

By anonymous• 16 Jan 2010 16:08
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

it's just a matter of respect as long as it doesn't make any harm to anyone or to anybody. There not hurting anyone.. but they will be lock up if found out thay are gay living together.

By fhranzis067• 16 Jan 2010 15:41
fhranzis067

Drovers dog.. we're not talking about gays here, it's about culture and tradition.. its a whole diff. story, not unless you're into a gay stuff.. get a life dude!

"Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions"...

By fhranzis067• 16 Jan 2010 15:09
fhranzis067

We have diff. cultures, traditions and religion. we're living in a multiculture country.. it's just a matter of respect as long as it doesn't make any harm to anyone or to anybody.

"Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions"...

By BH88• 16 Jan 2010 15:02
BH88

Tutor1 spoken like a true douchebag !!!

By anonymous• 16 Jan 2010 14:50
anonymous

its really funny seeing them but in their culture its ok..I've seen also kissing their cheeks, my friend said its a sign of respect. But in my culture, men cannot do that coz eventually people will say that they were gays. lols.

By qatarexplorer• 16 Jan 2010 14:42
Rating: 5/5
qatarexplorer

nothing wrong with that, but it is our mind who suggest different interpretation. maybe it is their way of expressing closeness to their friends.

when my long lost friend come home to our province the first move is to embrace and hug him, it doesnt imply that we are both gay. we are happy to see each other, so maybe they are happy too, and they are holding hands to indicate their happiness and closeness...

get well and sleep well...drink LABAN (almarai)with pure honey so you will have a good sleep...

By cuteBLACKGUY• 16 Jan 2010 14:24
Rating: 4/5
cuteBLACKGUY

Why do people worry themselves out to a point of personal discomfort on other people issues(hands, legs eyes or nose. whatever!...)? Its their culture . They practiced it before you "discovered" and will keep on practicing it after you must have left Doha.My advice while still here,Get used to it and mind your business!

can i be your BAZOOKA!!!

By yousefmsh• 16 Jan 2010 09:30
Rating: 4/5
yousefmsh

i do not know what is this ppl come here to work then they speak badly about this culture . what is bothering u ppl if men kiss by nose in here .it is there culture and we should respect it . and if u do not like it do not do it , and for holding hands what problem why girls (women) when they hold hands we do not think anything wrong (lesbians ), same thing for the men here does not mean anything and i do not know some ppl like to make this country and Arab country down , u should look at your own and try to fix ,geys ,lesbians fagets divorced ppl, sleep with each other without married , a lot of v. bad things and the inflation, homeless ppl, poor ppl,and unsecure . if your country give everything u want, u do not come here. Do not drink from the glass then spitting in it .

By anonymous• 16 Jan 2010 08:10
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

You should travel more, all over the Arab world, men hold hands with other men..even in the indian subcontinent, it is no big deal..like when i shake hands with a close friend whom I am seeing after a long time, we continue holding hands for soemtime..it is not a bog deal, just a mark of friendship..just try to understand that you westerners form just a fraction of the worlds populace,and dont expect the rest of us to follow your rules..but if you prefer to smirk and lose sleep over men holding hands here, go ahead, it is your choice...

By stealth• 16 Jan 2010 07:01
stealth

BS

By anonymous• 16 Jan 2010 05:56
anonymous

It is cute!

By Stone Cold• 16 Jan 2010 05:51
Rating: 2/5
Stone Cold

It shouldn't be. Man holding hands can lead to adulterous feeling and the consequence is same sex affair. Very dirty.

