Americans Who Aren't Wanted In Qatar
I am American and have been in Qatar for almost one year. I admit, I was hesitant on moving here, America has made us terrified of the Middle East. But since moving here, my opinion of the Middle East has changed drastically. I love it here. I love it more than being in America. I have no problem following the customs here, this is your country, and I should be expected to follow your customs. I enjoy seeing how families in the Middle East are united and spend quality time together. Driving past the Corniche on a weekend and seeing the families in the parks spending time with one another, this is not something I see in America. This may be a desert country, but it is beautiful in my eyes. I am loving that I am witnessing this city grow with beautiful buildings, green grass, flowers. Just as there are some bad people in the Middle East, there are also good ones. The same goes for America. You have the good and the bad. People here are much more friendlier, they work harder, they are committed to their families being close. I know many, many, many Americans who have nothing good to say about the Middle East and to all of them, I say that they are blind. I tell them how pleasant it is here and that they should visit sometime. I truly believe Americans think the entire Middle East is nothing but terrorists. This is so far from the truth. I enjoy seeing so many Middle Easterners wearing their thobes and abayas. When I hear the call to prayer, it is beautiful music to my ears. I am lucky to be here in such a great country. Not all Americans are bad, I know I'm not.
I too lovethe place. If only the local peoplr were as nice, humble and considerate like the Omani's. This place would be even better.
Found a great website for Americans life in Qatar
www.americaninqatar.com/
Actually , My wife thought that they will bomb here when she reach here.
she ended up marrying a terrorist ;)
Since you are american .... i hate you and yes you are not welcomed here grrrrrr go :P
you are more than welcomed man , and it is nice what you stated above , and i hope you enjoy it.
It is nice to see such a positive posting.
and you need to educate yourself that not all Americans think this way. just small population of closed minded ones.
BTW there are over 200 mil. born in america muslims with middle eastern roots, do you think they are included in your thinking that Americans need to read up!!!
and it is not just some closed minded Americans but all over the world, you will find close minded ppl on any topic.
so I will say to all you readers, the OP made a positive post, and some of you are trolling, to turn it into a negative.
I have lots of American friends who live here and in USA, that do not think all mep are terrorists. very respectful, open-minded nice people, and some are my relatives.
Chill out
Americans need to read more books to know that not all middle eastern people are terrorists))))
This is terrible. The US invading any country it wants to, needs to end.
yes absolutely true eventhought I dont wanna talk as *they* in general as theres always differents people whether bad or good, smart or stupid, dogs or lions but your definitely right... same as the UK person from Irish who used to work in Dubai in the company where I worked for as Head of Languages Department with 38K plus benefits and he was still being hater by talking $h!t about us.... when I discovered he used to work in the army before he comes over...
Mr. Child protector, First of all these sh!t words your saying has no meaning at all which is Rofl or Lmao and those two are for the kids who chat with their class mates. so we don't really care to explain the definition of them.
as per your questions theres only one answer. If you don't like it here then get your self a one way ticket to your safe home country. why your still here :D ?
I think I need to correct the spelling first Mr. UK whatever, and typos so I can understand the question, so I can then answer you.
Until then, there is British Council & other Language centers I can recommend to you.... Go get a life if you know what life means.
Go read history about your own country that you claim to be from if you want to learn about wars..!!! oh I forgot you are not educated enough to know about that,but the Arab Wars benefit your country that you claim to be from.
Mr. Street Dog.
roflmao
Oh by the way that means 'rolling on floor laughing my arse off'.
Hey so called UK child protector,
many "Westerners" like you wannabe, are being treated as "humans" here, when in fact in your own country, you are looking for food in the garbage bags, it is so simple Brightlight, if you dont like it here, get a ticket and get out of here.
I know you wont, cause you dont want to get back to the streets where you came from, and people like you!!! That is why you are disn on everyone else!!!!
And in the Whole Arab countries combined, there is not as many homeless people as in your own country you claim to be from. you clearly must be from that pecking order at the bottom to be posting on every post here to stir up trouble, cause you dont have a life and you are clearly at the bottom of the food chain.
