Qatar is a land of cultures and traditions that attracts travelers from every corner of the globe for embracing its beauty. The immense wealth, rich heritage, and splendid art of Qatar are unmatchable, offering you diversity to explore. Promising every traveler, a heartwarming welcome, Qatar reflects its heritage in its hospitality. Now, as Qatar lives by its values and traditions, there are some points every tourist needs to follow while exploring its extravaganza. Apart from boosting its enriching traditions and values, the nation expects tourists to respect its heritage by avoiding certain practices and habits in Qatar.
Honoring the beauty and values, here are some things to avoid in Qatar.
Top Things Every Tourist Should Avoid In Qatar
Qatar follows and lives by Islamic teachings. People living here have huge respect for their religion, honoring everything they have learned spiritually and religiously. While the country flaunts its magnificent architecture and panoramic vista, there are some rules set for every local and traveler. Being conservative in every way, there is much importance given to their culture and tradition. Here are some things you need to follow while you are on a holiday in Qatar.
1. Follow Etiquette In The Public
Talking about Qatari Do’s and Don’ts, the first thing to keep in mind is the way you present yourself in public. Smart dressing is an integral part of Qatar's rules and regulations that is to be followed by everyone. Unlike many Islamic nations, Qatar is particular about how men and women dress up in public, making it a compulsion for all to style up elegantly. While following the traditional attire is completely one’s will, tourists and Qatari people are required to follow the rules set for daily dressing.
As per the culture of Qatar, it is really important to cover their knees and shoulders. No short dresses or sleeveless clothing is allowed in public. Tourists here can style up in whatever way they want, keeping it elegant and modest. No swimsuits are allowed on the beaches in Qatar, and no body-hugging fashion attires are recommended. Even the climate is not favorable for such dressing so, it is best to choose loose and fully covering clothes.
2. Hygiene Laws To Follow For A Better Environment
People of Qatar are very possessive and particular about their surroundings and hygiene. This is the reason why Qatar is among the most beautiful countries in the world. Being a traveler, it came as a responsibility to maintain the hygiene and decorum, which is followed by every individual.
Coming to the point of what you shouldn't do in Qatar, make sure you are not violating the rules related to hygiene law and cleanliness. A fine of QAR 25,000 can be imposed on the individual, who is seen violating the law, or in worse scenarios, there can be imprisonment or both. So, make sure you are not littering around and hampering the beauty of clean surroundings.
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3. Photographing In the Public
The only thing that is keeping your memory alive today is the photographs you capture while traveling. Photos are a must no matter where we go, but while you are on a holiday, there are some Qatari do and don’t. Understanding the culture of Qatar, one needs to be very cautious while clicking photographs.
When it comes to capturing the landscape or the architecture and beauty of any monument, there are many religious attractions in Qatar where photography is prohibited. To preserve its authenticity, security, and respect the values, the law here does not allow clicking photos of military sites, religious places, and construction areas. Similarly, when you are in a public place, do not barge into some stranger, whether a local or a tourist. Clicking photos of the locals is not allowed. There is a strict law against such activities that can lead to imprisonment. But that does not mean that you cannot click photographs and carry your camera. You can contact the Qatar News Agency and get a permit to bring the camera and click photos, following the rules.
4. Behavior At A Public Place
Your conduct in public is something that can put you in trouble. Qatar believes in generosity, kindness, and polite behavior when you are in a public place. There are certain rules imposed to ensure a friendly and safe environment for all.
Being a traveler, the thing that you shouldn't do in Qatar is to show disrespect to the religion or speak against the values. There is an action against online posting and remarks made against the culture or any influential personality. No foreigner can get involved in vulgarity, showing obscene gestures, or speaking words that could hurt the sentiments of others. Humble and kind conduct is appreciated. When it comes to communicating with the opposite gender, no man is allowed to talk or touch an unknown woman. This is recognized as a crime, and one can face strict consequences.
Now, when it comes to personal behavior, the way you walk or sit, make sure you are coming out with the best of your personality. Never stretch your legs while sitting so that the soles of your shoes are visible to someone else. This is considered to be wrong and unmannerly.
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5. Etiquette For Eating
From being a guest at someone’s home to dining in at any restaurant in Qatar, it is expected for every traveler to follow proper etiquette. Unlike the western regions like Europe or America, Qatari don't use forks or knives to eat. While the restaurant serves you a proper fancy dinner, with every cutlery, there will be every dish served in the way you tend to eat. If there aren’t many rules set in any café or restaurant, one needs to be respectful towards the waiters. Calling them by showing the index finger is among the things to avoid in Qatar as it is considered rude. One should raise his/her arm to call the waiter and leaving some tip at the end is highly appreciated.
If you are invited to a traditional Qatari home, don’t feel strange about eating with a hand while sitting cross-legged. As per their tradition, they eat with their right hand and host using the same right hand. No shoes are allowed in the dining area. A gesture of a is shown by saying “Bismillah” before starting the meal and “Alhamdulillah” after finishing, to acknowledge the host.