By Metal-son• 16 Jan 2010 04:17
Rating: 2/5
Metal-son

no its not gay .. its brotherhood .. i know how it sounds ... but its brotherhood friendship .. call it what u want .. lol but its not gay believe me

personally i dont like anybody(Males lol) to hold my hand like that while we are walkin around the movie theater in Villagio or City center

By anonymous• 16 Jan 2010 01:32
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

most Philippino guys in here are cup cakes, seen couple of Indian fruits holding hands at cornich too.. arabs probably ram each other in secret, and they tell their wives they at work meetings,

what a mess

By maccallister• 15 Jan 2010 23:56
maccallister

many are like that,thought they fags or something,but i guess they're not,just trying to tell myself its their culture

By bumblebee• 27 Aug 2008 22:22
bumblebee

No, no, no... in my country men don't hold hands with other men. Those men holding hands are from other countries.

By anonymous• 27 Aug 2008 12:15
anonymous

Did you feel left out OP? Is it as gay as getting teabagged?

By x_albhertz• 26 Aug 2008 11:09
x_albhertz

mostly are indians expat do that awkward thing lolz!

maybe they dont want 2 lose their partners/friends/honey nyahahahaha!

By desertmoon• 26 Aug 2008 11:08
Rating: 2/5
desertmoon

uhhhh...many Arab Guys holding hands are more MAN than you will ever dream of being ...sorry ...but this thread is nuts...

By Peppermint• 26 Aug 2008 10:41
Peppermint

Amnesia-- therefore theres TOO many "illegal" here in Doha?

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

By amnesia• 26 Aug 2008 10:31
Rating: 4/5
amnesia

@peppermint, you don't need to distinguish because being Gay is illegal.

You should assume they are just friends. Even if they WERE gay, so what? You're from Philipinnes, you guys have ALOT of Gay people. So what?

__________________________

Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

By Peppermint• 26 Aug 2008 09:46
Rating: 5/5
Peppermint

cheesecake_28 -- yeah ur right! Not only along corniche but also in al muntaza park every Thursday night. There u will see a lot of sweet males (in group)... (Together lying on grass, holding hands while watching the romantic moon!)

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

By Peppermint• 26 Aug 2008 09:35
Rating: 4/5
Peppermint

"Bik Mety said " You must have never been to an Asian country. All over Asia, men hold hands with other men. Women holding hands is also very normal."

Correction please... holdings hands (both male) is not ordinary/ normal thing in Asia specially to Filipino males! For us those acts are for CERTIFIED GAYS only!

Here ME its part of their culture... we cant do anything about it!

But how can u distinguished the plain male friends from gay lovers through holding hands???

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

By britexpat• 26 Aug 2008 09:34
Rating: 3/5
britexpat

I am amazed at this post..

As expats who have worked in numerous countries and lived in differing cultures, that we should continue to be so biased in our opinions regarding this issue.

In certain cultures, men holding hands is acceptable. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with it. It also does not mean that all men holding hands are gay. And even if they were - would it really make any difference to me as an individual..??

Rant over.. will go and have a soothing drink now.

By bumblebee• 26 Aug 2008 09:27
bumblebee

women can do that, so do men!!

By Bahraini83• 26 Aug 2008 09:26
Bahraini83

that's one thing that keeps on amusing westerners mostly ... i had a german cabin crew friend .. who was wondering the first time he landed in a mid-eastern country which i'm not naming .. "is this gays paradise or what?" ... then he came to know that its kindda normal here to see men holding hands

By chocolate• 26 Aug 2008 09:20
chocolate

Heero - , be happy they're only holding hands !

By Peppermint• 26 Aug 2008 09:10
Rating: 5/5
Peppermint

i saw one pair inside City center sitting together in the bench (both males) leaning their heads to each other with matching holding hands. (how sweeeeeeeet!!!) =D

“Learn

from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

By amnesia• 26 Aug 2008 09:02
Rating: 4/5
amnesia

it's normal for some to hold hands.

Funny isn't it, in a country where homosexuality is illegal, yet it's the expats who display the homophobia.

