Who's online
There are currently 19 users and 1023 guests online.
Online users
Recent comments
- congrats Choilyn.....my
4 min 15 sec ago - jesus has this guy committed sucide?
42 min ago - Looks fabricated !
1 hour 5 min ago - in Doha and its
2 hours 3 min ago - interested
2 hours 3 min ago - I'm heading to AUH on Eid!
2 hours 7 min ago - where's choilyn? i hope
2 hours 9 min ago - i dont see any problem with
2 hours 9 min ago - Doha
2 hours 27 min ago - The UN should be slated for
2 hours 28 min ago
Allowable shows of affection in public?
Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can clear this up for me:
I know that public displays of affection (kissing, cuddlin, etc.) are very much frowned upon over here, but I'm wondering exactly what is allowed?
For example, would I be offending anyone if I held my wife's hand whilst out shopping, or linked arms with her?
Also, my mother is flying over from the UK next week - will I be public enemy #1 if I give her a big hug at the airport?!
I know they may seem like daft questions, but considering I'm only here in Qatar by the grace of the Qatari people, the last thing I want to do is offend them.
Cheers,
Rob
|
 |
QT Qs and Forums
QT Classifieds Page
Events
- Field Hockey Training(Events)(Now)
- DAR AL FOUNOUN ART SCHOOL @ WAQIF ART CENTER(Events)(Now)
- “The Orientalists” exhibition(Events)(Now)
- The 4th Asian Technical Gymnastic Championshi(Events)(Now)
- Thai Food Festival (Events)(Now)
- Qatar Philharmonic Rehearsal Recitals(Events)(21 hours)
- Vibe City Concert /-a-t-/ the Beach(Events)(2 days)
Guide to Qatar
- Sample Budget and Cost of Living
- Qatar Schools Database
- Residents Guide to Qatar
- Siteseeing in Qatar
- Traffic Rules
- Attending a Qatari Wedding
- Gift ideas from Qatar
- Best Bars in Doha
- Buying a used car in Qatar
- Renting in Qatar
- What to consider when renting in Qatar
- Preparing for Winter in Qatar
- Registering a birth in Qatar
- Blackberry phones in Qatar
- Old Qatar
- What's Happening in Qatar
- Online Shopping in Qatar
- What does Doha look like?
 |
|
 |
|
|
Poll
How often do you visit Qatar Living?
Once a week
5%
2 or 3 times a week
9%
Once a day
15%
A few times a day
39%
Every hour
11%
I'm on QL all day!
21%
Total votes: 629
| Site Sections : | |
| Classifieds : | |
| Site Information : |
 |
Qatar Living is an online community for everyone living in or interested in the State of Qatar. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the Poster. The views reflected by members on this site are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Qatar Living. Qatar Living is not responsible for any material submitted to the site. Any material posted is not endorsed, reviewed or approved by the Website Owner. |
dragonfly212 said
Dont worry too much, if she ...Dont worry too much, if she is your wife, normal hugs, holding hand, and kiss will not give you trouble,
and hug your mother that just arrived in Airport is normal scene.
just act normal. but dont show your affection too much with your wife in public.
"I asked God, 'How do I get the best out of life?' God said, 'Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. And prepare for the future without fear!'",_._,___
10thFloor said
Holding Hands ...It is OK for ladies to hold hands with each other here all day long. It is also OK for men to walk around holding hands all day long. It is not OK for a husband and wife to hold hands in public. Go figure.
KEEM said
mr.rob ...Go ahead and give your mom a big hug as much as you want ,I always do and kiss her head, I hope your mom have good time and arrive safely
AbuAmerican said
I hold hands with my wife ...I hold hands with my wife all the time and we walk past the police on the Cornish doing that. Hasn't been an issue and no one has said anything nor "frowned" upon us.
