Help us to make Doha more fun!
Hello :)
I’m hoping that some of you may be
able/willing to help us help to make Doha a more fun place to live and work
My colleague, Alex, and I are currently
working for a company that is advising on two developments in Doha, for which
part of the work involves talking to people living in Doha. The first
development is still being built, but will centre around international culture,
cuisine and art forms.
The second development already has modern,
state of the art facilities for both tourists and locals, and we are looking to
expand the development’s offering. We would be looking to obtain views
from anyone likely to benefit from the future development (which, we would
hope, would be most Doha residents).
As a result, we are looking to find suitable
avenues through which to contact people in order to set up interviews for the
research, and thought that this website would be a useful place to start!
We are speaking to a range of people, including local Qataris, Non-Western
expats, and Western expats, but for this particular portion of the project, we
would be looking to speak to Western expats (and to clarify, this does not
necessarily mean white Western expats).
Is this something that either yourself, or
other contacts might be able to help us with?
We are currently in Doha and will be at the
Ramada Hotel until the 16th of April (although this period is
extendable if necessary). As such, we are looking to arrange suitable
times to meet with people in order to have an informal discussion around 45
minutes in length. It will, in essence, be about what you currently do
for fun/leisure in Doha, and how this might be improved in the future.
We are perfectly happy to meet you whenever
and wherever suits you best, and, of course, those of you kind enough to
participate will be rewarded :)
If you, or anyone else that you know, are
able to help, I would be very grateful if you could respond by sending me a
private message (I check the website often!)
Thanks so much, and hope you all have a
wonderful week!
Kind regards
aimée whitcroft
at least not on the scale of rivaling other "fun" destinations. And before people accuse me of just being negative let me explain why.
You see there are 2 main factors which contribute to making Qatar less fun. These are the climate and the conservative nature of the country. So unless you can do anything about either, the best we can hope for is to alleviate the boredom slightly, but at least it's great that someone is trying.
Stay safe all.
Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?
yea amean the musical thingy is kinda an ok idea like doin a music center cuz its kinda rare here..amean they have it but just the basic things like piano n org and not for guitars lesons or drums or bass :p
but srsly yea that will help...fun wise!!lmao
i dont mind to help, hope my voice can make improvement of Qatar.
yeah why not
Everybody is right Everybody is wrong, it depend where we stand.
You cannot go by the "gramatical indications" of most posts for a myriad of reasons:
1) This would be more an indication of level of education than place of birth (as the vast majority of North Americans' grammar is horrible for example - sorry to be blunt but its true- I KNOW because i'm from North America myself).
2) According to the OP's own definition of "Western Expat" a heck of a LOT of non English speaking people would be included , so the gramatical errors may just be a function of English being a scondary or even tretiary language.
3) As someone else pointed out, proper spelling, grammar and punctuation is very difficlut to get right on a laptop especially if the post is hurried (ie you are posting from work etc..).
4) What about places like Canada, where there are a LOT of immigrants. I myself for example was born in the middle east but lived and went to school in Canada. Would I be considered a "Western Expat"?
So you see its not as cut and dry as you make it sound my friend.
My apologies for derailing the thread slightly, but I just wanted to address dohasteve's points.
Stay safe.
Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?
I thought TOFU was a meat replacement protein, or haven't I read the entire thread again
Rock wall!
Great for kids bday and such, lots of euros climb, fitness...
If u can afford the insurace they make a decent amout of $ too
hi ALEXA, thx for the heads-up for tofu and yoga.. I'd found a few yoga listings in the Marhaba today, but nothing on TOFU, so will def check out Mega Mart~~~
hmm QT.. fun is what you make of anything? =)
yeah.. I agree with TALLG that human interaction/communication is more important than physical structures; and I think art and music will be the binding factor between the different nationalities & classes?
It takes more than physical establishments to make somewhere fun. Sure, a trip to a bowling alley or shopping mall can give you a quick burst of fun, but you need to create a feeling a community and atmosphere across the whole city before people will start feeling like they're having fun in Doha. The current sterile feel to the city and the segregation of different nationalities & classes of people makes it hard to do this. Good luck trying!
Typos my friend, it's easily done! especially when working from laptops!