6. Rules On Consumption of Alcohol
Alcohol is a taboo in Qatar and there are strict rules on consumption. As Islam is against the use of alcohol and drugs, drinking in Qatar is prohibited to some extent. Being a tourist, if you are looking for some buzz, there are clubs and bars for the best nightlife in Doha. The international hotels here have the finest bars and lounges for the international guests to enjoy the evening.
Drinking openly in the public is a strict no, and if you are under 21 years of age, entry is not allowed in any bar. One must not indulge in any crime or public display after consuming alcohol. Drinking and driving or open drinking is a crime and among the things not to do in Qatar.
Coming on alcohol import or any other drugs, there are strict rules and punishment for those who are caught importing alcoholic beverages and drugs in Qatar.
7. Invited By A Qatari, Never Reject the Invitation
While rejecting an invitation won’t lead you to jail, but this can cause some sentimental damage to the host. Qataris are generous and friendly who love inviting people and offering the best hospitality. So, if you are fortunate enough to be invited for a traditional welcome, never say no to such an invitation. This could be your best opportunity for better understanding their culture and relishing the tempting taste of every traditional food in Qatar.
Now taking our focus on how to present yourself as a guest, make sure you are not arriving without informing in advance. People of Qatar are very particular about their private space and time. Remove your shoes on entering the Majlis, eat with your hand, although the guest will offer you needed cutlery. One thing to avoid in Qatar while eating is accepting anything. Always use the right hand as accepting with the left hand is deemed to be inappropriate. The culture tends to make everyone generous and down to earth.
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8. Check Before Booking The Gender-Specific Hostel
If a luxury hotel in Qatar is out of your reach, you can look for hostels, offering you a budget stay. While there are no mixed-gender dorms, gender-specific hostels in Qatar are very popular, but you need to be sure before booking. These gender-specific hostels offer dorms to one gender only that means, specifically to women and men. The privacy policies of these hostels are not very clear so, it may be confusing to choose the right accommodation before your travel.
Traveling with friends of the opposite gender, the best is to book a hotel to avoid any inconvenience.
9. Beach Rules
From the public beaches in Doha to the private beaches, Qatar is among the best counties, offering you a diverse experience on your travel. Well, this is not something that comes as a strict Qatari do and don’t, but as far as your safety is considered, try to follow these rules. Walking barefoot is something to avoid for your safety.
The beaches here may house stone fishes that can be poisonous. Accidently if you step on any of the camouflaged fishes lying along with the shire, there are possibilities to get infected by their string. To avoid such a painful situation, make sure to wear your footwear. Drinking is not allowed on the beaches, and this can lead to some serious lawsuits.
Other beach rules include proper dressing with no nudity, swimming if not permitted, and littering.
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10. Illegal Import of Goods
The law against any crime is very strict, and when it comes to the illegal import of any item that is against the law and religion, one can face severe consequences. Here is a list of a few items that you must not consider adding to your luggage.
- Religious Books
- Pork Products
- Alcohol
- Drugs (Serious Offence)
- Videos with Inappropriate Content, etc.
Qatar has a rich culture that welcomes everyone irrespective of their caste and color. Known for hospitality and humbleness, every Qatari lives by values and religion, making the country safe and beautiful. It is the love and dedication towards their nation and religion, which makes these rules something that has to be followed by everyone. Being a responsible traveler, it came as a duty to acknowledge every regulation set by the governing body with the above-mentioned things to avoid in Qatar. If you truly want to blend in with the true essence and beauty, book your flights to Qatar and make sure you respect every aspect of the country.
FAQs
Qatar lies along the Arabian Peninsula, experiencing hot and dry weather. Summers can be extremely hot, making it difficult to explore, therefore the best time to visit the country is during winters. You can plan your holiday from November to March when the weather is pleasant and cool.
Qatar is among the safest countries in the Middle East with the lowest crime rates. The crime rates for pickpocketing and robbery are low, and people can even leave their belongings in the open.
Tourists in Qatar can dress up in smart casuals and formals as well. Only one thing needs to be followed while dressing up. No shorts and revealing dresses are allowed. Both men and women should wear clothes covering their knees and shoulders.
Alcohol consumption is not allowed in Qatar. There are some bars for tourists to enjoy a drink or two, but there are strict laws for excessive drinking. One must not indulge in any crime or public display after consuming alcohol.
There are certain restrictions on the display of public affection. Certain places in Qatar do not allow activities like hugging or holding hands. Make sure you respect the values of people living there.
As long as you are clicking photographs with your family at the beaches or other attractions, photography is not a matter of concern. But the religious sites and some historical heritages do not allow photography.
Exploring Qatar is easier as the country has the best transportation option. The Doha Metro offers a comforting and affordable ride to almost every attraction in the city. Apart from that, there are cabs, taxis, and buses available.
Alcohol, drugs, and the use of weapons, import religious books, obscene material, and pork-related products are strictly banned in Qatar.