Mis-Cat said
My Husband and I ...have this thing wer I show him a huge display of public affection and he laughs it of by telling me better be careful or we might get arrested. but for the most part I dont think most people care. I have seen Arabic couples showing affection in public to and all i can think of is how great it is that some arranged marriages obliviously do work out for the best.
charansoi11r said
A married Philippino couple ...A married Philippino couple were jaild for kissing in Wakra Beach not so long ago:)
KEEM said
Every were in the world ...Every were in the world as long as you respect the place culture
Apple said
charan ...if they're really married, dont they have home to kiss all night?
charansoi11r said
That is the case. An offened ...That is the case. An offened Local called the police and got them arrested :(
azilana7037 said
PDA's depends what IS displayed ...Maybe the local find it so lewd that's why he/she called the police.
Holding hands, arms akimbo are a normal sight to see from couples in public places, airports in particular.
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!- UNKNOWN
Apple said
maybe.... ...torrid kissing they did in public?
if its just a kiss on forehead or cheek, i think not a problem!
KEEM said
charan ...Kiss outside in the open air have different feeling, it romantic, so on
BUT no need to do it in public open place
charansoi11r said
It is stictly phohibited ...It is stictly phohibited under the Law. Law is there but enforcement in relaxed. But they will apply the Law strictly if you offend the wrong person:(
heishi said
Depends ....
azilana7037 said
hmmmm...I agree but ...as responsible adults, they should realize that they are in the GULF, an arab/muslim country.
If they feel romantic, fine...but if the feeling intensifies, do it inside the privacy of their ROOM...
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!- UNKNOWN
Cool_Dude said
No problem at all.. ...You can walk anywhere with your hands linked with that your wife..
But watch-out if its someone else's wife..
azilana7037 said
right on, Cool_dude...lol ...but I guess it's already a common sight...especially if the other half is somewhere else...whehehehe
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!- UNKNOWN
whoami said
Holding hands is fine, ...Holding hands is fine, hugging is fine, linking arms is fine, a light peck is fine. It's not as restricted as some might think.
I've seen people putting their hands in their partners back pocket.
___________________________
Click here for Qatar info
kiwikitten said
funny I told my husband the ...funny I told my husband the other day that we had better stop holding hands to get used to not doing it - but looks like it will be ok!!
tallg said
Before I came out here ...Before I came out here everything I read said that even holding hands was frowned upon, and hugs and kisses were definitely out of the question.
But since I've been here it's obvious that people are far more relaxed about it. But of course, as with a lot of things in Qatar, if you offend the wrong person you could find yourself in trouble!
KEEM said
Relaxe ...http://www.qatarliving.com/node/95343
capricorian313 said
As long as you are doing ...As long as you are doing legitimate act no one will hold you, but if you do anythingn otherwise or you eel guilty then it will appear on your face
Live and let live...
tallg said
keem - from the link you ...keem - from the link you posted;
"public display of affection between men and women is highly discouraged and considered offensive."
Triple8 said
Holding Hands, ...A friend of mine, a loving couple were holding hands in Villagio mall (mind you the husband is physically a little handicapped - he kind of limp quite badly) and they were stopped by a plainclothed man (claimed that he is from the authority).
He asked whether they were married and when they answered yes, he then told them if it is so, then he is giving them a warning only this time, in future do not hold hand in public.
We just wonder whether this man is genuine or a pyscho. Anyway they dare not hold hands anymore.
owen said
what????!!... they are ...what????!!... they are married! why refrain married couples from holding hands?... :/
tallg said
My wife and I refrain from ...My wife and I refrain from holding hands because, as I mentioned above, when we were reading up about coming to Qatar everything said public signs of affection should be avoided as they are considered offensive, including holding hands.
Obviously people are quite relaxed about it, but as Easah Bee's comment shows, sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry as some people may still find it offensive.
owen said
tallg, i often see men in ...tallg, i often see (couple) men in thobe, lady in abbaya holding hands while walking in corniche.. so, does it mean someone would also stop them and discourage them to hold hands? i mean they should know about that right?
tallg said
Yeah, I've seen the same ...Yeah, I've seen the same owen. It seems that there's contrasting views on this. I reckon you're probably fine holding hands with your spouse, but every now and then a story pops up to the contrary.
