One of the first things most people do when they get their RP is to go to the Qatar Distribution Centre (QDC) to buy booze" - MOST! Really? Maybe the 3 white guys he's met since he arrived ?
Well said B2D !! his idea of people are those who can afford such luxury, the rest arent just a member of what they call "people".
Or perhaps the PR department at the Qatar Tourism Authority wrote it, and had it published in a UK paper to try and attract tourists and expat workers?It does seem inconceivable that anyone with at least 1 working eyeball would fail to see the number of Asians working in the country.
"And for some inexplicable reason there are also dozens and dozens of variations of whisky and whiskey. All priced to sell." - All priced to sell to Asian expatriates who, would you believe, like a tipple too!That was my first thought when I read that line too Baldrick. Did he not notice the Indians, Chinese, Filipino's, etc in line. Asians love whiskey.
"They are typically the sort of places you would take your mother-in-law on her 80th birthday celebration – all dour and salty nuts" - I guess he's done the Ramada sports bar then?"The urge to party is also tempered by the zero drinking and driving policy. If you are caught driving after drinking and you record anything over zero on a breathalyser, it can land you in jail for a few years" - It can do pretty much the same in UK. Ever heard of taxis and doing the sensible thing? I don't drink and drive in UK, so why the heck would I even consider it here?"With RP in hand you can do just about anything, including leave the country" - But only with an exit permit - Guess he hasn't got that far yet?"One of the first things most people do when they get their RP is to go to the Qatar Distribution Centre (QDC) to buy booze" - MOST! Really? Maybe the 3 white guys he's met since he arrived?"As the majority of the expats in Doha seem to be from the UK or Australia," - Errrr, India, Pakistan, Philippines? Some people (Newbie Western expats) think all expats are western."And for some inexplicable reason there are also dozens and dozens of variations of whisky and whiskey. All priced to sell." - All priced to sell to Asian expats who, would you believe, like a tipple too!"After all, I have been warned that not only is the really hot weather coming, but that no one – not hotel bars or the Qatar Distribution Centre – sells any alcohol during the month-long Ramadan, that falls in August this year. Which of course just happens to be prime “beer on the patio” weather." - Aw, Diddums, you've come to a predominantly Muslim country. Deal with it....And...Since when is August prime sitting outside weather????That pulled apart enough for you JJJ?
Good point... maybe he hasn't. And assuming he's a Brit, I would doubt his ability to tolerate even a mild evening's heat on a balcony. The Brits I know begin to melt at 29 degrees, and combust at 38.
The only thing in there that is blantantly not factual is the statement that most of the expats are from Britain or Australia. Is he one of those people who can't actually see the Asian populations?Other than that, everything else is factually accurate to me.
balders - in what way is this biased and there is plenty of fact in there. Going to QDC, needing an RP, drinking at hotels only etc?? The only thing I can quibble is that he has painted a slightly rosey glow on certain things
Thank you HGL, that was very gracious of you to say that, there are not many people here on QL who would be prepared to admit that openly. Credit where credit is due but please in the future, don't judge people due to past experiences, not everyone is the same, despite having similar culturual backgrounds, I will also endeavour to continue to do likewise
jjj75...in the first run read cursorily upto the words New York or London and until there some where it talks about the high price etc and with the background that generally Qatar is criticized when there is a talk of alcohol consumption, assumed would be the same old rant.... anyways, after reading it full length seems for a change it is on different lines and obviously then my first reaction and thereafter was wrong ...so my aplologies.
The point is, if you read HGL's first comment he had already assumed a lot. Firstly that this guy was bound to be writing something very negative, in his words a 'rant' and then to make assumptions that that is what I was doing.
However, as I pointed out, it only served to actually highlight his own prejudices - and yes HGL that is what I will call it - because he clearly has a preconceived idea of what I myself and the western media think about Qatar and none of it is particularly positive. He had made assumptions without bothering to check facts.
I think the most "negative" thing he said was his description of the bars, and if I have to be honest I think he was being a little generous in his description of them. They're much worse than he described.
Perhaps the editors at The Telegraph corrected his error when he wrote that you CAN'T leave the country once you get your exit permit.While the article is mostly waffle, it can hardly be described as 'a rant' or even negative. Indeed he goes as far as saying that Qatar is "just shy of heaven". That's what most would call praise, not criticism.
HGL - did you actually read this article or are you assuming that some expat has come here to complain about the countries strict alcohol laws and then writes an article on it (and a rather poor article at that).
He was not particularly negative - more factual and if you call stating facts as prejudice, I suggest that YOU need to look up the definition in the dictionary!
jjj75....reading u since yesterday I can rather safely say that the balance of being prejudiced is tilting more in your favor... whatever isnt to your liking or thinking is slapped with being prejuduiced...hope u actually understand what it means (dictionary meaning....)
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.
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!
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.
lol @ "....that anyone with at least 1 working eyeball...."...
One of the first things most people do when they get their RP is to go to the Qatar Distribution Centre (QDC) to buy booze" - MOST! Really? Maybe the 3 white guys he's met since he arrived ?
Well said B2D !! his idea of people are those who can afford such luxury, the rest arent just a member of what they call "people".
