Qatar has a tradition of producing quality embroidered textiles and clothing. Qatar is not as strict as some of its neighbors in the region, but visitors should still show respect to the local customs and sensibilities.
Qatar's culture is very closely based on Islamic tradition. Islam influences day to day living, from the clothes Muslims wear to what they eat and drink.
On the whole, locals wear traditional attire. The Qatari National dress is the thobe (white full-length shirt dress), which is worn with a white, or red and white checked, headdress (gutra) for men and the black abaya (long, loose black robe, that covers their normal clothes) plus a headscarf (sheyla) for women. Some women also wear a thin black veil hiding their face, and / or gloves.
Women should avoid tight or revealing clothing and cover their shoulders and knees as well as be aware of the fact that disrespectful attire will invite disdainful stares. Qatar is a reasonably tolerant and welcoming country, with few restrictions placed on foreigners living in or visiting here.
Women are able to drive and walk around unescorted, and alcohol is available in licensed Five Star hotels.
Religion
For Qataris, Islam is about more than religion, it is a way of life. Qataris in general are conservative and most dedicatedly practice their religion.
Islam is based on five pillars: profession of faith or Al-Shahada, praying,fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and giving charity or Zakat.
Islam requires believers to pray five times a day. Friday is the holy day of the week. Fasting is observed for a whole month during Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and determined by the moon. Believers are required to fast from dawn until dusk.
Language
The official language of Qatar is Arabic. However, most of the population speaks and understands English.
Some helpful words & phrases:
Yes …………………………... Na’am
No ………………............... La-ah
Please ………………......... Min fadlak (m) / min fadliki (f)
Thank you ……………….... Shukran
Please (in offering) ……… Tafaddal (m) / tafaddali (f)
Greetings
Greeting
(Peace be upon you) …………… As-salaamu alaykom
Greeting
(in reply)………………………….. Wa alaykom is salaam
Good morning…………………… Sabah il-khayr (the ‘kh’ is pronounced as ‘h’ in ‘has’)
Good morning
(in reply) …………………………. Sabah in-nuwr
Good evening …………………… Masa il-khayr
Good evening (in reply) …………………………. Masa in-nuwr
Hello ……………………………… Marhaba
Hello
(in reply) …………………………. Marhabtayn
Goodbye ………………………… Ma is-salaama
Useful phrases:
I want a taxi..................Areed taxi
How much is it?............Kam qeemtah?
Cheap/ expensive........Rakhees / ghali
Restaurant...... Mataam
Toilets....Hammam
Stop!.....Waqif
Where is?.....Wain?
Tomorrow....Bukra
Yesterday....Ams
Today......Aliom
Take us to the airport............Kh’uthna ilal-matar