Please Don't

Don't

Look or stare at people closely no matter how fascinating their dress. This general courtesy is particularly important in a society where modesty of dress and behavior is mandatory.

Ask an Arabic lady for information or direction in a public place if you are a man. Arabic ladies will be more willing to help other females and if you are a family let your wife do the talking.

Be offended if your hand shake is refused by a Muslim. Hand shake are most often refused to member of the opposite sex. It is not meant personally, but simply a religious prohibition applicable to other Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Take a photograph without permission of either people (including the police or armed forces) or sensitive sites. Arabic women and many older people strongly object to being photographed.

Be annoyed if your guest /contact is late. Just remember, time is more elastic in Qatar.

Use your left hand for contact with other people or eating. Following Muslim conventions the right hand is considered more propitious and the left hand reserved for bodily functions.

Sit with the soles of your shoes or feet pointing to your Qatari hosts; it is considered insulting. Equally, don't sit with your back to the other guest.

Drink to much that your behavior is affected in public. Alcohol in Qatar is strictly regulated concession and there is zero tolerance for drink-driving and rowdy behavior.

Go barefoot in the sea, where stone fish (who look alike stone) lie along the shoreline. Although rare, their poisonous defense mechanism causes excruciating pain and needs a hospital visit.