I could go on and on, and apparently that would mean deviating from the topic. I would not make much of an impact. And so I shall return to the “attitude”.
Judging by the entries of most the commentators on my post I could probably assume that most of them except for a select few actually know what is the prevalent “attitude”. In short they are not content with it. Yes they say it would bring about loads of good, but they feel the bad will definitely outweigh it all. In fact they feel bad for how it is now due to the apparent looks of “invading foreigners”, taking everything from jobs to residential areas. Changing cultural norms and other factors that were quite alien (for e.g.: cannibalism of laborers!) not too long ago are a point of major concern for them.
In fact I am lucky to have some of them as close friends who admit that the country would come to a standstill if it weren’t for these foreigners, but yet as they say in a popular Bedouin saying “everything that exceeds its limits, becomes sour!”. I happen to spend a lot of time conversing with them (but naturally I have no say and I am only enquiring with them when I ask them!).
Just a few days ago I was sitting in my neighbor’s Majlis tent and I rose up the issue. My neighbor’s friend commented by saying “May Allah protect us and our country!” and he had the cheerless look on his face and said “…..we really don’t know what to do. But all I can say is we hope it brings good and we shall face the bad.” They know the limits and capabilities available and the possible hardships and anti-social phenomena that might be resultant from the influx of people.
“Preferential treatment on queues”, “speeding land cruiser flashing lights from behind”, etc: these although minor are not helping. The landscape and skyline may change overnight but the cultural norms and also placate zone of the people here including the “attitude” leaves a lot to be doubted about.
I am sorry but apparently it’s obvious for those who are supporting the bid of the likes of some of those I mentioned have not been here long enough and only arrived here just a while ago to not miss and love Qatar for what it was. A true gem in the Middle East, the pearl of the Middle East in which it was so conveniently placed right in the middle. You would probably support the bid because you would probably leave the country when things would get (ultimately) messy, and not really appreciate this country for its real pleasant and characteristic charm that it was known for (sadly I would even contemplate relocation if things go haywire!) I hope through this reply I am not demonstrating my reluctance to change. I believe everything someday and someway will change and so will the country. But I sincerely hope it isn’t by aping others and being more and something unlike what it is and was! I am again highlighting that I will not be surprised if they do get it, (with FIFA being such a sarcastically honest organization!) but I really hope there are some real human beings in that organization who would think that it takes a lot more than money to have a credible World Cup event!
I would end my reply with a saying that I remember from a former British expatriate who was our neighbor long time ago. I remember him saying to my father, that this place was losing the reason why he loved it in the first place when he came in the early 1980’s. If it’s a question of aping foreign culture and westernization then I might as well go back to my country.
I could go on and on, and apparently that would mean deviating from the topic. I would not make much of an impact. And so I shall return to the “attitude”.
Judging by the entries of most the commentators on my post I could probably assume that most of them except for a select few actually know what is the prevalent “attitude”. In short they are not content with it. Yes they say it would bring about loads of good, but they feel the bad will definitely outweigh it all. In fact they feel bad for how it is now due to the apparent looks of “invading foreigners”, taking everything from jobs to residential areas. Changing cultural norms and other factors that were quite alien (for e.g.: cannibalism of laborers!) not too long ago are a point of major concern for them.
In fact I am lucky to have some of them as close friends who admit that the country would come to a standstill if it weren’t for these foreigners, but yet as they say in a popular Bedouin saying “everything that exceeds its limits, becomes sour!”. I happen to spend a lot of time conversing with them (but naturally I have no say and I am only enquiring with them when I ask them!).
Just a few days ago I was sitting in my neighbor’s Majlis tent and I rose up the issue. My neighbor’s friend commented by saying “May Allah protect us and our country!” and he had the cheerless look on his face and said “…..we really don’t know what to do. But all I can say is we hope it brings good and we shall face the bad.” They know the limits and capabilities available and the possible hardships and anti-social phenomena that might be resultant from the influx of people.
“Preferential treatment on queues”, “speeding land cruiser flashing lights from behind”, etc: these although minor are not helping. The landscape and skyline may change overnight but the cultural norms and also placate zone of the people here including the “attitude” leaves a lot to be doubted about.
I am sorry but apparently it’s obvious for those who are supporting the bid of the likes of some of those I mentioned have not been here long enough and only arrived here just a while ago to not miss and love Qatar for what it was. A true gem in the Middle East, the pearl of the Middle East in which it was so conveniently placed right in the middle. You would probably support the bid because you would probably leave the country when things would get (ultimately) messy, and not really appreciate this country for its real pleasant and characteristic charm that it was known for (sadly I would even contemplate relocation if things go haywire!) I hope through this reply I am not demonstrating my reluctance to change. I believe everything someday and someway will change and so will the country. But I sincerely hope it isn’t by aping others and being more and something unlike what it is and was! I am again highlighting that I will not be surprised if they do get it, (with FIFA being such a sarcastically honest organization!) but I really hope there are some real human beings in that organization who would think that it takes a lot more than money to have a credible World Cup event!
I would end my reply with a saying that I remember from a former British expatriate who was our neighbor long time ago. I remember him saying to my father, that this place was losing the reason why he loved it in the first place when he came in the early 1980’s. If it’s a question of aping foreign culture and westernization then I might as well go back to my country.
??????