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"Holding hands" esp for COUPLES

blosgirl's picture

I am just wondering what's the real score behind regarding "holding hands" in public places such as malls, corniche, or in Doha in particular esp for COUPLES. Ive heard that it is not allowed for couples holding each other hands in (Doha) public places and that only MARRIED are allowed... On the other hand, some say that only Qatari copules are not allowed in holding hands and rest of nationalities are fine to do it... can someone/anyone can shed their ideas or opinion please.... It would be nice to know....

Alexa's picture

Alexa said Ahhhhh, the priorities of ...

Ahhhhh, the priorities of life...essential, dear Watson, essential!

You mess with the cat, you get the claws....

 

britexpat's picture

britexpat said New one on me... ...

Never had any problems holding hands with her indoors.

Is this going to be another us and them and religion bashing thread ?

 

tallg's picture

tallg said There's no hard and fast ...

There's no hard and fast rule as far as I'm aware. Some say you can't, some say you can. Some get away with it, others get shouted at. Either way, it's been discussed to death on QL before. Try searching 'holding hands' or something.

 

charanmafiriyals's picture

charanmafiriyals said couples ...

You can see a lot of couples holding hands on Fridays on the areas like Souqs, National, Al Fradan etc.

However They are all Male+Male couples :)

Ban Spoon Feeding not Me

 

chocolate's picture

chocolate said relax- This is Qatar- not a ...

relax- This is Qatar- not a convent school.

 

666's picture

666 said Charan who was your partner ...

Charan who was your partner last weekend?

 

WitchStix's picture

WitchStix said i do it and i dont care ...

i do it and i dont care ;)

"And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course" -Khalil Gibran

 

charanmafiriyals's picture

charanmafiriyals said 666 - Don't worry not your ...

666 - Don't worry not your G/F. I have a Brand new one these days flown all the way from Thailand:)

Ban Spoon Feeding not Me

 

charanmafiriyals's picture

charanmafiriyals said WitchStix ...

We know you are very courageous like ROBERT MUGABE :)

Ban Spoon Feeding not Me

 

AbuAmerican's picture

AbuAmerican said I hold my wife's hand ...

I hold my wife's hand everywhere. No problems as of yet. It's been a year so far.
______________________________________________
Brazilian Jujitsu in Qatar
http://iloveqatar.ne...

 

WitchStix's picture

WitchStix said robert mugabe?? ...

robert mugabe?? courageous??!! hmph!!!! why why why must you always bring him up and spoil my day :P

"And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course" -Khalil Gibran

 

charanmafiriyals's picture

charanmafiriyals said He is your President for ...

He is your President for Life :)

Ban Spoon Feeding not Me

 

alsboy's picture

alsboy said Flow... ...

Only advice... Just go with de flow... Wanna hold hands, hold... Dont want 2... 4get abt it... Life is beautiful...!!! :)

 

SheDBabe's picture

SheDBabe said My Hubby & I ...

always hold hands where ever we go..No ones said anything yet!

 

Pieman's picture

Pieman said If you can scratch your ...

If you can scratch your balls in public then holding hands should'nt be such a big issue

just eat another pie

 

Loulsy's picture

Loulsy said Well ...

I hold hands.. i mean its not a major issue holding hands.. just dont go for more than that in public.. ;-)

WYSIWYG

 

Amoud's picture

Amoud said I dont know how you would be ...

I dont know how you would be known to be a married couple... I cant imagine the police asking you for your marriage certificate if they caught you holding hands.

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

 

goodlookin's picture

goodlookin said I was able to get away with ...

I was able to get away with more than just holding hands with the gf in Doha!

 

Vegas's picture

Vegas said I only see guys holding hands...And no one seems to mind...LOL ...

You can't teach experience...

 

falcon_sl's picture

falcon_sl said not anymore ...

yes there was a time we are shy to holding hands and go around doha.but not anymore time has changed..more changes coming hahahah

 

falcon_sl's picture

falcon_sl said are you looking ...

hi sweety are you looking to hold a hand..

 

Platao36's picture

Platao36 said Can't talk about Qatar but ...

Can't talk about Qatar but in Morrocco it's ok to hold hands, more than that it's forbidden.

Regarding Men holding hands, i read somewhere it has nothing to do with sexual preferences but a sign of friendship, but i guess a Qatari or other muslim will know it better.

Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي

I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ

 

blosgirl's picture

blosgirl said oh well... ...

i figured... anyways, good to know peeps... that helps.
at least it clears me now and i can have 'holding hands' with myself... lol!

"To ignore the facts does not change the facts."

