Qatar etiquette basics to know before FIFA World Cup
-
Hashim Sheikh
- . November 14, 2022
- . Update: November 14, 2022 11:41 pm
Qatar, the host nation for the World Cup, is a Muslim nation with a strong attachment to its values and traditions. It is home to sparkling skyscrapers and upscale retail complexes.
Here are some cultural customs that football fans should be aware of before travelling to the Gulf nation, which, like other Arab countries, takes pride in its hospitality. It is usual to stand up while greeting someone (especially the elderly) in public settings as a display of respect.
It is best for men to wait for Qatari women to take the initiative when greeting them before offering a handshake. For religious reasons, some people prefer to avoid making physical contact with people of the other sex. Therefore, while meeting ladies, Qatari males might not always extend a handshake.
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Qatar is frequently extend their right hand over their hearts as a friendly greeting in place of shaking hands. It’s best to keep public expressions of affection to a minimum. But holding hands is a common gesture.
Even though English is widely used in a 90% foreign-populated nation like Qatar, the locals highly value being able to greet and express gratitude in Arabic.
Remember to remove your shoes before entering a Qatari home if you are fortunate enough to be welcomed. In any situation, crossing your legs while seated with your feet facing the host is considered impolite.
Qataris frequently eat with their hands from big communal plates set down on the floor, a custom that originated in Bedouin desert culture.It is crucial to accept the gifts offered by your Qatari hosts because refusing them could be seen as an offence.
Qatar enjoys Arabic coffee, which is made by roasting coffee beans and then boiling them with cardamom and saffron. Arabic coffee is a favourite beverage throughout the Gulf.
The traditional, long-spouted “dallah” pots are used to pour the yellowish, tea-like brew into tiny cups, which are frequently accompanied with dates.The dallah is created as a monument in public places and serves as a cultural emblem for most of the Gulf region. It is common for hosts to taste the coffee before serving it to visitors to assess the flavour.
Drinks must be taken with the right hand only. Until you wave your cup to indicate that you have had your fill, the coffee will keep flowing.
