| Qatar
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Food
& Drink
While the best food is usually found in hotels,
Indian, Chinese, Persian, Thai, American and Western cuisine is
also available. All the major hotels have good public restaurants
and most offer outside catering of high quality, waiters, cutlery
and crockery will be provided on request. There are a reasonable
number of places to eat in Doha, including snack
bars which serve fast foods, as well as the traditional
Levantine shawarma and Egyptian foul and taamiyeh. Restaurants are
uncommon outside the capital.
Alcohol
is prohibited and should not be drank in public, however some international
hotels may serve alcohol.
Nightlife
Public entertainment is rather limited in Qatar,
Doha has a cinema showing English language films, and there is also
the National Theatre. Live entertainment is infrequent, however
some international artists do perform in Qatar.
Shopping
There are numerous large modern malls, with cinemas,
restaurants and other facilities as well as brand shops. The old
souks remain popular for bargains.
General Shopping
hours are Saturday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm
and 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm or later, with the malls open until 9.00
pm or 10.00 pm. Some shops close on Friday.
Social
Conventions
The visitor should be fully attentive of Muslim religious
laws and customs. Women should always
dress reasonably. It is also worth noting that, while it is acceptable
to cross legs, showing the sole of the foot or unintentionally pointing
it at a person is considered an insult.
At business and social functions,
the traditional Qatari coffee, in tiny handleless cups, will consistently
be served. This is a ritual of welcome with strict rules, guests
are served in order of seniority, a few drops at 1st, then, after
3 or 4 others have been served, the server returns to fill the 1st
cup, always hold the cup in the right hand, 2 cups are polite, but
never take only 1 or more than 3.
Tipping
Taxi drivers do not expect a tip in Qatar. A service charge is often
added to bills in hotels and most restaurants, otherwise 10 % is
appropriate. |
