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Original poster

To go to Qatar alone as a single woman?

80 replies

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 11:56

I am desperate to go to the formula one in Qatar. I've had a look and flights and hotels are nowhere near as expensive as I expected them to be.

The actual country looks beautiful and the excursions look cheaper than I expected. I'm very close to just taking the plunge and booking, but am I being unreasonable to go? My family are torn, I've discussed my plans with them and my mum in particular has some pretty strong opinions on the country and me going - she thinks I'd be treated like a second class citizen

OP posts:
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suburberphobe · 12/02/2025 23:32

the only place I've experienced severe harassment was Marrakesh.

I had a wonderful time in Marrakesh, travelling alone there. No hassle at all. Never go out at night though.

Met some locals and tourists who we smoked some hash with

Was in The Gulf in the 1970's and met some locals who I smoked hash with too. LOL

Those were different days then. The world's on fire now. Happy to just stay at home now.

Soppypanda · 12/02/2025 23:31

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 13:31

@Rugbyrover because I should have expected ted the usual moral high horse stuff. But I don't understand the snippy comments about women's rights when the UK is hardly an amazing place to be a woman.

As bad as not allowed to travel without a male permission? UK is one of the best countries in the world for women's rights.

Starting to think you are either high or do like a drink because nobody is that naive so definitely do not go.

XWKD · 12/02/2025 23:31

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 13:40

Rape convictions in the UK are disgustingly low. There's a domestic abuser sitting as an MP in parliament. Sexual assaults are common in schools. It's not all it's cracked up to be.

Compared to Qatar it's a woman's Paradise.

suburberphobe · 12/02/2025 23:23

But I don't understand the snippy comments about women's rights when the UK is hardly an amazing place to be a woman.

Two utterly different cultures.

Zanina · 12/02/2025 23:01

My sister just went and she said the way she was treated was amazing. The men were real gents, the women were so friendly and the country was just stunning. My husband has worked in Qatar as well and felt it was a great place to be.

HiptotheHopp · 12/02/2025 22:54

mybelovedghostandme · 12/02/2025 22:09

My parents lived and worked there for 12 years , came home end of last year and said you will be safe and have a lovely time

That's nothing but survivor bias

mybelovedghostandme · 12/02/2025 22:09

My parents lived and worked there for 12 years , came home end of last year and said you will be safe and have a lovely time

katscamel · 12/02/2025 22:07

Buy the ticket, pack fairly sensible clothes (Tshirts, jeans, trousers...as long as not too tight, all ok).
I've worked over there and visited a number of times and always felt safer there than the UK as have the friends I have that are still there.
I'd advise doing your research on the hotels as some aren't as great... (like anywhere).

PrimalLass · 12/02/2025 21:57

The country is flat and boring but you will be safe.

HundredMilesAnHour · 12/02/2025 21:46

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 17:32

I'm off to others this year, it's the winter sun plus the race that appeals

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In that case check the weather before you book. Last year it was an average of 20 degrees each day over race weekend (the race is now held later in the year starting last year as previous years conditions were too hot and many of the drivers were ill).

Original poster
cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 17:34

Iknjtjumpers · 12/02/2025 17:13

Well you really want to go but have heard reasons otherwise. The thing is, will you regret not going? That’s what you should ask yourself.

I think I would

OP posts:
Original poster
cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 17:32

ahdlfj · 12/02/2025 16:59

GA is apparently $150, flights from Manchester are £350 and hotels are £50 a night!

Because the Qatar race is a total borefest, it's only on the calendar because they paid their way there and it becomes a cringe celeb hot spot. Surely as an F1 fan there are much more exciting races you'd rather go to, even if that means waiting longer to save up? Or is this thread just to goad?

I'm off to others this year, it's the winter sun plus the race that appeals

OP posts:
Iknjtjumpers · 12/02/2025 17:13

Well you really want to go but have heard reasons otherwise. The thing is, will you regret not going? That’s what you should ask yourself.

Ponderingwindow · 12/02/2025 17:10

There was also the World Cup employee who reported her rape and was forced to flee the country to avoid corporal punishment. FIFA and the rest of the world basically did nothing and just kept cheering.

www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna17217

ahdlfj · 12/02/2025 16:59

GA is apparently $150, flights from Manchester are £350 and hotels are £50 a night!

Because the Qatar race is a total borefest, it's only on the calendar because they paid their way there and it becomes a cringe celeb hot spot. Surely as an F1 fan there are much more exciting races you'd rather go to, even if that means waiting longer to save up? Or is this thread just to goad?

chipsandpeas · 12/02/2025 16:57

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 14:40

GA is apparently $150, flights from Manchester are £350 and hotels are £50 a night!

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Look into package deals thru Qatar airways as that’s where I got mine and it was cheap and I had grandstand seats for the weekend

HiptotheHopp · 12/02/2025 15:30

Starlight1984 · 12/02/2025 13:59

OP you will be absolutely fine.

I have a friend who has worked in Qatar as a nanny for years and she loves it. I doubt she will ever come back to the UK. She does pretty much everything on her own outside of work (running, cycling, going for coffee / lunch) and has never had a problem.

Like you say, as long as you're happy to follow their rules (same with every country!) then there will be no issue.

Yes, just follow their rules and everything is fine! Refrain from being gay and absolutely don't get raped or piss any men off, and you'll be all good. But what if you're not?

Women like some on this thread disgust me.

Globusmedia · 12/02/2025 15:04

Hyperquiet · 12/02/2025 14:13

Exactly lol. The holier than thou attitude is expected but stupid too.

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I don't actually have a choice in living and paying taxes somewhere. I do have a choice in what countries I travel to. Hope that helps.

TwigletsAndRadishes · 12/02/2025 15:01

Thelnebriati · 12/02/2025 12:13

Anti slavery charities will tell you that 20,000 people experienced forced labour or forced marriage in Qatar in 2020, and that migrant workers experience significant rights violations.

But the question was will the OP, as an unaccompanied western woman, be safe going on holiday there.

Do you always answer threads with completely irrelevant responses?

Original poster
cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 14:40

buzzing · 12/02/2025 14:35

What are the prices looking like @cerisierblossom? I do love an overseas GP

GA is apparently $150, flights from Manchester are £350 and hotels are £50 a night!

OP posts:
buzzing · 12/02/2025 14:35

What are the prices looking like @cerisierblossom? I do love an overseas GP

Original poster
cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 14:29

@Globusmedia you paid taxes to a government that was going to send millions to Rwanda, sends millions in aid to Israel, allows these governments to participate in sport in this country

But I'm wrong to want to go?

OP posts:
Hyperquiet · 12/02/2025 14:13

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 13:56

I assume you refuse to pay your taxes then?

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Exactly lol. The holier than thou attitude is expected but stupid too.

Globusmedia · 12/02/2025 14:02

cerisierblossom · 12/02/2025 13:56

I assume you refuse to pay your taxes then?

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Oh be quiet.

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