Greetings, coffee rituals, shoes… What you need to know about traditions in Qatar

Orange with media services, Posted on Saturday 19 November 2022 at 07:00

On the eve of the 2022 World Cup kicking off in Qatar, here’s a brief guide to Qatari etiquette for foreign fans.

As the 2022 FIFA World Cup opens on Sunday, November 20, Qatar expects to welcome more than a million foreign fans who must obey the rules of the host country, which behind its skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls has a conservative Islamic state attached. to its traditions.

• Know some words from the Arabic language

With a population of 90% expatriates, English is largely spoken in Qatar, although the official language is Arabic. Speaking Arabic is not essential but knowing a few words can be appreciated, especially by Qataris.

• Cheers

In public places, it is appropriate to stand to greet others, especially the elderly.

You have to wait for the Qatari woman, who usually wears a long black dress and a light veil, to reach out to shake her hand.

Some prefer to place a hand over their heart in greeting.

• Little gestures of affection

Kisses and gestures of affection in public should be avoided, whether heterosexual or homosexual couples. Holding hands is accepted.

• Don’t refuse a gift

Like the people of other Gulf countries, Qataris are very hospitable, keen to project an image of respect and friendliness. It is important for visitors to accept whatever the host offers because refusing a gift can be considered a crime.

• Take off your shoes

Being invited to a country house means taking off your shoes at the entrance, but you should avoid pointing the soles of your feet toward your hosts.

• Don’t be surprised to eat food on the floor

Qataris sometimes eat on the floor, by hand, on a large plate like the Bedouins of the desert, even if they live in a large modern villa.

• Coffee ritual

Arabic coffee, the recipe of which consists of pure coffee beans roasted and then boiled with cardamom and saffron, is served in small cups called “Al-Funjan”, using a pitcher-shaped coffee maker called “Dallah”. This ritual, generally accompanied by the tasting of dates, is dear to all Gulf countries.

A symbol of the region’s traditions, the “dalla” is sometimes erected as a memorial in public squares.

At home, the host tastes the coffee first to ensure it is good enough to serve to guests. The latter should always drink with the right hand.

If the cup is returned to the person offering it, it means that the person wants more, while shaking the cup means they don’t want it anymore.