__________________________

Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

By Dracula• 26 Aug 2008 00:26
Dracula

yukkk

By cheesecake_28• 26 Aug 2008 00:17
Rating: 5/5
cheesecake_28

wait till you see some of them resting along corniche and is laying on the grass as if they were lovers...facing each other and gently stroking each other's hair!!!whoooaaaaaaaa

By SonOfPrince• 25 Aug 2008 23:15
SonOfPrince

bros over 304s

By K_S• 25 Aug 2008 21:35
K_S

may be other guy was BLIND!!!

"I shall live this day as if it is my last. And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks"

By Meaningful• 25 Aug 2008 21:02
Rating: 4/5
Meaningful

Who said its not allowed holding hnd husband and wife? you can even kiss but offcourse not at the middle (the center) of the mall or on standing outside the road and kiss but if you are seating in hiden place where people dont care to look what you are doing then husband and wife can kiss. but dont do as one white American guy who was cought at city centre him with his arab gf last couple of month, imagine : the white American with blue eyes holding hand an arab girl wearing abaya (full black) and they were seating on those bench at the middle of 3rd floor. so doing this is stupidity and they were cought and sent to jail, the American guy was sent back home after 3days.

I dont live with example..Reather I prefer to be an example!

By britexpat• 25 Aug 2008 20:53
britexpat

Yes You can hold hands with your spouse in Qatar..If you need in writing, go to the local police station and ask them to issue a paper..

By manyana• 25 Aug 2008 20:27
manyana

The touchy syndrome...when i first saw it was kinder shocked but now am used to it...

By someonenew• 25 Aug 2008 20:06
someonenew

So can u or cant u hold hands with ur husband in public in Doha? And how wil they know he's ur husband and not boyfriend? Do i have to wear a t-shirt saying "thats the nut that married me"?

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

By britexpat• 25 Aug 2008 19:48
britexpat

Good and sensible post.. Thanks

By Torque• 25 Aug 2008 19:20
Rating: 2/5
Torque

I preface the below comments as that from an Englishman who's spent some time in the ME.

I understand about the men holding hands part having seen it many times, made me wince the first time, I thought there was a serious homosexual element in the region, hence the medical tests for visa's, aids anybody?

However I also remember walking around Mall of the Emirates (Dubai) holding hands with my son, in fact he started to feel uneasy & from that day forward would never hold my hand. He associated it with being 'gay', nothing else.

I personally don't have a problem with it, Qatar is much stricter than Dubai, most western heterosexual couples there walk around hand in hand as it's such an ingrained part of our traditional family lives & early boy/girl-friend relationships becomes a symbol; "she's mine" or whatever.

As more westerners come here then I'm sure it will become far more common a sight, its inevitable, like not smoking in malls has become...

Only in some places in the UK do you see adult men holding hands with other men, there it's typically a sign of being gay.

I'd hold the hand of a girl-friend but would not a male (own son excepted), so ingrained is that mentality.

I think it would be nice to see straight couples or close friends feel comfortable to do that, rather than being 'stared' at in Malls as most blokes would of two men holding hands in the Uk.

Holding hands is not necessarily a pre-cursor to jumping into bed together, it is often a sign of friendship, but as I say it all depends on the culture you're from & what is considered 'normal' to you.

In my opinion, a couple should not have to be married to partake of such an 'act'.

However, I respect the culture here, so comply when with a female friend!

By britexpat• 25 Aug 2008 19:17
Rating: 5/5
britexpat

Bangladeshis, Sri-Lankans.. etc etc

Without taking this to a too serious level.. Its all to do with culture. Comfortable personal distances. We in the West prefer to have certain accepted boundaries for proximity. This is different in Eastern and Asian cultures.

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 19:16
anonymous

unless we're naked, then it might mean something. May be. Don't forget the nudists....ah to be a nudist in over a 100 degree weather!

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 19:10
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

are you sure its all over Asia? its just indians i see holding hands wit each other (pa-sway sway pa). filipino guys dont do it, is very gay!

and its ok to hold hands for women (whatever race). 'tis a friendly thing.