_______________
Oh by the way -how many of us in the west are threatning to blow each other up and kill each other?
We are not - so tell me here and now how many Middle Eastern Countrya or Gulf Countrys are at war. Or at least threatning each other and then come back and tell me wich Western countrys are at war.
Oh and then come back and tell which Middle East 'state'(whatver) has notgot themselves into trouble and then asked for the West for help?
Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/3385121#ixzz298Hs8kks
its true buddy, high 5. what I said is true!!! These wannabes have money they didnt even dream about, though they dis on us, and they know we are REALLY more educated then them. But thats normal, haters are always there.
In the end the dog is dog, and the lion is lion.
theres nothing left to say after what you have said *sir. fin. waves*
well said buddy...
Hey so called UK child protector,
many "Westerners" like you wannabe, are being treated as "humans" here, when in fact in your own country, you are looking for food in the garbage bags, it is so simple Brightlight, if you dont like it here, get a ticket and get out of here.
I know you wont, cause you dont want to get back to the streets where you came from, and people like you!!! That is why you are disn on everyone else!!!!
And in the Whole Arab countries combined, there is not as many homeless people as in your own country you claim to be from. you clearly must be from that pecking order at the bottom to be posting on every post here to stir up trouble, cause you dont have a life and you are clearly at the bottom of the food chain.
I include you arrogant lebbos in that.
Lived here 15 years (ignore my profile) was asked to join by a work mate.
All I see from this 'forum' is Westerners against other people.
There is no respect from both sides at all.
I can see why.
Westerners ARE still valued here and that is why we have the 'big jobs'.
The others are seen as 'added value'.
As soon as we realise there is a pecking order; we will be fine.
Westerners still rule. You (thirld world contries) don't.
I've been to various places throughout the M.E. and I wish that most Westerners would come here and at least check things out before allowing the media to influence their opinion on how things are over here. I have a few friends that are quite ignorant about Muslims and Arabs in general, I argue this fact with them all the time - don't knock it until you see it for yourself.
Just because a few people are bad, doesn't make an entire race that way. I find Arabs to be some of the most welcoming and warm people the world over - Lebanese especially. (But I'm biased because I married one :P)
Try to see who is behind the 'media'..
Who is stopping 'them'[Americans ] from seeing the truth ?
Who are they Brit?
Awwww, That's so cute.
Oh...so it is not only Americans that are not wanted in Qatar? Surprising.....
Morkal, Niraj and Prem are not wanted in Qatar
Manna when did they release you from jail?
Don't punch any of the locals in the face..You'll end up in jail for at least a few months...And thats with a good lawyer
Its not like back home
Cant say too much to disagree..:)
Thanks britexpat i'l try
Racism is everywhere.. Perhaps more so in the Gulf.. Just got to live with it..
You know the usual racism stuff - working with children and young adults is fantastic there not interested in that all they are interested in is you and what you can teach them. "Believe and you will Achieve"
Hahaha Shaft haha now thats a throwback classic
.
I have been here only a week and I am feeling very comfort being here. I even take my little dog out for a walk and feel safe down my street.
I am trying to learn about the people and the customs. Our group of teachers have frequented a small grocery store across the street and the gentleman who owns it has been trying to get things for us. He ordered a case of dog food because he sees me with my dog on our daily walks. He could have easily ignored the possible need for me to get food for the dog but I take that as it benefits both of us.
My only problem and it is mine not the country is trying to get to places that sell items I need that the grocery store cannot get. I know I can walk some place or get a taxi but until I get my salary I am on a limited income. That is right now the only problem I am having.
I am looking forward to being here for a while and learning more about the country and the people.
I have seen the Shaft films and am envious of the loving Afro Carribeans get in the USA ;0(
What kind of experiences did you have in the UK and in the US?
I love the fact that i have been here 24 hours and my wife got rid of a lizard from one of the bedrooms. Hooray you go girl! Anyways just a quickie is a afro caribbean male from uk accepted in qatar? Will he get shown some love or will he get experiences like in uk and america? Just wondering.