Or perhaps the PR department at the Qatar Tourism Authority wrote it, and had it published in a UK paper to try and attract tourists and expat workers?It does seem inconceivable that anyone with at least 1 working eyeball would fail to see the number of Asians working in the country.
As I said, I have a suspicioso that whomever wrote that article has not actually been to Qatar!
"And for some inexplicable reason there are also dozens and dozens of variations of whisky and whiskey. All priced to sell." - All priced to sell to Asian expatriates who, would you believe, like a tipple too!That was my first thought when I read that line too Baldrick. Did he not notice the Indians, Chinese, Filipino's, etc in line. Asians love whiskey.
"They are typically the sort of places you would take your mother-in-law on her 80th birthday celebration – all dour and salty nuts" - I guess he's done the Ramada sports bar then?"The urge to party is also tempered by the zero drinking and driving policy. If you are caught driving after drinking and you record anything over zero on a breathalyser, it can land you in jail for a few years" - It can do pretty much the same in UK. Ever heard of taxis and doing the sensible thing? I don't drink and drive in UK, so why the heck would I even consider it here?"With RP in hand you can do just about anything, including leave the country" - But only with an exit permit - Guess he hasn't got that far yet?"One of the first things most people do when they get their RP is to go to the Qatar Distribution Centre (QDC) to buy booze" - MOST! Really? Maybe the 3 white guys he's met since he arrived?"As the majority of the expats in Doha seem to be from the UK or Australia," - Errrr, India, Pakistan, Philippines? Some people (Newbie Western expats) think all expats are western."And for some inexplicable reason there are also dozens and dozens of variations of whisky and whiskey. All priced to sell." - All priced to sell to Asian expats who, would you believe, like a tipple too!"After all, I have been warned that not only is the really hot weather coming, but that no one – not hotel bars or the Qatar Distribution Centre – sells any alcohol during the month-long Ramadan, that falls in August this year. Which of course just happens to be prime “beer on the patio” weather." - Aw, Diddums, you've come to a predominantly Muslim country. Deal with it....And...Since when is August prime sitting outside weather????That pulled apart enough for you JJJ?
exactly, that's what started me off thinking there was something fishy going on!!!
Good point... maybe he hasn't. And assuming he's a Brit, I would doubt his ability to tolerate even a mild evening's heat on a balcony. The Brits I know begin to melt at 29 degrees, and combust at 38.
Fubar, what makes you think that it was written by anyone who has even been here come to that?
The only thing in there that is blantantly not factual is the statement that most of the expats are from Britain or Australia. Is he one of those people who can't actually see the Asian populations?Other than that, everything else is factually accurate to me.
balders - in what way is this biased and there is plenty of fact in there. Going to QDC, needing an RP, drinking at hotels only etc?? The only thing I can quibble is that he has painted a slightly rosey glow on certain things
Thank you HGL, that was very gracious of you to say that, there are not many people here on QL who would be prepared to admit that openly. Credit where credit is due but please in the future, don't judge people due to past experiences, not everyone is the same, despite having similar culturual backgrounds, I will also endeavour to continue to do likewise
"Factual"? I think not. Biased, yes
jjj75...in the first run read cursorily upto the words New York or London and until there some where it talks about the high price etc and with the background that generally Qatar is criticized when there is a talk of alcohol consumption, assumed would be the same old rant.... anyways, after reading it full length seems for a change it is on different lines and obviously then my first reaction and thereafter was wrong ...so my aplologies.
The point is, if you read HGL's first comment he had already assumed a lot. Firstly that this guy was bound to be writing something very negative, in his words a 'rant' and then to make assumptions that that is what I was doing.
However, as I pointed out, it only served to actually highlight his own prejudices - and yes HGL that is what I will call it - because he clearly has a preconceived idea of what I myself and the western media think about Qatar and none of it is particularly positive. He had made assumptions without bothering to check facts.
I think the most "negative" thing he said was his description of the bars, and if I have to be honest I think he was being a little generous in his description of them. They're much worse than he described.
Perhaps the editors at The Telegraph corrected his error when he wrote that you CAN'T leave the country once you get your exit permit.While the article is mostly waffle, it can hardly be described as 'a rant' or even negative. Indeed he goes as far as saying that Qatar is "just shy of heaven". That's what most would call praise, not criticism.
HGL - did you actually read this article or are you assuming that some expat has come here to complain about the countries strict alcohol laws and then writes an article on it (and a rather poor article at that).
He was not particularly negative - more factual and if you call stating facts as prejudice, I suggest that YOU need to look up the definition in the dictionary!
jjj75....reading u since yesterday I can rather safely say that the balance of being prejudiced is tilting more in your favor... whatever isnt to your liking or thinking is slapped with being prejuduiced...hope u actually understand what it means (dictionary meaning....)
HGL
usual rant about what? I think you have just shown up your own prejudices - NICE ONE!
Just a couple of opening lines and guess its the same usual rant...
Yes, that is one lazy journo with nothing better to write about
I didn't realize you could leave the country once you got an RP without an Exit Permit.
I didn't realise that Australians actually drank Fosters :O(
As I commented when this came up in the Qatar News section of QL. Crap reporting from a crap reporter.