Job Discussion Forums

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

I've read through all the past posts on this forum and I know co habitation outside of marriage is a no-no, but how serious is it for Western couples? This is a question for myself and my co-worker, both of us have overseas significant others coming to visit for a couple of weeks, in my case its a boyfriend, and in his case a girlfriend. It seems silly to have them live in hotels while they visit, but what REALLY happens if we get caught with them living with us?

And if they can't live with us, doesn't that mean we can't stay the night at their hotels, or them at our places?

How seriously do I have to worry about being taken in front of the Moral Court of Qatar?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I knew of two couples that co-habited. Their companies knew about it but turned a blind eye.

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

That's what I thought, and what I've heard. But my company is very worried at the moment. They are new to the area and don't want to cause any problems.

I assumed that if anyone asks we would say that we're married. It's pretty common to have only one spouse living here in Doha. It's not like most people carry their marriage certificates around in their wallet.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

This year, a friend of mine(single female) was looking for a new place to live and had to tell the estate agent that she was married and her husband was back in England but would be joining her!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I would say that for a short term visit there is no problem. But as BD said... don't advertise it. They could always be passed off as siblings. Smile

Something that can draw unwelcome attention is if you are of differing races. If the significant other is an Asian and you are a Westerner, that might make the wrong person notice for a long term residence.

The key is discretion...

VS

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

My company is from back home in Halifax. They've just opened a new office in Doha. My boss is my next door neighbour. MY co-worker's girlfriend is in the head office back home. That and we all get along really well and hang out after work, so of course she knows about my personal life, she's met my boyfriend before. Welcome to moving from small town Canada to small town Doha.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Have fun Rin.

Richard_Gao · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Doha

My girlfriend stayed here for three weeks in my villa. as someone else said, the police certainly does not peek into windows to check who live there, unless, someone gives them a good reason to do so. Therefore discretion is the key.

but if you live in an apartment, that could be a problem if you have a nosy or religiously fanatic neigbours.

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

My Mom works at a school here that is owned by the Emir, and two days ago they had a conference with him and all the Al-THani (some 50 odd) children and parents at the school. Afterwards the teachers had to go to a private meeting. My mother, being my outspoken mother, asked which of the Muslim laws applied to Westerners. The Emir laughed and said that Qatari's realize that Westerners aren't usually Muslim, so many of the laws only apply in extreme circumstance (when your bothering someone), so wear what you want as long as it's resonably conservative (tank tops ok as long as not too much cleavage or belly showing, shorts not too far about the knees, please). And have your relationships as you would in the West, but please don't advertise it, be discreet.

So there you go, right from the Emir's mouth.

Richard_Gao · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Doha

That is actually interesting to hear the Emir said those things. Sounds to me that he's just making personal views to foreigners, but I doubt that he would repeat such statements in the company of other muslims.

This is very much unlike Malaysia, where the official law of the country is Syariah law (Islam law), but that only applies to Moslems. The non Moslem Malaysian, such as Chinese, or Indians, or foreigners are governed by Civil Law, which means it is illegal for Moslem to have pre-marital sex, but not so for other religious groups.

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

I'm thinking of opening a late-night adult club in Doha, along with an adult 'apparatus' shop. I would be employing hostesses there, who would be, I admit, rather scantily clad (semi see-thru skirts and tank-tops). As a promotional exercise, I would hope to have them on the street (a small number, just one or two) late at night distributing some advertising materials.

Apart from dancing and serving drinks, any services provided by the girls would be at their own discretion and their own business, done entirely in private.

What do you people out there think, would I get away with it or would some people take issue with the project? I've considered Dubai but have concluded there's a more vibrant and thus, viable market in Doha. Am I likely to get a licence? And what's the general consensus on whether my girls would get harrassed in any way? I would have some proactive security guards, of course.

lionbrian · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 136 Location: Micronesia

Bebsi,

Go ahead with your idea, it really seems interesting! Just to let you know that there are tons of places in Doha unadvertised and unknown to the foreign community.

A quick example: Sheraton hotel does it! They just brought about 25 good looking Moroccan girls last January: Day time: They work in coffee shops and around the hotel, evenings and nights, you will need to network with locals to get your business done!

What's happening in Doha & behind the doors: ONLY GOD KNOWS!

P.S: Rin: You are from Halifax! By the way, you are my neighbour in Canada (Good to know you)

My 5 cents!