Most Qataris believe that they have a divine right to everything in life at no cost. If you spend a day in the court beside the Corniche, you will witness case after case of Qataris owing money, be it for cars, other goods, or services. Most retailers or traders will never take a check from a Qatari. All DVD rental outlets charge Qataris the cost of the DVD for rental, why you ask…because if they only paid the normal rental they would not return the DVD(s).

I once accepted a check from an Al Thani (female), it bounced! When I went to Capital Security to make a case (it is illegal to bounce a check here), the Major in charge refused to write anything formally, saying that he would deal with it. It took me more than nine months to get my money, paid in dribs and drabs!

So many Qataris leave restaurants, petrol stations, and shops without paying. In the case of restaurants, it is not unknown for Qataris to threaten the manager that they will have them closed down for some violation etc.

You may think that I sound bitter, well I am. I have been ripped off before by Qatari’s and I know others who have suffered as well.