It looks like a veritable can of worms has been opened regarding the definition of whether or not one is a Western expat. As Aimee is obviously far too diplomatic and polite to answer in a direct and succinct manner, let me attempt to clarify: 1) If you have to ask for a definition of a Western expat, then you're not one, so don't bother replying. 2) Going by the grammatical indications in the replies posted to date, I would say that 90% of correspondents are not Western expats.
Aimee, I would be happy to conduct an interview. My e-mail address is probably in here somewhere; if you can't find it, just PM me and I will reply.
Although I am writing this while having supped a few beers, I take full responsilbility for the content of the above. Please also notice the use of the semi-colon, which at least shows a modicum of familiarity with the English language.
Have I offended enough people yet?
Aaawww... Shucks!!!
Way to go QT - problem is you are too witty and intelligent!
LOL. I'm all of the above bar the first! I can't dance! LOL
cute male strippers
more cute boys in shorts instead of lard asses
cute boys who aren't losing their hair
cute boys who aren't in debt
cute boys who aren't going to marry their first cousin
cute boys who have seen women apart from their mother naked
basically me + a jacuzzi + No 8 from a certain football team or No 15 from the runners up
LOL
sorry aimee - feel free to pm me
What??? You think yoga is fun???
hmm.. I'm new in Qatar, still searching for fun things in Qatar... perhaps I haven't searched in the right places, so kind souls out there, pls point me in the right direction.. =)
Things I"m looking for:
- yoga class
- a nice green park (like Central Park, NY)
- tofu!!!
and... one thing qatar can improve on... is... ADDRESS SYSTEM...
my friends can't mail me anything because I don't have a proper residential address.. I only know it's near whatever roundabout..
Hello
As mentioned in my first post, it is the owners/developers of two manjor developments taking place in Doha - one has already been built, but they would like to improve it, and one is in the process of being built. I'm afraid I can't simply give names out into the general ether (I'm sure you understand).
The purpose of my post was not to start any type of racial or otherwise discussion - it was simply to see whether anyone might be interested in being interviewed,in order to make Doha more enjoyable (exactly how is what we're here to find out).
As mentioned, please would anyone interested private message me. Please understand, as mentioned (multiply) previously, that our research is in NO way biased, and is being undertaken by many people, in many stages, over the next few months.
Regards
aimee
Just checking thats all, the rules of the GAME.. :P
Alright man, catch ya later, got to go do some cooking....
Cheers...
getting into the game :P
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No human can stop racism.
But aimee, WHO exactly is it who wants to make our life in Doha more fun???
O well Aimee,
Whatever you think is right, hey dont say please mate, I have nothing against or for you, this was just my observation right through the day based on your thread, your requests, your responses...thats all...
I'm sure you are doing things with the right intent and no bias, just try and see if you can stay that way...and moreover, lets buy this reasoning of yours for this phase, all the best for your survey, and lets see and hope that you could bring something nice to Qatar...
Cheers...
KSA...
Generally, we need more petrol stations along the Corniche.
Hi :)
To clarify, and as per my opening request, it isn't that we aren't speaking to people who aren't Western expats (please believe me, that is not the case!), it is simply that it the research is being done in different phases by different teams of people, and my colleague and I, as Westerners ourselves, have been brought in specifically to speak to Western expats.
I would like, again, to reiterate that we are not being exclusionary in our research!
Hope this answers your question
Regards
aimee
Karasat point is valid, you could have diferent combos of entertainment that help the different type of origins to select. Outright classifying people on the basis of something which was not in their hands or wish (may be) make sad to others.
Make various tiers of fun so that every one can select their choice.
Please do not discriminate
Live and let live...
Firstly Thanks for the efforts in showing me difference...
Having said that (again in relation to the particular thread), I'm sorry if I'm being difficult here but I dont intend any racial conflicts at any time surely from my questions...
All my air of doubt is when I asked you the difference between Westerners and Non-Westerners is in regards to the thread for whatever reasons best known to you because it is you who is conducting this phase...
But as a reader and a person who is quite keenly observing the movement of this thread and your repititive request towards Westerners, I was just wondering to know,
If the question is about Progress of Entertainment in Qatar, then why the difference between a Westerner and a Non-Westerner...
