Playing in the Gray
Seeing as it’s a religious season, you often hear more talk about God and faith. Which is all good. One thing that gets a tad annoying though, is that people will extoll their religiousness on one side, then quickly perform underhanded tactics on the other. Often you are left standing there thinking: “what the what?”.
It doesn’t matter the person’s faith, self-righteousness is everywhere. Giving people the confidence to do wrong, but never acknowledge it because they see themselves as being just so darn great. “Eye-roll”.
I call it playing in the gray. We know right from wrong. Especially these self-righteous folks. But, in order to manipulate, take advantage of people, and subtly cheat and lie, they do so ever so covertly and in a way where they can play innocent. For instance, they may not steal your hand bag and run - no they are much too good for stealing - but they’ll ask you to a fancy dinner… aaaand forget their wallet.
They take advantage of people’s trust. Often I don’t think these are clever con artists, no, more like narcissistic individuals who feel if they can get away with something, they will. But again, they genuinely regard themselves as perfect and will discuss their virtuousness and decency at every opportunity.
It’s hard to ever call these folks out on their bad behavior, because it is always just borderline naughty, never black or white wrong, just something in the middle. Somewhere in the gray.
I have mentioned this in previous articles, but I see this behavior a lot more with expats in Doha, than I have ever witnessed anywhere else. Maybe because everyone is far from “home” they let their unethical side run wild here - afterall no one really knows them.
Considering it is a religious season, I would hope that more of us, regardless of faith, take some time for inner reflection and redemption. Religion is not merely about actions and words. Intentions, integrity, and sincerity are also cornerstones of being faithful as well. Afterall, doesn’t faith/religiousness mean that at end of the day we are all still accountable to a higher power whom none can fool?
Think about that.
The above is an opinion article shared by a fellow QL'er. Do you have an opinion you would like to share about living in Doha? Send it to [email protected] and we can share it.
Mm: Haha wow such depth and feeling from you is new to us... While I would not bow down to any person or country, I agree that Qatar holds special love for its long time residents and we love it the way we love our own homelands... Well said:-)
Praise of Qatar won't come from any editor , it is voice of a dedicated & loyal resident .................. which is pure & above from any greed or fame ..............
Ata, A rose will always remain a rose ............... I bow to the soil of this nation .......... I can't repay the value of staying here even with all my life devoted to this place & people ..... I am indebted to this nation from my heart ... ... thousands of times ..............
I think MM should post an opinion article about his experience in Qatar... What say molten Bhai? :-)
Nice response @fahdaliabbas, you should submit an opinion article!!! ;)
PS: I love the picture. You must be an artist or a photographer.
Anyways, getting back to our dear Editor..
Clearly, it seems you might have encountered what one might describe as a "hypocrite". The kind that pretend to be "all righteous" but are really not.
Also, a true believer (from the religion belonging to the religious season) would never discuss his virtuousness and decency at every opportunity. In fact, he would probably go one step ahead and interrupt people glorifying his virtues, as he does it not to please the people themselves, but for a greater reason, a greater source.
When you say Expats, there couldn't possibly be a more vague description of these so called people, which I do agree with you, are very much out there. But let's not generalize them as expats, cuz that really is the majority population out here, and quite honestly even includes you, I'm pretty sure. Unless you're a local taking expats out to dinners, who don't carry their wallets (jus kidding).
My point is, it's a season of giving. The Almighty has been kind to most of these believers and a missed wallet although mischievous, shouldn't be concluded as anything but mischief. Maybe they have a bigger picture and a bigger feast in mind for the applicant. Give this guy the benefit of the doubt and tell him you wanna forget your wallet the next time, and he might probably step up to it. Either out of willingness or sheer embarrassment, either ways. ;-)
Uhh.. We kinda lost you there molten.
A specs wearing eye surgeon could be the best on this globe ...................
Brit, There is nothing wrong ........ if you drop somebody at the terminal & come back ................. { as you said .... preaching but not following }
If a teacher fights with his lazy wife and comes to teach you to Be Polite ........
Would not you learn a thing from him ? ..........
All faiths basically teach the same -
Be kind to others
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
However, we like to preach , but don't always follow our own words..