Advice For The Visitors Traveling To Qatar For The FIFA World Cup 2022

A country so widely renowned for its fine Arabian hospitality, Qatar is one of the finest tourist destinations in the world today and a host nation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022.

For the first time ever, a middle eastern country is set to host football's greatest competition on earth. With over a million fans expected to arrive and 32 teams preparing for an ultimate battle, the FIFA 2022 is showing all signs of another rollercoaster ride.

But here's a thing, if you're a footballing fan planning to make a trip to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, there are certain things you need to know before your flight to Qatar. Being an Islamic nation, Qatar has some restrictions and laws that may be surprising for overseas travelers but are significant in terms of the country's culture and tradition, and every traveler must respect them.

So, if you're making your next trip to Qatar for the World Cup, here are certain pieces of advice that are worth noting for your travels.

Advice For The FIFA 2022 Visitors In Qatar

Have a look at the things you need to avoid while on your FIFA 2022 trip to Qatar.

Dress Code Of Qatar

Although the natives of the country usually wear thobes and abayas, there is no such restriction on clothing for the visitors whenever they arrive here. Visitors are free to wear clothes as per their comfort as long as it is respectful to the country's culture and tradition.

However, women are required to cover their shoulders and knees whenever they move out in public, while for men, they are expected to wear full sleeves with their knees covered too in public places.

If you're headed for Doha sightseeing and moving to places like the iconic Souq Waqif or national museums and government buildings, the expectation from you is to wear conservative attire and no short or beach clothes. In fact, if anyone is seen wearing shorts at any such place, there are chances that they will be asked to cover up.

Whether you're visiting a mall, a park, museum, or any other place, the usual requirements of clothing for men and women apply in Qatar, and visitors are advised to abide by that.

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Public Displays Of Affection

Now here's a thing, Qatar is a country that has some kaws against the public displays of affections. The Qatari culture doesn't allow these actions in public. In fact, any type of affection at public places can lead to arrest in the worst cases.

So, whether you're a native staying in Qatar or a visitor coming to the country for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022, this is something that every person has to respect as it is part of the culture in the country.

Not just this, but even relationships outside the bond of marriage are considered against the culture and laws of Qatar and the hotels may ask visitors to show their marriage certificate while checking in. Hence, visitors coming to the 2022 World Cup are advised to take due consideration of the same.

Taking Photographs In Public

Taking photographs isn't a surprising attribute of travel after all, right? But here's a thing, Qatar does have certain restrictions on taking pictures. Visitors coming on their trip are often excited about the traditional Qatari attire and want to click pictures of the natives.

However, if you're headed for the FIFA World Cup without knowing much about these restrictions, clicking photographs of natives may get you into trouble unless you take the permission to do so.

Likewise, if you're headed for some Qatar tourist attractions and thinking of clicking pictures of the religious sites, construction sites, or even military sites without permission, that might be a bad idea as there are you might end up getting arrested by the local police in the area.

As for the journalist, if it's a part of your job to click photographs and thinking of covering the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022, you need to contact the Qatar News Agency much before you even enter the country on tour, and seek a visiting press permit. Once received, you will be able to bring in your camera and other equipment you need through customs, and click photographs at will.

Import Of Illegal Things

Every country has laws against the import of illegal items. However, there are certain specific things that are prohibited to be brought in Qatar on your travels. Here's a list of some notable things in this case.

• Religious Books
• Pork Products
• Alcohol
• Drugs (Serious Offence)
• Videos with Inappropriate Content, etc.

Passengers on arriving at the Hamad International Airport go through the security check where their items of baggage are scanned for such things. If anyone's caught with such things, the consequences can be severe.

What is notable in this case is that Qatar doesn't allow the import of religious books into the country. Likewise, the import of drugs, pork Products, and inappropriate material is considered a serious offense.

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Behavior As A Factor

Qatar is a country that believes in generosity and humbleness, and if you're traveling for the FIFA World Cup 2022, this is something you've got to keep in mind. The country has some demanding laws as far as the conduct of visitors and natives in public places is concerned.

Neither the natives nor the visitors can pass any vulgar remarks, gestures or use any inappropriate language at public places as that is not the culture of this country and can get you into serious trouble if anyone nearby reports you.

Likewise, sitting in public places with your legs stretching too much and shoe soles showing is also not considered right in the country. Visitors should avoid getting in a conversation with their opposite genders if they are not related to them as it is against the culture of Qatar.

In fact, this is a country that is particular about its religious beliefs, and if anyone staying in the country is caught posting anything against the tradition and religious beliefs of the country, the consequences can be negative. Hence, visitors planning their FIFA 2022 trip to Qatar are advised to take due care of the way they behave in the country.

Flexibility In Routine

One of the most important things that travelers are advised to take due consideration of, time is not an issue in Qatar. For those visitors who like things done early and are particular about time and schedule, well, Qatar isn't the country for you.

Right since its early days, this is a country that has boasted of its flexible life with no time barriers. The natives generally move around flexibility and there are no limitations on time.

Hence, when you make a trip to Qatar, make sure not to react about your taxi driver being late or anyone coming late for the meeting as this is not the Qatari way of life.

Etiquettes Of Eating A Meal

Now when you travel in Qatar, you are bound to visit some fancy or traditional restaurants for a culinary experience in the country, right? Well, Qatar, in fact, has one rule of eating as well, whether you're in a restaurant, any Qatari native's house, or at a food stall anywhere.

Eating with your left hand is considered a bad habit amongst the natives of the country, and there's a very particular reason for that. Traditionally, the left hand has been used in Qatar for the purpose of personal hygiene. So, the natives of Qatar do not use their left hand to eat anything.

In fact, people in Qatar almost frown when they see someone eating with his/her left hand. Hence, If you're sitting in a restaurant on your travels in Qatar and about to have a nice meal or two, make sure you use your right hand to eat instead of left.

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Never Reject An Invitation Of Dinner

We spoke about how generous the natives of Qatar are. Well, here's something to add to it. Being true examples of how generous the natives of the country can be, it is not a surprise to see visitors and strangers being invited by Qatari natives to their houses for dinner.

In fact, this is something that happens quite often in Qatar. But here's a thing, if someone invites you to his house while on your travels, rejecting that invitation might be a bad idea, and the reason behind this is simple. The country's culture doesn't allow you to reject an invitation, and if you do so, it is often considered against the country's culture. Hence, never reject a feast when invited to one in Qatar.

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A country that generously welcomes guests from all around the world, Qatar gears up for another month-long carnival scene as the FIFA World Cup 2022 edges closer. This is a country that is very particular about its culture and expects travelers to follow the rules with humbleness.

Although there are many talks around how the FIFA World Cup might bring a culture shock for the fans, the country would seem heaven once the visitors familiarize themselves with the traditions and culture of the country. So, haven't you planned your trip to Qatar yet? What are you pondering over? Get ready for the 2022 World Cup and come to witness a spectacle like never before.

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