Soccer World Cup: what to avoid in Qatar? Important rules to know before traveling

Isn’t it exciting to imagine having a unique, impressive and unforgettable experience in the Islamic country of Qatar, the home of FIFA 2022? And if you are already planning your trip, we recommend that you take some time to learn about certain rules and what to avoid in that country in order to have a pleasant and hassle-free stay.

When you visit Qatar you are likely to experience culture shock. It will certainly be different from what you are familiar with. But that’s what traveling is all about! Travelers are exposed to new things and it will help them gain a deeper understanding of the world. In addition, it is not a reason not to enjoy the country and the World Cup to the fullest. However, planning your trips can also be challenging. There are several factors that you should take into account before arriving in the country.

So, we present you this guide that contains certain rules, such as dress code, do’s and don’ts in tourist destinations, strict laws, affection and public display, among others. Remember that Qatar is a conservative country, where you will have to follow strict laws and rules in order not to go through negative moments, such as being reprimanded by the authorities or, even worse, receiving sanctions. For foreigners there is nothing more frightening than getting into trouble in another country.

Dress code: dress modestly

Although it is a globalized country, its Islamic culture is well marked. Therefore, the dress code should be a style sensitive to that culture. Try to dress modestly in public. For example, women should avoid showing too much skin in public, especially the shoulders, upper arms, and knees. Men, on the other hand, usually wear long pants and shirts. not even the leggings they would be well accepted. However, this rule changes once you are in private areas, such as your hotel and clubs. If you are going to the beach, you should check the dress code of the specific place. They generally allow shorts, but no short-sleeved shirts. Also, you should know that if you want to sunbathe, be in topless It is an action completely prohibited in the country.

Do not drink alcohol in public or use drugs

Before you visit Qatar, keep in mind that this country has zero tolerance for the use or possession of drugs or even alcohol, and it is a felony to get drunk in public. For many in other countries, things that may be common, like having a beer on the street, are prohibited there. It is also strictly prohibited to brew beer and traffic alcohol within the country. If you drink alcohol in public or drive under the influence of alcohol, you are going against local laws and therefore you will be severely punished, even imprisonment. So if you want to have a drink you will need to be inside your hotel or bar and follow all the rules. There is also the possibility of buying it in a legal store and taking it in your vehicle directly to where you are staying.

Social behavior

Manners are essential wherever you go. Acting in accordance with the ways and customs of the locals will help you adapt faster, connect with people smoothly, and show respect for them and their culture. In Qatar the social norms are quite simple regarding gender. Men and women are generally separated in public areas, with a traditional mindset that men have a public space exclusively for themselves. On the contrary, women have the role of wives in the home. What about greetings? If you are a man and meet an Arab, you can exchange a handshake. But if he meets a woman, it is not common to shake hands, since men and women do not usually greet each other in this way. If you’re not sure, remember that when greeting someone of the opposite sex, you should have more reserve than you probably would at home. Especially if you come from cultures where kissing on the cheek and hugging are acceptable.

Don’t turn down an invitation from a Qatari

Qataris are very friendly and care a lot about hospitality. It is a strong part of their culture that should be respected in the sense that if they are nice to you, you have to accept it and be nice too. They will always welcome you with open arms. If a local invites you for tea, coffee or food, you should always accept the warm invitation with gratitude. Otherwise, you will be perceived as rude and may also hurt their feelings.

Learn about public behavior

This may be pretty obvious to some people, but others need a reminder. It is important to have a clean and polite public display at all times. Do not swear in public or make vulgar gestures that may make people uncomfortable. Also, you should be careful about anything you post online (social media), especially regarding Qatari culture and religion, as it will be considered rude and culturally insensitive.

Do not carry illegal items

All countries have a list of strictly illegal items that travelers are not allowed to bring within their borders. In the case of Qatar, please make sure you do not pack any of the following:

• Pork or products made from pork
• Alcoholic drinks
• edible seeds
• spices
• drugs
• Pornography, obscene material and inappropriate content
• religious books
• Fireworks
• Weapons
• hunting trophies
• Some medicines like morphine and tramadol

It’s common sense, but remember that all your luggage will be scanned at the airport where you arrive. If a person decides to travel with any of the objects mentioned above, he will have to face serious consequences.

Be careful what you photograph

Yes, photography is also an important detail that must be taken into account in any tourist destination. Many foreigners get too excited when they travel and take photos of almost everything without regard to local laws. Whenever you want to photograph something in the field, you must ask permission in advance. For example, taking pictures of people in a public place is a serious offense and you will have to face the consequences. Some places you can’t photograph are religious sites, shopping malls, outside airport areas, military sites, construction sites, industrial areas, and government buildings.

negotiate correctly

Qatar has everything for shopping, from luxurious malls to the authentic Middle Eastern market Souq Waqif, one of the most famous attractions in the capital city, Doha. Practice until you feel confident enough to test your haggling skills in Doha’s famous souq. Once you travel to the country, you will notice how expensive it is to buy. People often prefer to wait for sales in malls rather than buy at the normal price. However, there are always cheaper options in the markets or Souq, where you can still bargain with the seller regardless of price. Some important tips to remember are that vendors in the Souq will treat locals and tourists differently in terms of whether or not to accept the deal. In other words, if you look like a local, dress and act like a local, they will understand that you know enough about haggling and prices and will accept your offers. However, for inexperienced tourists, the vendors will not be so easy to deal with. Remember that once the seller offers you the best price, you should keep trying to get it cheaper, as it will be seen as an insult and you may lose the deal. Also, once you start haggling, you should always end up buying something; otherwise, don’t waste time talking to the provider.

dinner etiquette

If you’re unfamiliar with Islamic culture, but have heard a bit about dietary restrictions, you may be wondering if you’ll be able to find meat in Qatar, and the answer is a resounding yes! There you can find dishes with lamb and chicken that are Halal (lawful and permitted). However, there are still some important rules and etiquette that you must follow regarding food while visiting the country. Also, there may be surprising or rather shocking cultural things that you’d better know about beforehand. The first is that you should always eat with your right hand. Eating with the left is considered unhygienic. It’s common to see Qataris sharing food from the same huge plate as a way of bonding. For example, they can sit on the floor to enjoy the delicious Machboos (chicken rice). You will also see people eating with their hands, although it depends on each household. You may choose to do the same, as many dishes are only eaten this way. In fact, as a way of showing you how much they love and welcome you, the locals may serve you some food with their hands.

Avoid walking barefoot in the sea

There are stone fish lying camouflaged along the coast in Qatar and if someone steps on them, these animals execute their defense mechanism which causes immense pain and is poisonous. In most cases, a person suffering from such pain needs an immediate visit to the hospital. Interestingly, the stonefish is not the only thing one has to worry about. Jellyfish are also a threat to visitors, especially during the summer months.

Never forget to read about the Hygiene Law

Why? Any violation of hygiene laws in Qatar can result in a hefty fine and, in the worst case, even jail time. Therefore, travelers are advised not to throw or leave waste on the streets or public places. In fact, spitting is also something travelers should avoid at all costs.

Finally, don’t forget to always express how grateful you are for the food by saying alhamdulilah, which means ‘thank you and praise God’. Make sure the host hears you say it too!

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