Parents Beware - strange goings on in Ritz
Strange goings on in Ritz Carlton Hotel Swimming Pool!!!!
Parents beware!
My husband and I were at the Ritz Carlton pool last weekend and quite frankly were shocked by not only the goings on around the pool side but also by a story we heard!
Throughout the afternoon, we witnessed numerous drunken men "frolicking" in the pool with each other infront of all to see. Security staff at the hotel had to remove at least 2 guys that we saw during separate incidents.
The gathering of these "men" generally made us feel uncomfortable and their behaviour was not only hypocritical given the nature of the religious and cultural beliefs here in Qatar but also completely inappropriate where children are present.
I am in no way homophobic and couldn't care less what goes on behind closed doors but absolutely refuse to accept the behaviour of these immature, selfish and down right rude individuals who were drunk and couldn't care less about anyone else.
To add insult to injury, we then spoke to a family who were residing in the hotel. I was horrified to hear that earlier that week, two of their children had been inappropriately "touched" by a man as they passed by him under the tunnel which crosses the swimming pool. The children immediately told their parents what had happened and security staff removed one individual.
I just want to forewarn others as to the distrubing behaviour we witnessed last weekend and hopefully prevent any child falling prey to any perverts out there.
Doha prides itself on being a safe place to live but over the past few weeks, I've seen a different Doha.
alivenwell - you took the trouble to register just to post that ridiculous comment? I suggest you don't bother next time.
An inappropriate behaviour in the public, alcohol may be the cause. This environment usually do not prevails so commonly any where in the world unless some people think that they cannot be restricted.
who is Blanche?
Ah Blanche but you are a prude and a gossip. Were they your kids being touched and if so maybe you should keep an eye on them instead of listening to some other neglegtful Mom dishing on "people" having some fun. Righto, if they were staight folk, it would have been another story as I am sure you are guilty of some PDA. I understand security asked them to leave so YES, the hotel handled the situation. What, do you live in a bubble? Go back to your UK where no one is safe.
Alex, it's my kids who shop. I'm just their driver and drop them off. I hate shopping but I love to buy things I want.
Yeah, you're right. If somebody's hanging on to it, he is very close to it. Anyway, I have to take my kids to Villagio now. Wish I could do ironing instead. But my wife just won't drive here. Can you imagine that she rode a motorbike in Germany for 15 years, and she is afraid to drive in Qatar?
"rumhaengen" is the German description of your state.
but you're "hanging" somehow, Alexa.
no, Alexa, had to pick up Suzanne at ASD. Lost the track somehow.
although I did see some in there, on the one occasion I was in the bar since coming back, who didn't look like they were OLD enough to drink.
We seemed to be the only non-locals in there too lol Felt really weird!
Parents can either wait for the hotel to address the problem, or they can take their children to a pool that is away from drunk locals.
I heard the horror stories from the Ramada too. Apparently there was a lot of damage caused one afternoon when one of the new recruits had a few too many and there was a bit of misbehaving.
Sad thing Jauntie is the guys causing the problems at the Ramada were a fair bit older then 18.
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the law in Qatar was changed to allow locals to drink in the bars here.
I arrived back to find The Ramada had changed it's rules for members of The Cabana Club to state that NO MEMBER under the age of 18 is allowed to bring guests to the swimming pool.
They had also quit opening The Sports Bar at midday. They also took out the pool tables (something to do with people leaping over them) :D
I asked why the changes and no-one really wanted to say much, but basically there had been 'some problems'.
The changes seemed to follow on within a few weeks of the 'lads' being allowed access to the bars.
Sounds like The Ritz maybe should make the same 'no guests to members under 18' rule also, if it gets out of hand (as they say) ;)
Alcohol doesn't really go well with many things, at least not the point of view of observers.
Anyone can witness things happening in bars where people have had a bit too much and start to behave inappropriately. But when it happens in a bar, people are happy to turn a blind eye, since this is more or less what you'd expect in such an environment.
