A Brief Overview to Qatar’s Language and Culture

Lifestyle in Qatar

Convenience stores are called baqalas.

Have you forgotten your toothbrush or are you looking for a quick food stop? Although there are a lot of baqalas in Qatar, there are no 7/11s there.

The name "Baqala," which is pronounced "ba-ka-la," refers to a small store that sells food, snacks, drinks, toiletries, power cords, and other items. Doha residents and locals frequent the baqalas that are dispersed around the city's neighborhoods for convenience.

Ladies-only places

In Qatar, women frequently have their own lines and waiting spaces. Follow the guidelines and be aware of any "ladies only" or "women only" signs.

In Qatar, salons and spas are typically separate for men and women and are very private spaces. Additionally, there are parks and beaches that are exclusively for women.

Men are not permitted in places or spaces that are reserved for women.

Modest clothing

It's crucial to be aware of and respectful of the cultural norms governing attire in Qatar. In public spaces including malls and parks, visitors, locals, and Qataris are expected to dress modestly.

We advise sticking with shirts and jeans and avoiding anything that extends above the knee because the usual rule is to avoid exposing too much skin. When visiting police or ministry offices, avoid wearing shorts.

Weekends

In Qatar, the work week runs from Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday serving as the weekend. In Islam, Fridays are important days for congregational prayers.

Because Qatar is an Islamic nation, most businesses close on Fridays between 11:30 am and 1 pm for congregational prayers. Before going, make sure to confirm the business's Friday hours.

Local lingo

As salam alaykum

Peace be upon you, or "As salam alaykum," is one of the most widely used salutations in Doha. In less formal circumstances, the word "salam" alone might be used as a greeting.

"Wa alaykum as salam," which is Arabic for "peace upon you too," is the typical response.

Reminder: When meeting someone of the opposing gender for the first time, avoid shaking hands.

Khali wali

Another well-known idiom is "khali wali," which translates to "leave it be" or "forget about it."

Inshallah

Inshallah, which meaning "God willing," is sometimes used to signify "hopefully" or "let's see."

Mafi Mushkila

Mafi Mushkila translates to "no problem".

Exceptional beverages

Only a few legal restaurants in Qatar sell alcoholic beverages, and no explicit mention of the region's culture or Islamic beliefs is made in their advertising.

There are specific phrases that businesses use to advertise that they provide alcoholic beverages, like:

• Special beverages
• Bubbly
• Enhanced beverages
• Sips
• Hops

Hubbly-bubbly

Similar to alcoholic beverages, hookah or shisha is occasionally referred to as, and is modestly advertised by businesses as:

Hubbly-bubbly

Hubble-bubble

Hookah