What to do in such situ? (women Respected in Qatar)

yah thats true...wear appropriate clothes and act naturally. always go out in groups and be cautious.

i had an incident in landmark when i was alone shopping for groceries. for the first time in my 3rd month stay here, my husband finally permitted me to shop alone. While sorting some items, a local was following me but i just ignore him. After a while he approaches me and asks, "you look familiar, have we met before? Do you work in Qatar Airlines?". I immediately said "NO," and before he asks another question again i walk away. Another is in villagio when i and my husband split ways for cutting our shopping time short. Same in landmark, at first a man (local-which can speak some filipino words)) is following me and asks me with "are you pinay?" i said "NO," then he says "sige na?", that incident scares me, i left the store quickly and called my husband immediately. Now, i don't wanna go out alone going to the mall or groceries because of this.

This happens pretty rarely....depends upon the Dress Code

NAZ

No Body Go after a Descent Looking Lady, Especially in BURQA, Muslim Ladies wearing. No Body goes after them, U must by spreading NUDITY, The problem not in Qatar...

The problem in what your dress looks like !!! in your attitude while waking.

If you were not wearing modest dress this simply means you are not respecting this country's culture.

So don't blame any body except your self.

thanks about saying its a good topic.

i also experienced that mostly whenever i went to public place esp. bus station (going to the office)and at the mall (villagio) even you are wearing your suit accordinglyn it seems some of them never seen any woman creature in their whole life. Well, what you expect?!!! they are not well educated, just ignore and dont look at them as if they are not existing, Just wear formal,decent and be modest girl plus have pepper spray or pin.. in case!! ;)

Btw,in the office,i am the only girl and cant experience any unconfortable situation.

It is a good topic and good discussion, from this QL readers Female will understand how to go out to public place. and the males including me to know and avoid such things. we can't deney when the picutres are shown the eyes can't close. at any way be safe.

I do hot know about you, I walk almost daily alone from Saudia Super Market to Villaggio and back, crossing all the streets until the Aspire Zone garden and back, really I feel secure, even at 21:00 hours at night,

God Bless Qatar.

My photo is their in my profile and I walk with Jeans and a Tshirtor dressed European.

edit 2 (darn!) "... Must still always have a lady POLICE OFFICER or someone to go with you...."

Sorry! previewed but missed that out..

I am a very self conscious person and dress very neatly.Wore a long kurta and a pants.

Not Muslim so cant wear Burka.Or should i try that too.

Very Decent.

Thanks for all ur support.

Hi. Intersting comments. My friends, this country is part of asia where you still find males from the subcontinent and even from some other neighboring countries staring at five year old girls. You should know where you are and live accordingly, or you have the choice to go back to your places where you come from. This kind of incidents actually nothing to do with Qatar or its regulations. Either you simply ignore them or respond like what you did in this particular case.

You have every right in wearing your favourite dresses but be aware of the custom of the country too.

Good luck

edit - re: police - even if you did something wrong, do not be intimidated and go alone with any guy who claims to be police. Must still always have a lady or someone to go with you. If any problems, tell the officer arresting you that you will explain at the police station. Always remain in a public place.

Re: "In Qatar, women are respected a lot - only applies to the local qatari women." - No, women are generally respected. Even I whom people guess I look like I'm from China or Philippines but not where I'm actually from. Geez!

Anyway, it's how I carry myself. I dress modestly, etc. and keep a low profile. I do not cover my hair or wear a veil. Actually, I dress quite freely and comfortably but quite boringly - because I'm boring, you see so my definition of "freely" is "loosely" so I can eat all I want without having to be uncomfortable at looking awful and encouraging people to throw up, y'know. I'm happy and everybody's happy. Nobody bugs me.. so all's good.

These men have obviously not been exposed to women in this kind of environment and in all probability are not well educated or have much world knowledge. They have probably had limited interaction with women and therefore do not understand how to interact with them. If they have made you feel uncomfortable and you have the opportunity in a public area, turn around & ask them to stop. Show them that you are human and that you have intelligence. I believe they see woman as some kind of strange animal in a petting zoo and have not had enough experience with women to know otherwise.

Very well said, syedkhadeer

To women generally - be alert esp. when walking about alone or even in 2s or 3s, depending on the area and how many guys are in the vicinity, whether there is a possibility of them ganging up on you. Carry a whistle or alarm that can set off an alarm to attract attention if you get into trouble. You just have to attract attention for people to take notice and help.

Make a mental note of where the security guards are or police in uniform wherever you are. Do not simply believe anyone who says they are police officers and never follow any guy anywhere private, no matter if he says he's a police officer. If you did nothing wrong, do not be intimidated. Always be in a public place. Even if you're supposedly arrested - must have female police officer. If not, get someone to go with you to the police station. Have police on speed dial on your mobile.

/Even at the driving tests - the male police officer doing the testing for the ladies, there must always be a female police officer in the test car with you.

All the best and welcome to Qatar!

Just ignore it, many of the people are coming to Qatar as singles, live, and work with men all the time.

When they see a woman, they behave like flies around honey.

tinova...... palms you expect girls to wear gloves?

Inappropriate dressing calls for unwanted attention :)

Islamic Dress means... Any dress which cannot reveal your exact body figure including hair !!... No need to cover your face.. Face,Palms and Feet can be exposed. Indian full sleeve chudidaar with a properly worn head scarf is enough...!!!more than enough!!

The most attractive part in women for men is not her face , instead it's her figure,hair,hands etc..

As we all have seen that some nationalities girls go around with everyone or make friendship, which has given a wrong conception to others that these particular community girls are easily available.

Therefore these bachelor men ( labors or executives) do this kind of stuff to make friendship with girls who walk around single or in groups.

As in your case, you need to ignore this and as others suggested, dressing is very important because showing too much skin make things worst.

If you come across such situation again, be bold and approach security.

Welcome to Qatar

You need to understand that most of the labors here are bachelors and they th

cant believe ......... / it can never happen in qatar

tinova what exactly is a islamic dressing..........u mean the abaya.

Agreed with Tinova

Nope.. For all women who follows the Islamic dressing rule...!!!!I myself is a non Qatari....

Be cool

Its all about how you carry yourselves. What you wear, where you come from, etc. As one post said.. ignore it if possible, call for help if needed even from others passing by. Remember that you are in a culturally sensitive country, respect it and you wont usually be troubled.

I just heard some people around saying in QATAR WOMEN ARE RESPECTED A LOT"

the above only applies to the local qatari women.

It's really scary and unexpected news.. especially in Qatar.. As I compare with my own home country I feel Islamic countries are more safe for women.

Anyhow.. In my concern according to my experience is that, women who properly dress according to the Islamic rule are always protected anytime everywhere.

May Allah Bless you...!!!!!!!!

Where did this happen?

What were you wearing?

very common here........just ignore