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said but why? ...

holding hands at a romantic moment in a restaurant or while having a slow walk along the beach is justified.....but why do couples hold hands when they go out.....like in the malls,etc.?are they scared one of them will run away or get lost?or is it just a way of showing the world look-at-us-we-are-so-in-love-na,na,na,naaa,na!

i don't get it....

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

blosgirl's picture

blosgirl said hmmm ...

it shows that they care for each other or maybe they wanted the world to know that 'hey, this my girl' or ' hey, this my man' and how sweet couples they are (some showy peeps are fund of that thing)... but for some, like myself, only shows the caring for each other. dont care what other people say...who care anyway...

"To ignore the facts does not change the facts."

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said somehow.....i prefer in ...

somehow.....i prefer in keeping my emotions for my partner strictly to our privacy.....love is not meant to be exhibited,in my perspective.it's a very personal thing and is all the more charming when it's kept that way.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

lollipop's picture

lollipop said I've seen everyone from ...

I've seen everyone from locals to expatriates holding hands in the mall - male/male and male/female.

No one bats an eyelid!


 

Amoud's picture

Amoud said Sometimes it is to show ...

Sometimes it is to show people that they are taken. I have had women make a pass at my hubby when I am out with him, he grabs my hand or arm and grins.... and vice versa..

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said amoud.... ...

yeah....those are dire situations when we're like forced into doing something like that.....but it looks funny when we see people walking hand-in-hand just for the sake of it.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

someonenew's picture

someonenew said I like holidin hands with my ...

I like holidin hands with my hubby, donno if its a romantic thingy but its defintely not a "he's mine" thingy, I guess its a habbit, no one cares in Bangalore so didn't really think abt it, now forced to think abt it and cant think of a reason......

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

 

roadtripper's picture

roadtripper said only in middle east ...

only here in this part of the world they are not allowing such thing as holding hands with ur wife or GF....BUT... male to male holding hands with pa sway sway pa are very common here...i wonder y? better ask ur indian friends.. LOL

Don’t be anxious about tomorrow, Let tomorrow be anxious of itself....JC

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said 1 doubt! ...

will there be any less love between a couple if they DON'T hold hands in public?

or does it at least remotely imply so if they don't hold hand in public?

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Amoud's picture

Amoud said Svelt I am really thinking ...

Svelt I am really thinking about this now... and you are right, I dont love my husband less if he doesnt hold my hand. Actually he hates holding hands, and insists on arm and arm.

I think sometimes he just gotta feel like hes "the man".

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said amoud.... ...

i guess it's all personal stuff.....some people hold hands to 'show they are taken',some 'just for the sake of it' and some others have reasons of their own.

while some don't like the concept in totality....i.e.,public exhibition of feelings....esp if they pertain to matters of the heart.....like me.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

someonenew's picture

someonenew said Well its not exactly holding ...

Well its not exactly holding hands really... its not that the moment we're out of the house we're like "ok time to hold hands now" like I said before its not really clear why we do it or when we do it, just happens...

Amoud whats an arm n arm?

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

 

britexpat's picture

britexpat said OK.. I need clarification on ...

OK.. I need clarification on something.. Perhaps Amoud, Amnesia or Diamond can help..

Has anyone actually been told off or prosecuted for holding hands with their wife in public??

The reason I ask is that i lived in Saudi for a while.. I often held hands with my wife whe in malls or shopping and no-one ever said anything to me..

 

LifeisBeautiful's picture

LifeisBeautiful said It's ok but be careful ...

Hold hands but leave them the moment you see any local family/couple...They might object. I think there is a law prohibiting public diplay of affection which include kissing,cuddling,holding hands,sleeping with head on the partners'lap in parks etc.

Life is Beautiful...Indeed!

 

journalistgirl's picture

journalistgirl said Britexpat...U held hands in ...

Britexpat...U held hands in Saudi and u DIDN'T get into trouble??? Wow that's amazing! Someone i knew worked in Saudi in the mid 90's and got into trouble simply cos he was simply smiling in the pic on his ID card (he's a married man btw, and morally upright, so it wasn't like he was doing anything he shouldn't have)...needless to say that just cracks him up now :-P

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said someoennew.... ...

so u mean to say that it's something like an involuntary action of sorts?

i remember one of my cousins at bangalore doing the same thing.once she sees her BF,their hands would stick to each other like super-glue!even when he's ordering pizza and drinks for the two of them,her hand would be securely hald in his hand!and they'd let go only when he drops her back home!when i asked her whether she'd feel insecure if they don't something as silly as that,she told me that if she doesn't walk hand-in-hand with her BF,it's considered "uncool" by her peers.....so much so that she and her BF (fiance,rather) would not even be accepted as a pair!whoa!talk of limits!man!