Well almost any country is better than France :0)
I confirm that Qatar could be the best place for every one, I have been to ( Saudi, Bahrain, Egypt, Chad, India, Srilanka, France, UK, Belgium ) Qatar is the best.
I agree. The media is the one to blame. It focuses so much on the bad than the good. Therefore in the end, it causes turmoil on both parties. I think broadcasting networks aren't allowed to take sides cos if they do, then they influence those who watches their report.
Thanks for sharing Bro really we are all grateful to god that we live in a peaceful country like qatar and its generous people and i have personally lot of qatari friends who treat us as there brothers
salam ,
all what i can say is , you always welcome in all arab countries , i'm egyptian , thank you so much for your great words .
hassan
I've been here in Qatar for about two years now after the huge package offered to me, i simply grabbed it thinking of i was greedy for money. Everything was so opposite to my country and got alot of adjustments besides i want the job for security purposes. After how many months and started to liked it here experiencing the other side of the planet, i mean from green, cold temperature, wind breeze from trees, snow during winter, earthqauakes, rains, clouds, technology, fruits and veggies... to ... sand, hot sun, humid, camels, rooundabouts, traffic, sandstorm, a sound from mosque calling for prayers, beach (not so..), thobes, what else?
from hai, ohayo to inshallah!
one thing to be proud of: i see a lot of cars from my country!
Good to read such a positive outlook on life in Qatar
I dont love Qatar. Greed for money brought me here leaving behind my family & friends. Now my family has become corrupt and I have become ATM.Had Qatar not paid me well, I would have never come here and stayed for so long.
But no doubt. It is very good place, better than my country in many aspect.
Qatar is one of the best countries in the world.
10 years in Qatar, seen lots of changes..I have traveled the world and have learned lots of "tolerance" from everywhere I have been..Including my home country..the US....
I have found that going back to the US is very difficult..and prefer to travel to different countries rather than go back for a visit..
But have to agree, in July and August, it gets PDH...lol...
I never would have thought that I would think 70 F is cold...:)
Lived here 6 years and am very immerced in the culture. I see the good and the bad, especially when it comes to my work with the animals, but have realised that working with people and taking time to listen and learn is a bridge over the great divide.
Had the same issues with friends and family back home when I said I was coming to live here, but I have never felt safer than when in Qatar, and when they have visited, they have understood why I feel so.
I love summer here (except for the humidity). I love the soft breezes that blow at night cooling it down, it makes me think of summers back home and holiday time, even when I am still at work.
Qatar has become my home and I always say that I will only leave when I am told too, which I hope isn't soon.
Yes, as I say, there is good and bad here, but for me, the good far out weighs the bad...
Viva Qatar Viva!!!!
excuse
excuse me,please dont mention the name terrorist here in middle east
It is QATARI. Not QATARIAN. :-)
I've never been to Qatar, or anywhere in the Mid East for that matter but after getting my official transfer papers over 2 months ago i've done many google searches, met many Qatarians here, and thought a lot about the place and now feel like a semi expert on the region.
I find the people to be very open and friendly and quite welcoming. I've made some great friends here and people on QL seem to guinenly like me. I'm looking foward to emmersing myself in the Qatarian culture next month
Barefoot, preaching to the choir. You shud post it on an american forum.
Welcome to Qatar, my friend :-) I've lived in the States for more than 6 years and I loved it there. Like you said, good & bad are everywhere, one shouldn't be ignorant and close their eyes; they'll miss the beauty of life and diversity. All the best!
-Jamal
Hhmmm.. That Just let me realize there are good Americans too exist :)
Thank you guys. Yes indeed it's a great experience, you learn to be tolerant to everyt5hing that goes against what you believe in and you grew up thinking it's the right thing.
I really love this place :) ---- QATAR -----
Huh?
Most of the negative perception of the Middle East is from what people see and hear on various media; the inside story is actually quite pleasant.
