locals ... nationals .... qataris ...

iaiden LOL! u crack me up

I think Qatar's major issue is boredom. Don't give me that "Well you have to find something to do". I have plenty of things to do and Im sure many of you are the same. But the lack of entertainment here is perplexing. Art shows? Really? I appreciate art as much as the next person, but from my experience, I don't see many people (locals especially) interested in these cultural activities. Most people here seem to think shopping is the ultimate thrill. Another thing is the lack of respect on the roads. Locals (Im Qatari so I know) have no patience whatsoever and it's extremely frustrating driving around here. Oh and the Qatari women, good lord..

Just to clarify something that some expats seem to deny and Qataris seems to point out first.

We know that Qatar has becomes a better place with you expats coming to work here...but I am willing to bet ALLLLL THAT I HAVE that bettering Qatar is NOT the number one motivator for any expats coming to Doha...it's a side effect....and this is a fact that all Qataris, cultured or otherwise know...so we absolutely despise the attitude of "u need us" type...you have ur reasons to be here and they are all VALID and Good...financial issues, job security, family or whatever, but we BOTH need each other....if both parties always remember that, things would go a lot smoother around here.

Seeking for a qatari to sponsor me to qatar

more than I have ever been in my entire life, and as I always say, if not Mecca or Medina, then I'd gladly breath my last here, In Sha Allah.

Yes there surely are trials, not to mention trialing people from among both the locals and expats, but nothing I find abnormal and grossly-unique(yes there is such a term!) to only Qatar. Rather I prefer to focus on how to alter, remedy and overcome these adversities and adversaries, whatever and whoever they maybe.

As for helping locals, then I can say with all honesty both my family and I have met many wonderful locals who have not only helped us greatly, but have inspired us to do the same for others which IMO is truly an excellent affair indeed!

Antwerp, You are right. Every nationality has good and bad.

Here the question is why so much of expartiates have negatives about the country and it's people??

Yes, I've been flashed by LCs and Patrols. I don't let it bother me. I just move over as soon as it's safe to do so..

No altercations .. :O)

Turbo, that's just too much to ask for, I mean the citizenship issue.

I think if they can remove the 2 year ban, scrap the exit permit system, ensure better salaries/treatment for the maids/labourers, then there won't much for us to complain.

While I am grateful that Qatar allowed me to come and work here, they didn't do it out of the kindness of their hearts!

They let me come work here because they need highly skilled workers like me & I came here because I needed a job after being made redundant in the UK.

As Marco said to get respect you need to treat the workers with respect wether they are labourers or lawyers!

No matter what your job we are all slaves to the Kafala system and liable to be kicked out the country at a moments notice no matter how long you have been here.

If Qatar really wants the respect of its expat citizens we should get the same rights as you do in normal countries. i.e. the freedom to change jobs and the opportunity to become Qatari citizen as you do in most countries. If they allowed that I think you would find a'lot more expats willing to invest in Qatar and not be so negative as they would feel part of the country instead of the visitors we currently are!

Brit I agree with what you said, But seriously you have never been tailgated or flashed by a Land Cruiser :-0 I can't believe it haha

This is to quote I read in some other thread. No body called us here. We came here on our own accord. They did not promise to give us royal treatment either. They can fire us and hire ten others at even lower wages. High wage or low wage all expats are just their servants. Lastly if you don't like it, leave it. Understand this concept and your life will be much happier.

Q.C,

In general, as Brit & TB mentioned above, the nationals are good abd better in many cases. But the labour system here also would have been better if the exit permit / 2 year ban rule are being amended to something simialr in Dubai.

Also the plight of the blue colour workers should change. The labour supply companies should be banned not only from Qatar but from GCC.

As Marko mentioned the expartiates are here for a reason. To make this country better and to make a living out of it.

So mutual trust, respect and work freedom, shall be there in order to get Qatar the international applause.

I think its all the same. it defends on the perception of a person.

I'm still building my self ...I do away negatives vibes!...I smile to locals either they frown..I smile to my misfortune less its my mistake! Otherwise it's my life here...

what's difference between locals, nationals & qataris?

ain't they one and the same?

MarcoNandoz-01: I am doing that and other are. I also hope that everyone does and one day this issue will be solves with the support from both nationals expads and the low paid workers

Qatari_class : you are right. Give the low-paid workers the right and respect they deserve as human beings, and you will gain back some respect.

I agree with you but there is a lot of people out ther working to make Qatar a better place for all us locals expads and everyone else

give respect to gain respect.

I thank expads for their help and support and we need their help and they also need us so if everyone does what he is supposed to do everything will be fine

i ve seen both cultured and uncultured locals.

sadly sometimes uncultured people tend to outnumber the cultured fellas!

oh i like qatar as it has broadened my vision big time!

Marconandoz

Do you get paid to talk out of your bum or do you do it voluntarily?

That’s right TB: On the other hand this country too, should thank the Expat community for being an integral force in the development of their country, by abolishing inhumane laws, like the sponsorship system.

yes I met 75% of them are nice and only 5% of them do bad(on street). I went inside their house. like britexpat said is the rest.

The Modern Slavery System “ Kafala”.

The horrible living conditions of low-paid labors.

The terrible crumbling accommodations, in which low-paid workers are crammed in, around the industrial area, which has faced severe international criticism, are some of the most negative things about this country.

britexpat Its always nice to look at the positive side and give it the attenting that we give to the negative side.

tinkerbell10 it good to know that its generally positive. Hope it becomes most usually positive and rarely negative

It is not so black and white.

Expats in general are whiners. We tend to focus on the negative and less so on the positives :O)

My personal experience in Qatar has been generaly positive. Having said that I have also seen and witnessed a number of very negative things.

I have been helped by local Qataris when my stupid 4X4 got stuck on the beach.

I haven't had the driving problems that many experience and never been involved in an altercation with a Land cruiser.

I have got into a few arguments at cash tills because a local tried to push into the head of the queue.

I have seen singles of a certain colour barred from shopping malls.

I have visited the Industrial area and labourer accomodations and seen the horresndous living conditions they have to endure.

I have known workers who have not been paid for months and who are unable to have their voices heard.

I have given help to an old Asian expat who was collapsed on the side street and did not have money to eat because his "kafeel" hadn't paid him.

So one MAJOR issue and all the other things are postive and alright?