What I find amusing is all the guys who wonder round the streets and malls holding hands and touching each other in a way that would be considered quite homosexual back in the UK! I guess that's cultural differences for you!
owen said
lol reminds me of my first ...lol reminds me of my first few days in Qatar... was asking my friend with me, how come im seeing a lot of people (i prefer not to mention nationality) same gender specially with men holding hands.. and not just sometime holding hands.. i mean you know those type.. too close for comfort.. but then again..maybe its there thing, but just the same they should be as well ask coz who knows... *gulp*
tallg said
lol owen - you're right, the ...lol owen - you're right, the guys are often far more affectionate than just holding hands! I have no problem with them doing it (though it seems odd in such a conservative society), but I still haven't got used to seeing it!
owen said
which makes me wonder ...which makes me wonder again.. what is CONSERVATIVE and what is not TO THEM?.. does IT applies again to what nationality you are?... anyway, bottomline, we, expatriates should always be on the safe side, if they said NO PDA then don't.. not unless you are ready to answer some questioning stares or point blank questions from convervatist (is this the right term?) ...
nadt said
my hubby always freaks out ...my hubby always freaks out when i give him a peck in public.......and i like to do it to see him freak out..lol....when he says we will get deported i say i wish...lol.......
whoami said
lol that's why I'm all for ...lol that's why I'm all for the olympics.
Imagine a flood of people wearing whatever they want, holding hands, etc... Qatar wouldn't dare try to impose alot of strict rules :P
Then after that, we'll have change!
___________________________
Click here for LOADS of Qatar info I♥Q <-- (Expat and Local Info)
novita77 said
lol ... about your ...lol ... about your 'deported' post Nadt !
Alexa said
Hmmm, whoami, and ...Hmmm, whoami, and where would those floods of people come from?
I recall, they were expected for the asian games....they must have somehow lost their way. In the end, school kids were bussed to fill some of those empty seats........
Oh, and since all the world is now pretty much aware of what is on and what is not on(with a few exceptions of course, as we surely do not want to generalize) in Islamic counties, the few that won't mind all that, are probably too scared of what you would hope they will be doing......don't you think?
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom : the music is nothing, if the audience is deaf.
Walter Lippmann
whoami said
[AT]alexa, if it's the .../-a-t-/alexa, if it's the 'world' olympics, they'll come from all over the world.
Plus the Asian olympics doesn't attract westerners because it's an olympics for people from the Asian and Middle East.
The government will want to be portrayed in a positive light, and will therefore not be as strict as it is with the laws.
___________________________
Click here for LOADS of Qatar info I♥Q <-- (Expat and Local Info)
Alexa said
Ah well, good luck ...Ah well, good luck then.
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom : the music is nothing, if the audience is deaf.
Walter Lippmann
tallg said
I think things will be very ...I think things will be very different in Qatar by 2016, (including the cultural aspects and conservative society aspects) regardless of whether they are awarded the Olympics or not.
vgaravani said
Easah Bee;; I bet it that ...Easah Bee;; I bet it that guy was messing around. A lot of my guy friends do that, mess with peoples heads I mean. They say it's dead easy to rattle foreigners. It's kinda funny too. Just childish pranks.
But hugging your mom is perfctly okay! Heck it'd be offensive if you didn't (well not really).
PDA go as far as a kiss on the cheek I guess.
smoke said
hey i've seen arab guys ...hey i've seen arab guys kiss other guys on the cheeks when they greet each other...heck i've seen them kiss on the lips too...and that really gave me the creeps its like hey how do u do and kiss kiss ewww anyways its ok to hold ur wife's hand no problemo :)
_[]~SMoKE~[]_
Triple8 said
Hi vgaravani, ...as you are under 18, I suppose your guy friends are also under 18, at such young age they are out to ratttle foreigners - and you called this childish prank - meddling with foreigners in your country (muslim culture is always to respect your guest) - I wonder what will become of these young guys when grow up to be adults. MashaAllah.