Handshakes, shoes, coffee cups: Qatar etiquette basics to know ahead of Fifa World Cup

Agencies | Doha                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com  

Home to gleaming skyscrapers and upmarket shopping malls, World Cup host Qatar is also a Muslim country deeply attached to its customs and traditions.

Here are some of the cultural conventions football fans should know when visiting the Gulf country, which — like other Arab nations — prides itself on its hospitality.

In public places, it is customary to stand up when greeting others (particularly the elderly) as a sign of respect.

When men greet Qatari women, it is best to wait for the latter to take the lead before reaching for a handshake. Some prefer to avoid physical contact with members of the opposite sex, often for religious reasons. Thus, Qatari men might not always offer a handshake when meeting women.

Instead of a handshake, Qataris often place their right hand over their heart as a warm gesture of greeting.

Public displays of affection should largely be avoided. Holding hands, however, is generally accepted.

While use of English is ubiquitous in a country that is 90 per cent expatriate, a knowledge of basic Arabic greetings and expressions of gratitude is greatly appreciated by Qataris.

If you are lucky enough to be invited into a Qatari home, remember to take off your shoes before entering the house.

When sitting with your legs crossed — in any setting — it is considered rude if the soles of the feet face the host.

It is common for Qataris to eat by hand from large communal plates placed on the floor — a dining etiquette that dates back to Bedouin desert culture.

It is important to accept offerings by Qatari hosts, as turning them down could be taken as an offence.

Qatar shares the Gulf passion for Arabic coffee, which is prepared by roasting coffee beans, and then boiling them with cardamom and saffron.

The yellowish, tea-like brew is poured out of traditional, long-spouted "dallah" pots into miniature cups and often served with dates.

The dallah, a cultural symbol across much of the Gulf region, is even erected as a monument in public spaces.

When served to guests, it is customary for hosts to try the coffee first, to test for taste.

Guests must always drink with their right hand. The coffee keeps coming until you wave your cup to signal you have had your fill.