An Expat Country

Qtar has 885,359 (July 2006 est.) people, the majority of whom live in D0ha, the capital. Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%. Foreigners with temporary residence status make up about four-fifths of the population. Foreign workers makes up 88% of the total labor force. Most of them are South Asians, Egyptians, Palestinians, Jordanians, and Iranians. Ref: CIA world factbook and US Department of State Fact Sheet

The local women do not work in the service sector. They don't do hotels, sales girl, cashier, waitress or any of that sort. These jobs are usually taken by the Filipino ladies. But some local women have own businesses or work in the office or spend their day at the beauty centre. The men, either have their own business or work as proffessionals. They don't do blue collar job either. Ref : Myself.

As you know I am Malay Malaysian. A typical Malay, like me, can look like many other ethnic all across Asia. Especially to an untrained eye. The only look that I don't don is probably chinese. Still amazingly in The UK, some think I am chinese because I am Asian.

Anyway, when I got here and stayed in The M@rriot, the Filipino ladies were always greeting me in Tagalog. When I take the cab, and the driver is Philippines they would also speak to me in Tagalog but would immediately speak to me in English and call me ma'am as soon as I said sorry, I can't speak Tagalog. There are definitely lots of Filipinos around here in this country who would usually look at me when we bump in the mall, in case I am a fellow countryman.

So I guess it is not surprising when I am in carefour one night, and three and I mean THREE local ladies come up to me and asked how much does the extra virgin olive oil cost or where can they get the diapers for 1 and half year old boy who is oversized. Hello do I look like I am wearing a uniform here? Hmmffttt.

I also look like an Indonesian. Many helpers here are also from Indonesia. Again, it is not surprising sometimes that when I take my kids out or the first time I go to the kids school, the other parents think I am the kids' maid and would usually ignore me, until of course I told them who I am with an accent to boot. Ala2 Emma Thompson gitu

Ohh there are just many stories about us being thought as a maid here. My friend was asked by a local to tell her master to move the car. Or being treated second class when we are in the shops.

They say the trick is to not underdress. I think good shades would help. Especially the one with those big emblems VERSACE at the sides of the rim.

Tips eh : When you go to government sector especially doing the medical checkups make sure you do not underdress. Wear smartly and look confident. Otherwise the ladies there will bark and shout at you. Of course if you are caucasian or look like one, you would be treated with respect. Better still if you are American.

I went to buy some fabric at the souq the other day. The guy spoke to me in Hindi. I said I don't speak Hindi. Oh you look like one of us. I said you speak exactly like a Hindustan movie. He also said he thought Haziq is my little brother and winked. Podacitlah!

Lucky for us though, when you tell them you are Malaysian they would immediately treat you with the highest respect. Masya Allah! Masya Allah! They would say. Beautiful country. I really like it there. And I would obligingly ask, you've been there. Oh we go there every year. In fact we are going again. Or, no we are not lucky yet but we will go one day. We heard it is a nice place.

So that makes me feel good.

Sometimes they also ask about Anwar Ibrahim.

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I hope this doesn't give any impression of racism in any way. Seriously I love all Asians. Both Indonesians and Filipinos are gorgeous ladies. This post is about being mistreated partly for your skin colour and also about your ethnicity and what work you do. And also the superiority complex of the locals.

I also hope you read between the lines. THE MESSAGE IS I HAVE NEW SHADES.