By janeyjaney• 25 Aug 2008 19:01
janeyjaney

Bik.. all over Asia? Are you sure about that?

-------------------------------------------------

╬ Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox ╬

By janeyjaney• 25 Aug 2008 19:01
janeyjaney

Labda.. go!! Look for your thingy!! You're running late!! LOL

-------------------------------------------------

╬ Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox ╬

By Bik Mety• 25 Aug 2008 18:59
Rating: 5/5
Bik Mety

You must have never been to an Asian country.

All over Asia, men hold hands with other men. Women holding hands is also very normal.

You cannot avoid seeing them and almost certainly they are not gay or lesbian.

That's not to say that there are no gay or lesbians, but if there are you usually can tell by their body languge - not by whether or not they are holding hands with the same sex.

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 18:52
anonymous

but you don't find people eating each others' tongues in public in france strange??

hahahaha when I read this about choked. Damn! I missed that part. That's what I get for looking at the Eiffel Tower instead of watching ground level. hee hee

By labda06• 25 Aug 2008 18:15
labda06

hahahahaha, how would you like to be fried luv???!!!

"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie

By Dracula• 25 Aug 2008 18:14
Rating: 2/5
Dracula

to the corner!

Now!

By janeyjaney• 25 Aug 2008 18:14
janeyjaney

Labda was actually asking about Charan.. where is he? Anyone..?

-------------------------------------------------

╬ Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox ╬

By labda06• 25 Aug 2008 18:08
labda06

(deleted for misbehaving and hijacking)

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 17:50
anonymous

Do they hold hands when cold? Is it the right or the left?

I need to follow up on that one, with my confession booth journal.

I hear St. Patrick was an Englishman!"

By lovinni• 25 Aug 2008 16:41
Rating: 4/5
lovinni

now heero u've heard the comments, try to have a nice sleep from now on.

its their culture...

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.  ~Charles Schulz

By Dracula• 25 Aug 2008 16:30
Rating: 4/5
Dracula

congraz!

your first serious and good threat in QL!

By Arien• 25 Aug 2008 16:17
Arien

Looks like you checking how feasible it is in Qatar//// LOL

____________________________________________________

It Takes 72 Muscles to Frown...And Only 14 To Smile.

: ) Keep Smiling : )

By recycledgoat• 25 Aug 2008 16:09
recycledgoat

not enuf chicks 2 hold hands with...so they get desperate...

or maybe they r twins who hv nt been detached yet

By Oryx• 25 Aug 2008 16:09
Oryx

ohhh hero never go to Manchester you will just have a heart attack from the stuff there if you think holding hands is radical

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 16:06
mjamille28

reasonable explanation, that is..........

By King Edshel• 25 Aug 2008 16:03
Rating: 4/5
King Edshel

mostly are around National and they go there to meet new friends ... The thing is, do you want him to spend the whole day there looking for a friend and in the end let go of him? He gotta hold his hand to make sure that he is not running anywhere ... :D

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Gautama Buddha)

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 16:01
mjamille28

if they dont allow opposite sexes to hold hands in public, how come i see some people doing it?

By owen• 25 Aug 2008 15:58
Rating: 4/5
owen

this is the end result for not allowing holding hands in public for opposite sex.. :P

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 15:55
mjamille28

lol panda.. do you always lol yourself??

By janeyjaney• 25 Aug 2008 15:48
Rating: 4/5
janeyjaney

You know heero.. it's fine if you want to do it too. Whatever floats your boat! Don't keep it in.. after all it may cause you depression or rather some emotional issues. Do what you heart tells you.. Let it out, I say!

-------------------------------------------------

╬ Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox ╬

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:44
panda

LOL...

PANDA

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 15:44
mjamille28

just leave 'em be heero,.. if they're happy with that, no use asking yourself why they do that.... must be culture or something...

