Stop comparing Qatar (and GCC) to France, China or any other country where english is not widely accepted.
Qatar DEPENDS on the majority expatriate workforce to keep it going. NOT SO with those other countries.
Infact Qatari govt. officials should learn to communicate in English (most expats have at least a basic understanding of the language)
The recent move to change vehicle number plates is a step in the right direction. The young Qatari recruits at Doha airport immigration have very good english and positive attitude. Again, kudos!
Eg: Observe when you are standing in line at Dubai airport immigration. The airport police, customs officers and immigration officers try to talk asian expats in hindi, tagalog etc. Why? Nobody asked them to, but they know they can speed up things by doing so. Customer service.
Personally, I have no interest in the language and culture of this region. I'm just here to work, and I can do it effectively in English. However I do agree that it would be beneficial in (non work related) situations to be able to converse in Arabic. Having lived and worked in various parts of the world I have picked up many languages (basic understanding and conversation skills). However that has not happened here in Qatar. Why you may ask. It's simply because I don't have arabic speaking friends here, where as in other places the locals are keen to socialize and mix with expats, it does not happen here.
Stop comparing Qatar (and GCC) to France, China or any other country where english is not widely accepted.
Qatar DEPENDS on the majority expatriate workforce to keep it going. NOT SO with those other countries.
Infact Qatari govt. officials should learn to communicate in English (most expats have at least a basic understanding of the language)
The recent move to change vehicle number plates is a step in the right direction. The young Qatari recruits at Doha airport immigration have very good english and positive attitude. Again, kudos!
Eg: Observe when you are standing in line at Dubai airport immigration. The airport police, customs officers and immigration officers try to talk asian expats in hindi, tagalog etc. Why? Nobody asked them to, but they know they can speed up things by doing so. Customer service.
Personally, I have no interest in the language and culture of this region. I'm just here to work, and I can do it effectively in English. However I do agree that it would be beneficial in (non work related) situations to be able to converse in Arabic. Having lived and worked in various parts of the world I have picked up many languages (basic understanding and conversation skills). However that has not happened here in Qatar. Why you may ask. It's simply because I don't have arabic speaking friends here, where as in other places the locals are keen to socialize and mix with expats, it does not happen here.