It can't then be that surprising that similar things will happen in an outdoor bar. And this is why children aren't allowed in bars.
What is interesting about this case is that it seems that the security and staff present at the hotel are well aware of what is happening and who is responsible, but don't seem to be willing to address the problem.
I certainly wouldn't like the idea of letting children play around a bar area, especially not here in the Gulf where adults don't seem to behave as responsibly when they are drinking as adult do back home.
I agree with Andrew
BTW Alexa and janey can i join either of ur groups? Even i wanna be in the group. Pls pls pls.
I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown
I saw this in Saudi also.. Alcohol and heat don't go well together.. People have to learn to be careful when drinking..
Yup brit, it is members only, so they can do what they'd like.
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I know plenty of gay guys here in Doha. Qatari, arab, western, there are plenty here. Don't be so naive to think that they don't exist here. They're here just like they are in any country.
I think it's in pretty bad taste that people would behave this way in a public place.
But then it's a tough line to draw when it comes to the service of alcohol in a 'family' environment. I'm not making excuses for anyone here, and had it been a heterosexual couple behaving this way it would be equally inappropriate.
However, when the hotel designates a place for the consumption of alcohol, it becomes very tough to say that it is also a place where people can take their children. I don't like the idea of people consuming alcohol in the presence of small children either, and if the hotel is insistent that the bar by the pool remains open, then perhaps they should rething whether or not children should be allowed to play near there.
Certainly in many other countries there are very strict laws about the cross over between where alcohol can be served/consumed, and recreational facilities for children.
Is the Ritz carlton pool a members only (pardon the pun)..
If it is, then people (both expat and local) may treat it as a private area, where they belive that police or public will not bother them..
I'm sorry, Alex. I couldn't connect. (Server down or something). I hope you survived.
Kareena, expat homosexuals are too afraid to do it, alcohol or no, because there afraid of being jailed and deported. Locals however aren't scared of that, because if you're local and you're caught your head is shaved. That's all that happens to you.
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people loose their inhabitions.... and tell me, do you really think cause homosexuality is haram in islam, that there are no gays in the faith?
Sorry that your illusions have been shattered.... I have seen this behaviour to, but at 4 Seasons, and yes, they were local as the local I was with knew the culprits....
"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME
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that I got no swimming pool in my house ... as much as i want, will ask them to build one for only one purpose .. I want you to be my guest of honor, the one who will open it by jumping there and no one would ever see you again :D
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Gautama Buddha)
need help, eh, Alexa.
is busy at work banging his head on the table when to get home and who will cook for him
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i only know the screams of the Toyota gal that you harassed :D
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I have the right to stay!!
how did you know MagicDragon is fat i mean i know he is one of headbanger with a glowing head like Flan
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were there that time ... Gals run away long time ago .. with such behavior? Nah ... I don't want to try ... otherwise i will find myself somewhere else accused by using extreme force to defend myself. Guess that you can't run away with smacking someone's face or jaw ...
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Gautama Buddha)
seems you're trying to kick everybody out now, Alex?
cool down cool down both of you my dear chums
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is there a minimum weight required? Mine is 690 Newton.
parents should accompany the kids when they are at the pool for their safety... when u say kids these kids r suppose to be in the kids pool not in the pool with drunk people.
I'll start my own in crowd in that case. Anybody interested?
that those two men were Arabs? Homosexuality is haram in our religion Islam and I can't believe that local Muslim men would actually behave this way that too at a public place. The laws in Qatar are very strict and if anyone is caught in an act of homosexuality, they would be put behind bars. Knowing this, why would two local men risk their lives? Perhaps they were visitors who probably were not aware of the culture and custom in Qatar.
But I want to be in with the in crowd!
First of all can I just say I am not 120kg! I have to blame someone else for my actions, it's part of my culture
1 year ago the doc told you when you were 90kg and now you are 120 all just coz of chocolate :D
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Caught!
