Qatar people love to make friends. Whenever guests come to visit, no matter how busy they are, they must stop and receive them warmly. When receiving friends from Arab countries, you should hug each other and kiss each other cordially on the forehead; when receiving other foreign friends, you should shake hands. Of course, these greetings are only done between friends of the same gender. When Qataris meet, they first say "Salam Alakum" (hello), then shake hands and say "Kaif al-Halaq" (good health). In public places, when greeting others, especially elders, follow the following rules: It is customary to stand up to show respect.

When a man greets a Qatari woman, it is best to wait for the woman to extend her hand before shaking hands. Some people choose to avoid physical contact with the opposite sex, usually for religious reasons. Qataris generally do not shake hands and usually place their right hand on their left chest to express warm greetings. Public displays of affection, including kissing, are generally avoided. However, a handshake is usually acceptable.

Although in a country where 90% of the population are expatriates, English is widely spoken, but knowing basic Arabic for greetings and expressions of thanks is still very popular among Qataris.

Being a Guest

If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Qatari home, remember to take off your shoes before entering the house. When sitting with legs crossed, it is impolite under any circumstances if the soles of your feet are facing the owner