New York Times ridicules Qataris

[qatar]

Today's New York Times published a rather biting article about the conflict between Qataris and non-Qataris in Qatar: Affluent Qataris Seek What Money Cannot Buy.

Qataris' and non-Qataris' stereotypes of each other is something I've been thinking about a lot this summer, between the Lisa Clayton kerfuffle and the recent arguments over on Mimiz

Comments

Infantile NY Times

[anonymous]

Hi Marjorie

Re: Infantile NY Times

[qatar]

"I doubt that any of the quotes they are getting are in fact what the interviewees said at all."

I agree with you that the article has a hostile slant, but I don't see any reason to think they made up the quotes.

"It is Qatar's money that they are banking and sending home to loved ones, so i think gratitude and a sense of perspective should be the order of the day, don't you?"

Frankly, no. I have enjoyed my years in Qatar and feel generally positive about what this country is doing, but I don't think I ought to feel "gratitude" that I get paid. I earn my pay; it's not charity. I think immigrants ought to be free to be frank about the things they love and the things they dislike about their adopted country; that should be true for Moroccans who are upset about the burqa ban in France, and it should be true for Americans who are upset about the family day policies in Qatar.

"I challenge anyone to refute that Qataris are, on balance, welcoming and respectful to their guests.If by "guests" you mean skilled Western expats, I agree

Re: Infantile NY Times

[anonymous]

"I agree with you that the article has a hostile slant, but I don't see any reason to think they made up the quotes

Re: Infantile NY Times

[qatar]

"No doubt you do earn your pay Marjorie but I bet Qatar pays you an awful lot more than your home country would."

I took a pay cut to move to Qatar, thank you very much.

"Remember that while you contend with a lot of frustrations living here, Qataris are also contending with their own frustrations with respect to its expatriate population."

Oh, I very much agree. Just a couple hours ago I was chatting with someone about what Maryam said over at Mimiz Blog about feeling powerless over the way her government chooses to spend her money... that must be intensely frustrating. When have I said Qataris don't have frustrations?

"Don't be too keen to judge Marjorie. Let Qataris be the ones to have that conversation. Taking the moral high-ground is so typically expat."You seem to be arguing that nobody should be able to comment on a culture in any meaningful way unless they're an insider. I think that doesn't work. Or do you think only Americans should be able to have an opinion on whether Bush was a good president or not

Wow

[anonymous]

Don't be too keen to judge Marjorie. Let Qataris be the ones to have that conversation. Taking the moral high-ground is so typically expat.

Thanks for giving a perfect demonstration of what the article is about.

Let Qataris be the ones to have that conversation.

You earlier challenged (your word) anyone to make the case. Then you get upset when someone (Marjorie) takes up the challenge?

well there you have it marjorie

[anonymous]

Qataris don't want any expats to express anything but fawning adoration of the amazing progress (and I am sincere about the progress) that has been made in the past decade. The minute someone does, they are just a few steps from the "if you don't like it, leave" line that gets floated around everywhere you see Qataris and expats mixing online.

well there you have it marjorie

[anonymous]

Expats don't want any Qatari's to express anything but fawning adoration of the amazing progress (and I am sincere about the progress) that expats have achieved in the past decade. The minute someone does, they are just a few steps from the "Qatari's this, Qatari's that" line that gets floated around everywhere you see Qataris and expats mixing online ;)

Another anonymous poster

[anonymous]

The fact that such a short, poorly written and obviously biased article can ruffle feathers to the extent that it has rather proves the point that this culture isn't ready to integrate into the modern world just yet

Re: Another anonymous poster

[anonymous]

I suppose the author felt it was a good stage setting article. After all, the country has a lot of money (whether or not specific citizens do), and it imports a lot of labor, and many citizens don't like the result. Such a situation is surprising at face value!

One hopes for a followup dealing with what's behind face value.

Re: Another anonymous poster

[anonymous]

lelandt: Why don't you join the discussion instead of talking shit about those anonymous people who have?

[ext_232041]

Tried sending a private email, but seems to be difficult.

Let me just say I enjoy your posts. You always seem to comment on just the things I would like to, but don't have the courage to write about. Maybe I will when I know I'm on the way out and it's not so risky.

Always appreciate your insights and mostly just bringing topics to the forefront that need to be discussed.

I was surprised people living here would actually be quoted with any negatives perspective in the NYT article. It wasn't the best article, but it's always interesting to read something about what's happening here, even though you can't ever find it in the local news. It's unfortunate the only time a real debate can take place here is when it's televised on Doha Debates...and who knows how one ever get to actually be part of the discussion there!

Thanks Marjorie!

[qatar]

Glad you enjoyed it! Wow, 11 years in Doha... you must have seen a lot of changes. :-)

BTW, one of the people quoted in the NYT article -- the "Qataris are spoiled" dude -- says he was badly misquoted.

Have you not attended a Doha Debate in real life? I recommend it!