By janeyjaney• 25 Aug 2008 15:42
janeyjaney

Maybe everybody in India is gay and it's bothering our buddy heero!! Uh-oh!! And no I'm not generalizing!!

Cyber cops!! Don't arrest me!! I'm innocent!!

-------------------------------------------------

╬ Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox ╬

By yunis02• 25 Aug 2008 15:42
yunis02

kissing each others noses, wots wrong with it? its a part of a culture. i dont wanna give examples from other cultures. Just respect other's culture

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:42
Rating: 3/5
panda

better nose to nose than ear to ear...

PANDA

By Doctora• 25 Aug 2008 15:40
Doctora

nose to nose kissing, men only do it by the way

and come on there is nothing wrong with it :-)

By britexpat• 25 Aug 2008 15:39
britexpat

When I was in India, I saw men holding hands everywhere. Does that make them all gay ? Its a cultural thing..

By the way, Husband and wife are allowed to hold hands in Qatar and even in Saudi..

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 15:37
mjamille28

lol panda, tig.. nobody can stop me from singing...

By Gypsy• 25 Aug 2008 15:37
Gypsy

I was being facetious (spelling) Doctora. Actually I figure it's just cause there are no women here to hold hands with!

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:35
Rating: 2/5
panda

*Alexa..

PANDA

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:35
Rating: 3/5
panda

LOL Alex!!! yeah especially nose to nose..

PANDA

By janeyjaney• 25 Aug 2008 15:33
janeyjaney

LOL at Nathan.. yea, how did it feel first time you landed here in Qatar for a job?! I bet you felt hundreds, hey!!!

-------------------------------------------------

╬ Somebody's Heine' is crowdin' my icebox ╬

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:33
Rating: 4/5
panda

Jamy, bcoz i'm JIN ! i follow you wherever you go! >:|

PANDA

By Tigasin321• 25 Aug 2008 15:33
Tigasin321

Show me a Filipina who isn't always singing and I will show you a fraud.

Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about

By yunis02• 25 Aug 2008 15:32
yunis02

Well i dont exactly what are u talking about, you seem understanding nothing. In arab and islamic countries this gesture implies nothing bad.Try not look at it from a western angle.

By doha_astig• 25 Aug 2008 15:31
Rating: 5/5
doha_astig

but you don't find people eating each others' tongues in public in france strange??

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away."

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 15:30
mjamille28

lol panda, how'd you know i'm always singing?

By Doctora• 25 Aug 2008 15:30
Doctora

Gypsy said Because if they hold hands with women they'll be arrested and lashed.

No they won't, we're not in Saudi...

By heero_yuy2• 25 Aug 2008 15:29
heero_yuy2

LOL

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

By heero_yuy2• 25 Aug 2008 15:24
heero_yuy2

LOL

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 15:22
Rating: 3/5
anonymous

It does take time to get used to. I still haven't, but I'm sure I will eventually.

By Gypsy• 25 Aug 2008 15:21
Rating: 3/5
Gypsy

Because if they hold hands with women they'll be arrested and lashed.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:21
Rating: 5/5
panda

no jamy bcoz u always singing dont have time to see

PANDA

By heero_yuy2• 25 Aug 2008 15:20
heero_yuy2

How touching. They came to a loving country to make love. ROFL

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 15:19
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

he might have seen some group dances...somewhere near Corniche..

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 15:18
mjamille28

lol panda,... must be fags...

By panda• 25 Aug 2008 15:17
Rating: 4/5
panda

evrywhere jamy! where ru living!!! on the moon

PANDA

By mjamille28• 25 Aug 2008 15:16
mjamille28

Men holding hands?? where? lol.........

By heero_yuy2• 25 Aug 2008 15:15
Rating: 2/5
heero_yuy2

Plenty of men 'round here are in love! LOL

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

By anonymous• 25 Aug 2008 15:11
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

first time I landed here for a job.....(Now How do you feel?)..

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.