To go to Qatar alone as a single woman?

[cerisierblossom]

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

I assume you refuse to pay your taxes then?

Yep, men are men all over the world. Like I said, I felt safe in Qatar (very safe, safer than here). I fully acknowledge the human rights abuses and treatment of gay people, women etc. I'm firmly opposed to this. However, much of the world is dangerous and unethical, to be honest. I never see people getting a hard time when they choose to go travelling in places like south america. Yet Christian countries in south America have the highest rates of femicide in the world.
I met some Qatari women when we were they and they took time to explain their culture and religion. They're well aware of how the west views them and they wanted to present their own reality to us. They fully support the country's laws. Yes, of course you can say they're frightened or brainwashed by the patriarchy but I didn't get that impression. They were vibrant, confident women who were extremely devout. It's easy to say they're repressed but not all people who are following a religion believe they are repressed. The men also have to follow very strict rules and are restricted in a way western men are not. We can look at their culture through western eyes and say it's wrong, but people have a completely different world view to us. I like to visit places that are different culturally, even when I don't agree with a lot of their laws. Often you end up being surprised and seeing things with a different perspective.
I found it an interesting place to visit. 85% of people living there are immigrants, and I believe there are only about 300,000 native Qataris.

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.

I am going next week . Really looking forward to it ! My adult child lives there but will be working during the day so I’ll be out and about by myself .
Have never been before but have no concerns either .

Well to be honest, the Italian GP will be a much better race so personally I’d rather spend my money on that but if you want to go to Qatar, go for it. Although Abu Dhabi would be more interesting. I think Qatar is pretty low on the list for F1 races people want to go to (hence the lower prices). It only happens because the Qataris pay a lot of money to host it rather than because it’s outstanding racing. But if you want to go, there’s no need to be put off going because you’re a lone woman travelling.

Oh be quiet.

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

@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?

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!

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?

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.

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.

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

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 wouldn’t go even with a husband. It might be safe day to day, but you never know when you will end up running afoul of the anti-woman system. The women being forced to go through gynecological exams at the airport in 2020 is enough for me to say no.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/27/women-reportedly-subjected-forced-gynecological-exams-qatar

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

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

I think I would

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).

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

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).

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