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said journalistgirl..... ...

really?the poor fella got into trouble for 'smiling'????sheesh!i'm sure i'd have got sued then! :-D

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

tallg's picture

tallg said brit - ...

brit - http://www.qatarlivi...

But then you see plenty of Qataris hold hands.

 

britexpat's picture

britexpat said Journalistgirl.. ...

I find that strange, but perhaps he was based in or around Buraidah.. which is extremely conservative.. They don't even allow selling of cigarettes..

 

Platao36's picture

Platao36 said Svelte: You know what's to ...

Svelte: You know what's to love someone? You know what it is not to be allowed to kiss in public and forbidden to be in private before 2 persons are single?
If you can't kiss why tha heck can't you hold your love hands?

Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي

I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ

 

britexpat's picture

britexpat said TallG.. ...

Thanks..

I had a similar experience before I went to saudi.. The "lierature" provided by the company listed do's and don'ts.. But i reality , things were quite easy going..

My point is that is theer actually a prohibition against holding hands in public or is it here say or something that applied to a conservative society 20 years ago, but is not valid in today's Qatar..

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said platao.... ...

i DO know what it is to love someone and am very happy too(touchwood).....but neither of us have never felt the need to hold hands in PUBLIC....we're much happier and comfortable showing our affection in our privacy.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Salmamohd's picture

Salmamohd said I DIN KNOW DAT:( ...

I DIN KNOW DAT:(

 

Amoud's picture

Amoud said Goodness I have been here ...

Goodness I have been here what seems like forever (over a decade) and have never been bothered for going arm in arm with my husband. I will give you a bit of funny cultural info... my husband refuses to hold hands as this is "boyfriend/girlfriend" behavior, but insists on me looping my arm around his. I guess this is behavior of respectable married people lol...

In all seriousness, I hate to see 2 people kissing in public (I have seen a lot of it with old Expat guys and their toy wives). We dont smooch at home in front of the kiddies and I dont like to see it when I am sitting with my family having lunch.

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

 

Platao36's picture

Platao36 said Svelte: You didn't read all ...

Svelte: You didn't read all i said. If you are single you aren't allowed to be in same house as a single girl that it isn't part of your familly.

Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي

I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said amoud.... ...

well-said.....that's exactly my point!why do something in front of the world what you can't do in front of your own kids?right?

walking arm-in-arm is nice to see.....esp among married couples.somehow,this 'holding hands in public' is a surefire turn-off for me.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said platao.... ...

i do understand what u're talking about.....i too come from a very conservative and orthodox family background that does not even allow excessive hugging,kissing,or even touching even between own brothers and sisters after they come of age......it's needless to say about other single men.talking to them freely or mingling with them too much is looked down upon and such a girl is branded to be 'too modern'.....things ahve changed a bit now,since many of us attend universities and interaction with the opposite sex is inevitable.even then,we prefer to keep it low-key.....at least for the sake of the family.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Platao36's picture

Platao36 said Svelte: Thanks 4 ...

Svelte: Thanks 4 understanding my point :)
My prob is that my gf may have problems with authorities in Morocco if we go an house to kiss in private.

Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي

I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said platao.... ...

it's the same condition in all conservative societies,my dear friend........

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

WitchStix's picture

WitchStix said WHAT>???!!! walking arm in ...

WHAT>???!!! walking arm in arm is nice to see but holding hands is not?? what BS... so illogical seriously! why the big issue people? couples in love like to hold their partners hands to show afection towards each other...its nice to have a hand to hold. i love it and i will continue to do it. as long as you're not indecent i dont see what the issue is...

"And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course" -Khalil Gibran

 

FadiYounes's picture

FadiYounes said mess with the cat, you get ...

mess with the cat, you get the claws....


 

Platao36's picture

Platao36 said Svelte: Yes, i know, it suxs ...

Svelte: Yes, i know, it suxs :)

Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي

I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ

 

amnesia's picture

amnesia said all my friends hold their ...

all my friends hold their girlfriend's hand, it's fine. There is NO law against it.

__________________________
Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said witchstix.... ...

i'm not against holding hands or anything of the sort.....the argument is,why do it in public???what's the psychology behind it?

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

blosgirl's picture

blosgirl said cuz... ...

'cuz its what people like to do and probably to show/prove ur partner that either of u are not ashame to be him/her as ur partner even in public places that ure together...

"To ignore the facts does not change the facts."

 

Jarreau's picture

Jarreau said never had any problems ...

I often hold hands with my hubs, nobody ever said anything. Yes we were told that holding hands was not alloud but i also see Qatari do it more then often.. So i just thought that it wasn't a big problem. Just as long as it is just holding hands.. don't show more/extra affection for your partner.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Life is nothing without friends.... :)

QL.... just a (very nice) way of live..... :)


 

Amoud's picture

Amoud said Sorry guys, I think me and ...