The first question I was asked when I decided to move to the Middle East was about safety and security. I gave them a definitive answer when I visited home for holidays after 4 months in the ME.
Of course like most others have said, it can be better, but hey, there are several things that can be better in other parts of the world too.
a refresher...
no haters...
all lovers...
for a change.
hope this will continue. :-)
have a great day BfitS!
I love walking on the Corniche and watching the kids playing .. :O)
LMFAO!!! It's not even like you think Moza :-D
and someone had to go and mention Kerala and spoil the thread.....
the best thread in a long time..no whining..no hating..no anti-muslim/US/Keralite hypocrite lowlives..just everyone sharing what they love about Qatar; what the OP has been able to see and feel is the old story book Arabian magical experience..an experience that doesn't account for practicalities like jobs/religious intolerance/human rights/exit permits..just the raw core feel of Arabia and its ways. I have lived in each GCC country and each was magical in its own way, even Saudi..but yes Qatar is where my heart is and I truly love this country regardless of the flashing Land Cruisers and needing an NOC/exit permit..i'm not even a 'pampered American' but just watching the sunset on dune flanked highways or driving along a deserted Corniche alone is enough to keep me here lol
I been here for more than 6 years, I must say I liked being here. the only thing hinders me is the extremely aggressive attitude of most arab people (you know what i mean), I know this is a bit common with every country but honestly ive learned to deal with it. I also believed that in every place there is pros & cons.
moza.... yes here in qatar we can listen to children's music in the car without fear of being chased down by moronic barbarians in white nighties...
My husband and I feel exactly the same way. We love Qatar. I enjoy the call of the prayer, even though I am not muslim, I like the family life, the sun, the sand and the sea.
Thank you for sharing your thougths and letting the WORLD know that Qatar is a wonderful place to live in.
Have a Great Day.
I'm in shock. A thread that warms the heart and no hatred yet.... I might have to go home and lie down for a while.....
Thanks for the comments QR, good to hear people enjoying such experiences around the world. 90% of it is not too bad.
thats was a great experience QatariRevolutionist
I lived in the east coast in the US. I have to admit that I felt better over there personally. However I do miss the sense of family over there, what is even heartbreaking to see many fragile relations, there are no longer that bond that ties children and parents or vise versa.
I loved the sense of freedom there, and by freedom I still acted the same, wore my scarf and prayed and all, but still manged to make the best of my time. Maybe because I am social and very outgoing I found the culture there more welcoming but in Qatar it's not the case, where there are tons of restriction not religiously but more of norms and culture, these restrictions are applied only to Qatari women.
One more thing that I found it amazing in the US, is diversity, and being able to mingle with everyone. I visited cathedrals, churches and Jewish synagogues, I learned and I taught, and this is the beauty of diversity, unfortunately that's not the case in Qatar.
Yes, I have seen racism and yes I have given "the dirty look" because I am a Muslim women, who they thought I was oppressed :) But believe it or not that didn't bother me at all, knowing where do those people come from!
Qatar, is a unique place, there are many pros and cons, one of the greatest pros is safety, which is a HUGE thing, considering I witnessed a shooting incident outside my apt window in the US and that wasn't the ghetto !
See, I think when you have the freedom and liberty and then when you have options and choices to make about where you wana stay or where you wana work for instance, you tend to appreciate things around you, and life becomes much easier.
One last thing, make yourself at home and I am glad you are enjoying your stay. Please if you ever needed anything that would make your life easier here let me know.
Thank you! You've made my morning! (:
I wish to tell you all that onething i miss here, is that pple donot freely move with each other!
I have lived in saudi, but for the fact that ladies have a lot of restrictions like driving, not being able to visit all restaurants, that doesnot have a family room, or dress codes,
my life was wonderful in a compound where ladies had a good time, a routine that was followed , that included coffee mornings, gym, swimming, shopping!
I miss that life here! infact, since 0ct0ber, i have not made anyfriend here, though met a few..
