Anyone like Doha??
Jun 23rd 2012, 7:29 pm
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 5,965
Re: Anyone like Doha??
durham boy- 6 days I was bloody stuck there ill have you know! 6 days of my life lost 
Jun 24th 2012, 9:30 am
#33
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 5,965
Re: Anyone like Doha??
id see a doctor about that if i were you durham!
Jun 24th 2012, 12:57 pm
#34
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Qatar has successfully taken the best 2 star expertise from Beirut and Cairo and mixed it with 1 star expertise from Mumbai, thrown on top unlimited Bangladeshi and Pakistani technical perfection with a good smattering of Filipino technology, to give a truly remarkable 5 star international experience.
The level of indigenous incompetence is inversely proportional to the level of arrogance and the ability to do donuts, which is in fact their main reason for existence. It is a nation of confidence and future optimism built on a near 100% record of past failure.
If your aspiration is failure, you can afford QR 500/night for drink and food and you don't give a damn whether or not you get kicked out then it is an OK posting.
PS If you have family do not live more than one floor above ground level: there is not one safe piece of electrical installation anywhere in the country.
The level of indigenous incompetence is inversely proportional to the level of arrogance and the ability to do donuts, which is in fact their main reason for existence. It is a nation of confidence and future optimism built on a near 100% record of past failure.
If your aspiration is failure, you can afford QR 500/night for drink and food and you don't give a damn whether or not you get kicked out then it is an OK posting.
PS If you have family do not live more than one floor above ground level: there is not one safe piece of electrical installation anywhere in the country.
Jun 24th 2012, 1:14 pm
#35
Shark Fisherman
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Doha
Posts: 4,568
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Am I the only one who sticks up for Doha?! I see no difference in the incompetence levels here to what I saw in Dubai and AD. I think there is more to do here than Abu Dhabi and the people are friendlier. I have my mum here this week and so far she has been shopping followed by a night time booze cruise (Dhow trip), A day at a beach/pool lunch and then a 50th Birthday party a night at the Embassy where is there nothing to do? I have a trip to the desert planned, the inland sea (Probably not the best idea this time of year), Katara, Museum of Islamic art (I will probably not enjoy that), the Souks and Zoo. Mixed in amongst all that some good places to eat and drink and she has had a great 2 week holiday and busy........
Sure it costs a bit but less than dubai and its attractions?
I wouldn't leave this place to go back to the UAE for 10 Bonking Bex's and a lifetime of free wine.
Sure it costs a bit but less than dubai and its attractions?
I wouldn't leave this place to go back to the UAE for 10 Bonking Bex's and a lifetime of free wine.
Jun 24th 2012, 1:17 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 4,017
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Am I the only one who sticks up for Doha?! I see no difference in the incompetence levels here to what I saw in Dubai and AD. I think there is more to do here than Abu Dhabi and the people are friendlier. I have my mum here this week and so far she has been shopping followed by a night time booze cruise (Dhow trip), A day at a beach/pool lunch and then a 50th Birthday party a night at the Embassy where is there nothing to do? I have a trip to the desert planned, the inland sea (Probably not the best idea this time of year), Katara, Museum of Islamic art (I will probably not enjoy that), the Souks and Zoo. Mixed in amongst all that some good places to eat and drink and she has had a great 2 week holiday and busy........
Sure it costs a bit but less than dubai and its attractions?
I wouldn't leave this place to go back to the UAE for 10 Bonking Bex's and a lifetime of free wine.
Sure it costs a bit but less than dubai and its attractions?
I wouldn't leave this place to go back to the UAE for 10 Bonking Bex's and a lifetime of free wine.
Jun 24th 2012, 1:18 pm
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 4,017
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Qatar has successfully taken the best 2 star expertise from Beirut and Cairo and mixed it with 1 star expertise from Mumbai, thrown on top unlimited Bangladeshi and Pakistani technical perfection with a good smattering of Filipino technology, to give a truly remarkable 5 star international experience.
The level of indigenous incompetence is inversely proportional to the level of arrogance and the ability to do donuts, which is in fact their main reason for existence. It is a nation of confidence and future optimism built on a near 100% record of past failure.
If your aspiration is failure, you can afford QR 500/night for drink and food and you don't give a damn whether or not you get kicked out then it is an OK posting.
PS If you have family do not live more than one floor above ground level: there is not one safe piece of electrical installation anywhere in the country.
The level of indigenous incompetence is inversely proportional to the level of arrogance and the ability to do donuts, which is in fact their main reason for existence. It is a nation of confidence and future optimism built on a near 100% record of past failure.
If your aspiration is failure, you can afford QR 500/night for drink and food and you don't give a damn whether or not you get kicked out then it is an OK posting.
PS If you have family do not live more than one floor above ground level: there is not one safe piece of electrical installation anywhere in the country.
Jun 24th 2012, 2:29 pm
#41
Onwards and Upwards!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 884
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Things I like about Doha, 2 years in:
Booming economy with mega infrastructure plans
Insane growth 20% GDP p.a.
Decent work opportunities in construction
Technical capability is highly valued
Minimal HR bloat/ MBA types bouncing around
Safe and secure
Everyone works, no welfare scroungers
Totally tax-free
Cheap petrol (almost free)
Short commute to work
Decent work-life balance
Good International airport, with an easy hop to great holiday destinations
Guaranteed sunshine and gorgeous weather for 6 months of the year
The Corniche
Nice, cheap places to eat out, and generally good food
Good on the CV, everyone knows of Qatar and the World Cup 2022 plans.