Sorry guys, I think me and Svelt took it off track. She had asked why we do it and if we dont do we love our partner any less. I got to thinking of the signifigance and so forth and the post turned out like this.

I think partners who hold hands are cute, especially if they are a little old man and his lady.

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

 

nice too nice's picture

nice too nice said You can hold hands....But ...

You can hold hands....But why you wanted to do in public?? I don't understand the logic behind that. Are they trying to show the public that they love each other much????
Love is strictly personal and I prefer to feel it in private moments, will be more affectionate than in public..

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said nice...amoud... ...

at least you ppl got my point....thank God for that....

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Peppermint's picture

Peppermint said me & my husband holding ...

me & my husband holding hands where ever we go & i dont see any problem about it...

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said pepper.... ...

but WHY do you have to do it?that's my question!is it a strange feeling of insecurity?or showing off to the world that u're in-love/married/taken/whateva?

i reckon holding hands is a sign of love and intimacy.....and such things are best expressed in privacy.why display it to the world?

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Peppermint's picture

Peppermint said we just like to do it... And ...

we just like to do it... And sometimes it helps to avoid other men (specially those maniacs) staring or might harrass me. I had one experienced while waiting for my husband outside the mall, there was one guy who talked to me, first asking for the time then later on asking already for my name, where do i live, & number.

Sometimes its more on security reason my friend.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

Peppermint's picture

Peppermint said besides holding hands (men ...

besides holding hands (men to men) is fine here but holding hands (wife & husband) is not allowed? Whats that?

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

El Zohiry's picture

El Zohiry said well, i think it is the ...

well, i think it is the right of any couple to hold hands when ever where ever they want. respect to the culture has nothing to do with holding hands. lets not mix the stuff.

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said whateva! Keep ...

whateva!

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Peppermint's picture

Peppermint said svelte_saggi -- besides ...

svelte_saggi -- seeing couples holding each other hands will not kill u so u don’t have to worry about it!

But if its really bothering u my friend, better to avoid places like malls or any other places that u might see couples holding hands because u cant stop them....

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

Amoud's picture

Amoud said I think that the security ...

I think that the security issue was already brought up and it was agreed that this was something different altogether.

I find it interesting that Svelt brought up the point as to why we do it. Only thing I can think of is I feel proud of my gorgeous honey and want everyone to envy his cuteness with me attached to his arm :). I think he also feels like a fat cat when I insist on going arm and arm with him, like he is my protector. I dunno, I cant really pinpoint it.

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said pepper..... ...

sure,it won't kill me......but i usually avert my eyes if and when my eyes accidentally fall on some sight like that....i consider even looking at such a sight equivalent to intruding somebody's privacy.....it's just my viewpoint,gurl.i give a lot of importance to privacy and fiercely protect mine too.

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

debeers's picture

debeers said It's cute, just don't overdo ...

It's cute, just don't overdo it
**************************
Everything happens for a
reason.

 

El Zohiry's picture

El Zohiry said Amoud, your expiantion was ...

Amoud, your expiantion was perfect. i love to be a fat cat :)

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said i kinda like that ...

i kinda like that term.....'fat cat' :-D

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Peppermint's picture

Peppermint said or maybe reasons will all ...

or maybe reasons will all depends on the person who sees it right? Meaning if ur too malicious or not.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said pepper...... ...

possibly,yeah.....and each has a reason for his/her own behaviour.i know i've got mine.....and i'll stick to it,no matter what!

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

Peppermint's picture

Peppermint said svelte_saggi -- yup & i ...

svelte_saggi -- yup & i respect ur opinion.

Cheers! =D

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

 

svelte_saggi's picture

svelte_saggi said pepper.... ...

:-) cheers to you too :-)

Keep smiling!

Saggi!

 

goodlookin's picture

goodlookin said I don't understand, why ...

I don't understand, why would you hold hands indoors?

isn't that a bit pre-school?

 

RocknRoll's picture

RocknRoll said No problem in my experience ...

We hold hands in public. She wears an Abaya when she feels like it. I never dress like an Arab. Nevertheless, we hold hands everywhere and not a single incident to report.

I think the whole restrictions thing is overblown.

 

blosgirl's picture

blosgirl said closure ...

oh well, guess all the queries/doubts have been answered well (hopefully)... time to close the curtain then.. Thanks folks for the time! Adelante!

----------*-----------*-----------*----------*---------
"To ignore the facts does not change the facts."

 

faded_blue's picture

faded_blue said Eyyy....it has a simple ...

Eyyy....it has a simple solution....one of you should pretend to be blind...then you will have all the rights to hold his/her hands....you can even spare some hugs...relieving your doubts...hehehe...;)

 

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