When my moved from Singapore to QATAR, everyone had the same feeling that middle east is hot and no greenery !
I also agree with the thread starter, that it is nice to be here!
The added advantage when i compare, my standard of living has gone up! Hoping the need for exit permit will be demolished soon.
I think "barefootinthesun" , (nice name lady!)
must post this in facebook as the whole world can read this!
This makes us feel good abt Qatar!
...the only lacks here is recreations...
i am new let me see too.
TFS! I share similar sentiments about Qatar.
"green grass"?? Aah well, indeed, at a cost of a pretty penny ... but refreshing to see. I miss the Corniche and its clear blue waters. :0)
Families on corniche- they are all asians, you can se that in India as well.
People working harder- you are talking of expats, right.
And I dont fall in love with a country because it has beautiful buildings, green grass, flowers....I would rather go with the inner soul of the country, if that is fine, doesn't discriminate it would be preferable, which this one is not.
But being an American and so the most pampered one, I wont break your bubble...enjoy, you are the blessed ones in this part and I am happy for you.
Have you been to Dubai
this is like Europe you feel at home
more freedom.recreation
site seeing
good for children but need money
Middle east safe only in Qatar,UAE Oman Beharin.
Saudhi no life but western they have no problems.
you should visit Dubai
then you may shift from Qatar
It's pleasant to hear something positive. Every country has pros & cons...however, living in Qatar indeed got much more Pros than Cons.
I too am American and I've been here for several years. I love it. I do miss mountains and more green but we all take the good with the bad (and thats why we have vacation:) )
I'm like you with the call to prayer, its a very comforting sound actually and when I go back home, I miss it.
The family and traditions tie back to generations we would not be able to necessarily recognize in such a young country and culture.
So yes, Hail to Qatar. We love you and enjoy spending time in this great country.
Now if you could arrange something like a big air conditioned bubble over the country during July and August (like The Truman Show) , I would be forever indebted. :)
Experience is the best master.
what we badly need over here though from America is, "Home Depot, Best-Buys and Walmart" :-P
Many worse places to be, could be in Saudi listening to childrens music in your car.....
Not at all
I'll jump on this bandwagon - Qatar is fine - the half full half empty argument is that there are worse places in the world to be right now than Qatar and whilst Im sure that is true, me, Im here out of choice.
Great to read something positive. Glad you're enjoying yourself. We could all do with looking at the glass as half full..
TFS
when my friends got to know I moved to the middle east, they were totally disappointed and started calling me sand-n****r and t***l-head. Now when I share pics with them and tell them of how life is over here, they're tempted to visit.... let's not forget the tax free salaries too is why they wanna visit and try get work here :-)
Nice post barefootinthesun... one of the BEST I've read in a long time :-)
Good to hear you enjoy it here. Life is not so bad in Qatar and certainly better than some of the inner cities in the US.
In every country there are Haters. i have lived in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Qatar and all have great things about the that go along with the not-so-good. My observation though is that despite superficial differences people, at the core, are pretty much the same everywhere and thankfully, the good seem to outnumber the bad.
Good to know that your experiences here have been so pleasant, Masha Allah. Must admit I love life here in Qatar more than back in Sri Lanka, so totally feel ya.
Of course Qatar has it's downers and negative aspects much like any place on earth,and yes every now and then we may encounter them, but I find the pros certainly outweigh the cons and I find myself far more happy and content here than I have ever been all my life,AlHamdulillah!
I am glad you have had the chance to personally experiencing the middle east. I had friend who was in the US army and his primary reason for joining the army was tong take care of business in the middle east after all the negative media he was exposed too.
Once he was here, his prospective changed and he realize how the media demonizes the Muslims in general and the Arabs in particular.
I hope you can share this experience with as many Americans back hope as possible.
Good luck and may God make you Amongst the ones he has guided
Peace
Thnaks to say that about our country
I have American friend saying same what u r saying
ya, u right, one of my friend visited America once, one guy just shouting in his face, Terrorist
Actualy it is all about Media, it is the one giving bad or good picture about other