I'll leave it at that for now.
[J]
Booming economy with mega infrastructure plans
Insane growth 20% GDP p.a.
Decent work opportunities in construction
Technical capability is highly valued
Minimal HR bloat/ MBA types bouncing around
Safe and secure
Everyone works, no welfare scroungers
Totally tax-free
Cheap petrol (almost free)
Short commute to work
Decent work-life balance
Good International airport, with an easy hop to great holiday destinations
Guaranteed sunshine and gorgeous weather for 6 months of the year
The Corniche
Nice, cheap places to eat out, and generally good food
Good on the CV, everyone knows of Qatar and the World Cup 2022 plans.
I'll leave it at that for now.
[J]
Last edited by Johnnyboy11; Jun 24th 2012 at 2:34 pm.
Jun 24th 2012, 3:32 pm
#42
Onwards and Upwards!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 884
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Things I don't like about Doha, 2 years in:
Insane cost of accommodation
High school fees and lack of availability
Shabby buildings and infrastructure standards, including most new-build
Q-Tel monopoly, in particular patchy ADSL/ Mosaic coverage and slow speeds
Poor sanitation in many parts of the city
Driving standards on the roads and poor road safety, particularly Landcruiser drivers
Constant insecurity at work, a national sport for Qataris
Dust, heat and humidity
Blatant racism on the part of a small section of the indigenous community, particularly 'Racism Day' every Friday
The Sponsorship system, particularly exit permits
Disregard for basic Health & Safety and common sense
Treatment of Indian / Nepalese labourers and the labour camp issue
Driving in the 'Industrial Area'
Immigration process, in particular the various blood tests and x-rays and having your fingerprints and photograph taken
The randomness of Government policies and procedures, compounded by employees that don't know what they are doing from one day to the next
Qatari kids left to run amok in public (and in moving vehicles)
Feels better getting that lot off my chest.
[J]
Insane cost of accommodation
High school fees and lack of availability
Shabby buildings and infrastructure standards, including most new-build
Q-Tel monopoly, in particular patchy ADSL/ Mosaic coverage and slow speeds
Poor sanitation in many parts of the city
Driving standards on the roads and poor road safety, particularly Landcruiser drivers
Constant insecurity at work, a national sport for Qataris
Dust, heat and humidity
Blatant racism on the part of a small section of the indigenous community, particularly 'Racism Day' every Friday
The Sponsorship system, particularly exit permits
Disregard for basic Health & Safety and common sense
Treatment of Indian / Nepalese labourers and the labour camp issue
Driving in the 'Industrial Area'
Immigration process, in particular the various blood tests and x-rays and having your fingerprints and photograph taken
The randomness of Government policies and procedures, compounded by employees that don't know what they are doing from one day to the next
Qatari kids left to run amok in public (and in moving vehicles)
Feels better getting that lot off my chest.
[J]
Jun 24th 2012, 3:42 pm
#43
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Windscale....
Posts: 5,712
Re: Anyone like Doha??
Things I don't like about Doha, 2 years in:
Insane cost of accommodation
High school fees and lack of availability
Shabby buildings and infrastructure standards, including most new-build
Q-Tel monopoly, in particular patchy ADSL/ Mosaic coverage and slow speeds
Poor sanitation in many parts of the city
Driving standards on the roads and poor road safety, particularly Landcruiser drivers
Constant insecurity at work, a national sport for Qataris
Dust, heat and humidity
Blatant racism on the part of a small section of the indigenous community, particularly 'Racism Day' every Friday
The Sponsorship system, particularly exit permits
Disregard for basic Health & Safety and common sense
Treatment of Indian / Nepalese labourers and the labour camp issue
Driving in the 'Industrial Area'
Immigration process, in particular the various blood tests and x-rays and having your fingerprints and photograph taken
The randomness of Government policies and procedures, compounded by employees that don't know what they are doing from one day to the next
Qatari kids left to run amok in public (and in moving vehicles)
Feels better getting that lot off my chest.
[J]
Insane cost of accommodation
High school fees and lack of availability
Shabby buildings and infrastructure standards, including most new-build
Q-Tel monopoly, in particular patchy ADSL/ Mosaic coverage and slow speeds
Poor sanitation in many parts of the city
Driving standards on the roads and poor road safety, particularly Landcruiser drivers
Constant insecurity at work, a national sport for Qataris
Dust, heat and humidity
Blatant racism on the part of a small section of the indigenous community, particularly 'Racism Day' every Friday
The Sponsorship system, particularly exit permits
Disregard for basic Health & Safety and common sense
Treatment of Indian / Nepalese labourers and the labour camp issue
Driving in the 'Industrial Area'
Immigration process, in particular the various blood tests and x-rays and having your fingerprints and photograph taken
The randomness of Government policies and procedures, compounded by employees that don't know what they are doing from one day to the next
Qatari kids left to run amok in public (and in moving vehicles)
Feels better getting that lot off my chest.
[J]
Jun 24th 2012, 6:50 pm
#45
Perky but sarky
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Limboland
Posts: 608
Re: Anyone like Doha??
I'd just like to point out that for *some* professions, having experience in the middle east on your cv is not a good thing. It might be all right for you boys and girls in construction, but for me I might as well write "did **** all, ate donuts." Not that I did **** all, but the standards are so low I may as well have.