Now THAT's the Difference I'm quite keen on knowing, could we have some transparency please...
Hey again I'm sure you dont intend any bias on basis of race or culture, but then again I want to know the underlying reasons and the thought process for this phase of your survey...
Thanks & of course Regards,
KSA...
Hello!
ksarat16: the difference between a Western and non-Western expat is purely one of geogrpahic origin, rather than skin colour/race, lanuguage or anything else. That is to say, a Western expat is someone who was born/brought up etc in a Western country (Europe, Australia, South African, America etc), whereas a non-Western expat is an expat who has come from somewhere else (The East, The Middle East, India, South American, etc).
I hope that clarifies your question! As I mentioned, at no point are we being exclusionary in our research, it's simply that for this phase of it, between my colleague and I, this is the group of people with whom we are looking to speak.
Regards
aimee
Anything that would promote healthier lifestyle here, proper gyms that don't have ridiculous prices, proper bookstores with a varied selection at decent prices, improvisation events and courses for those interested, the list is endless.
Hey with all due respect, could you tell me the difference between a Western Expat and a Non-Western Expat in regards to this particular thread alone...I've been thinking of this particular thread in the afternoon and ever since, you have gone ahead and mentioned your idea and what you want to do, and also have gone ahead and specifically mentioned this phase to be concerning a Western Expat very critically as well as being very diplomatic in the usage of words...
so go ahead and could you relate to me the differences in view of this thread, its purpose between a Western Expat and a Non-Western Expat...
Hey no hurry, give me points in differences if you could...
Thanks,
And Hey do keep up the good work and good intentions...
Cheers...
well, we'd aim to see what everyone wants, and then find a way to cater for as many people as possible! after all, our clients are more interested in "footfall", or getting people in and enjoying themselves, than anything else currently
again, would anyone be interested in conducting an interview with us?
regards
aimee
Very good initiative, shar ethe scope of activities and how will you settle the modalities?
Live and let live...
...pubs and lots of cheap taxis
If you're living life on the edge, you've got too much room.
Thanks for all the feedback, everyone - most appreciated!
Would anyone be interested in conducting an interview with us?
Regards
aimee
better build the bridges linking qatar to bahrain and abu dhabi as fast as possible... then I would be much more happy to live in qatar...
Profound words my friend thexonic and I second what you say:
Affordable sports clubs where folk can work out/swim/socialise without it costing a huge amount of money.
Some parks
A couple of pubs.
Less traffic jams
Better standards of management.
Forget the cuisine- too much and too many unhealthy people
Hello all
We are not necessarily suggesting anything - the idea is to talk to people here to find out what they want, and what would make them happier residents :) We, and our clients, are very open minded as to the possibilities.
To reiterate, for this particular phase, we are particularly looking for Western expats, although I shall pass on the details of anyone else interested to those of us who will be talking to local Qataris and non-Western expats as well.
Thanks!
Regards
aimee
well there are alot of football fields that are empty after the trainings. Like the one opposite to Al Sadd, I dont know if it is open to all or not, but even during the training times, I see alot of people play football there that are not a part of Al Sadd.
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No human can stop racism.
why only basketball courts, why not football fields as well
other than that small technicality, i fully agree with what you say
I dont think any of those "Modern" things will make any progress for the fun part. U want to make Doha more fun, lets see, we need basket ball courts which are open to everyone and are free, we need places where people can express their muscial talents, we need indoor parks, we need places where people can enjoy and have fun without paying for it. Fun comes from happiness and u cannot buy happiness.
Cuisines are already alot in this country. That wont be necessary.
By particular portion, what did u mean?
Let me tell u something about Qatar. This country is already advanced and has developed alot, whats missing is the happiness. If u think u can bring happiness to the people living in this country, then I'd be helpful. But if u ask for modernising Qatar I'm sorry, thats not "fun" and i dont think anyone would be intrested in more than what already exists here.
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No human can stop racism.
i would like to involve can you send me more information or how can i help i am Qatari and i be happy to do something
Thank
How will we be rewarded, out of interest?
so your previous request didnt give ne succes :) good
Hmmm, let me think about it.