Qatar

[pembsbluebird]

This board never ceases to amaze me in terms of how widely travelled and informative its members are. How many of you have been to Qatar?

I've been selected to undertake a 6 month secondment in my firm's Doha office from September and any advice based on your personal experiences would be appreciated. Having only ever lived in Pembrokeshire, Cardiff and Nottingham, I'm expecting some slight differences!

[bobh]

I haven't been there, but I hear it's hot.
http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/getmycoat.gif

[BlueWales]

I suffered from it a lot when I was younger.

All that damp air in the valleys.

[Observer]

Get a 6-string one http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/thumbup.gif

[Observer]

TBG has probably been there about 10 times http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif

[Taunton Blue Genie]

TBG has probably been there about 10 times http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gifAfraid not. Jordan is the nearest I have been to it. Jordan the country, that is.

[cityviking]

I hear its great for the booze and babes http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif

[adz-a32]

I stumbled into a World Cup stadium, met a dickhead who made me work and my best friend died http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/sad.gif http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/cry.gif

I went there in 2006, bird I was with at the time was out there teaching English. Managed to coincide my visit with the Asian games albeit they weren't a great standard anyway. It was 35 plus in December, booze was difficult to obtain and the locals were rich and obnoxious.
At the time all Qatari nationals were given an amount of money every year just for being a national. Oddly the cost of living was really low when you consider how many people there were completely minted, stark contrast to neighbouring Jordan where there is little oil, and a largely nomadic population the cost of living was extortionate
I wouldn't look to go back unless it was for the World Cup. There's nothing to do there and it's less developed than Dubai so pointless going really

[Mad as a fish]

Im sure its just a matter of minutes before Mick the Miller will give you the benifit of his numerous visits.

[Spoilt Victorian Child]

This board never ceases to amaze me in terms of how widely travelled and informative its members are. How many of you have been to Qatar?I was recently offered a job out there. Didn't really consider it but got chatting to someone who had done it. They really enjoyed it. Said it isn't as rigid and strict as some people expect and the people were really nice though very expensive, which they said ate into the wage so the tasty pay packet you'll probably be getting has to be put in context (unless the company are paying for your accommodation).

[Vimana.]

TBG has probably been there about 10 times http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif
Afraid not. Jordan is the nearest I have been to it. Jordan the country, that is.I suspect that Katie Price would have made for a very exciting entry (ho ho readers) on the legendary spreadsheet d'amour. http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/smiley.gif

[pembsbluebird]

This board never ceases to amaze me in terms of how widely travelled and informative its members are. How many of you have been to Qatar?
I've been selected to undertake a 6 month secondment in my firm's Doha office from September and any advice based on your personal experiences would be appreciated. Having only ever lived in Pembrokeshire, Cardiff and Nottingham, I'm expecting some slight differences!I'm expecting the wining and dining to be expensive but I should be able to cope with that as my employer is paying for the accommodation and all household bills. With an additional weekly subsistence allowance also being provided, I'll be in the extremely privileged position of retaining nearly all of my salary as disposable income. Now what to spend it on......?!

[Observer]

TBG has probably been there about 10 times http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif
Afraid not. Jordan is the nearest I have been to it. Jordan the country, that is.
Awww.. that's a shame.I just want to say my entry of Jordan was distinctly average.

[surge]

This board never ceases to amaze me in terms of how widely travelled and informative its members are. How many of you have been to Qatar?
I've been selected to undertake a 6 month secondment in my firm's Doha office from September and any advice based on your personal experiences would be appreciated. Having only ever lived in Pembrokeshire, Cardiff and Nottingham, I'm expecting some slight differences!
I was recently offered a job out there. Didn't really consider it but got chatting to someone who had done it. They really enjoyed it. Said it isn't as rigid and strict as some people expect and the people were really nice though very expensive, which they said ate into the wage so the tasty pay packet you'll probably be getting has to be put in context (unless the company are paying for your accommodation).For 6 months only, I think you'd have to have a really strong reason to turn it down.

[pompeyblue]

This board never ceases to amaze me in terms of how widely travelled and informative its members are. How many of you have been to Qatar?
I've been selected to undertake a 6 month secondment in my firm's Doha office from September and any advice based on your personal experiences would be appreciated. Having only ever lived in Pembrokeshire, Cardiff and Nottingham, I'm expecting some slight differences!
I was recently offered a job out there. Didn't really consider it but got chatting to someone who had done it. They really enjoyed it. Said it isn't as rigid and strict as some people expect and the people were really nice though very expensive, which they said ate into the wage so the tasty pay packet you'll probably be getting has to be put in context (unless the company are paying for your accommodation).Lots of ex-pats are involved with the rugby club out there I'm sure mainly for the social side, you can have a beer BBQ etc, I'm guessing the also have a cricket club with the same social scene. Not the best of the middle eastern countries but not bad especially as your accomidation is being paid for. Should be well worth it.

[BLUETIT]

A good linctus should clear it up. http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif

[swiss pete]

I spent much of 2012 working there. It wasn't for me. Doha is a city of new high rise buildings in the middle of the desert, with no culture, history or soul, and a ropey (at best) regime.

Having said that, there are plenty of people from my company who have gone out there on a long term basis and seem to like it - building their lives around the ex-pat thing and some good opportunities for sport and outdoor life

[pembsbluebird]

This board never ceases to amaze me in terms of how widely travelled and informative its members are. How many of you have been to Qatar?
I've been selected to undertake a 6 month secondment in my firm's Doha office from September and any advice based on your personal experiences would be appreciated. Having only ever lived in Pembrokeshire, Cardiff and Nottingham, I'm expecting some slight differences!
I was recently offered a job out there. Didn't really consider it but got chatting to someone who had done it. They really enjoyed it. Said it isn't as rigid and strict as some people expect and the people were really nice though very expensive, which they said ate into the wage so the tasty pay packet you'll probably be getting has to be put in context (unless the company are paying for your accommodation).
Thanks. This is the recurring message that I'm getting from reading various guides to Doha/Qatar. Although not as Westernized as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, it is not as strictly conservative as perceived from the outside. No chance of me turning it down; I accepted it the day I was offered it last week. Such career opportunities don't present themselves too often. Weather should be perfect there between September and March - average highs of 35 in September to lows of 20 in December/January. Missing out on a Welsh winter and the inevitable season of City mediocrity will be a bonus http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/thumbup.gif

[In The Saints]

It strikes me as a vulgar country with no culture, at least none that appeals to me. Personally I would prefer my tourist money to not contribute to the economy of a country that I consider to be morally bankrupt in many ways. Having said that, the same argument could exclude half the globe, possibly including the UK. I know several colleagues who have visited Qatar and claimed to have enjoyed it. Just personal preference I suppose.

[Scotty boy]

Stopped off in Dubai for a few days for our honeymoon, before Mauritius. Wouldn't rush back & I heard Qatar is worse. How they won the World Cup is just bizarre & ££ $$$ http://www.ccmb.co.uk/images/smiley_icons/rolleyes.gif

They all seem the same these countries, large high rise buildings in the desert with no soul or pavements. You have to drive everywhere & all expensive, especially booze !