Its that Chocolate bar in your home making you gain weight where as the doc did tell you staaaaaaaay awaaaaaaaay from that. :/
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In that case, what's my excuse? Who is corrupting me? I seriously HAVE to stop eating MacDonalds, I have gained weight since it opened in Dukhan. I will blame QL Westerners, I used to be thin!
The hotpants lady wasn't Western.
"ah...the immorality of the world...men frolicking, women in shorts...where will it all lead??????"
Read "ah...the immorality of the WESTERN world...men frolicking, women in shorts...where will it all lead??????"
Its all our fault for been immoral, corruptable drunks :P
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
You know where it will end. We share their passports!!
I am aware that I have become a bit prudish in the years I have been here. At Heathrow buying magazines I was shocked by Zoo etc, didn't know where to look!
U mean like the Mariah Carrey Hot pants eh??
I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown
Alexa, I am not a prude but seriously, you could see her bum! Not the slimmest girl either...
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
Well...not that I'm sticking up for the Brits....the trouble I have witnessed of late is largely coming from local guys who cannot handle alcohol and get out of control. I've heard that fights on the first floor bar in the Ramada are a common occurance.
Yuuucky!! Ewwwwwwwwwww!!!
I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown
I agree with that. It is inconsiderate and rude to flout the rules of the country you are in. Sorry to digress but the other day there was a lady in Villagio with these shorts on, more revealing than if she had gone out in her underwear. I am used to this being English but could see the upset it was causing to families walking by who were so embarrassed. I almost told her to go home and change.
We (husband and I) complained to staff about the behaviour of these guys, as did others. As for the story we heard from the parents of the kids involved.....they'd already made a complaint and this was not our "situation" to get involved in. I am just forwarning others as to what we heard.
Yep - you bet! If a guy was touching his girlfriend, wife, whatever in a sexual way infront of children in a public place, I'd consider that equally offensive. As I said.....I am not homophobic.
I think that the two issues should not be discussed in the same context. The first may have been irritating to you and possibly a little intimidating. The second is very serious and should be reported. Why did the security not call the police? If he was simply kicked out other children could be at risk.
Homosexuality, drunkeness, rudeness and a general lack of consideration for others are not the same as touching a child. Otherwise, my home county Dorset UK would be a very dangerous place indeed.
Pools are for fun for sure Gypsy. Not this kind of behaviour though! Grown men prancing around like "Queens". Touching each other and drunk out their skulls without regard for the little kids around them. I'm no prude believe me but I do have morals and standards - these guys didn't.
Would you have been outraged if it was men and women instead of just men?
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Actually it is a dead serious issue, and I wonder why you did not go straight to the General Manager or even involved the police.
expecting the usual "drunken Brits again, causing trouble" sketch that we seem to see on here every day.
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
Not that it matters but I think I get your point. These guys were local and I know this because the waiting staff told us. My point wasn't to get into a "them and us" ie expats v locals scenario - I'd be equally outraged if it had been ANYONE of ANY race/creed/colour.
did you see there are 2 pools i think with bars inside at side of them.
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I used to go for a drink in the Watering Hole bar on the mezzanine level of the Sheraton Hotel.
There are usually a good number of Chinese prostitutes there, but I have never seen them doing any business. The place is instead full of guys who seem to like the company (and feel) of other guys better. I find such things in public to be quite disgusting ... but in a hotel swimming pool rather than the bar, well its just unaccceptable...to me at least.
i never seen such thing yea heard gals being harassed but kids too now weird.
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Well I'm not sure what pools are for if not frolicking.
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MP....!! They were blue, drunk.
No idea to be honest. My point was that the behaviour of the "men" was not suitable for children and then we also heard of this story. I wasn't implying that the two were linked but was merely highlighting that there appears to be bad behaviour going on and at the same hotel.
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
"frolicking"
It wasn't me!!
(Puff, the MagicDragon, frolicks in the Sea..")
Are you sure the man who was touching the children were the same ones who were frolicking in the pool?
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