What to wear
Like mentioned in the early sections, both male and female expats are not required to wear the traditional Qatari clothing. If you are going to the office, just take note that you have to wear conservative clothes, and those that expose the skin have to be avoided. For males, wear plain button-up long-sleeves with ties, and corporate slacks along with closed shoes, while a coat is rarely worn but is preferred during important meetings. For females, loose button up shirts or long-sleeves and corporate pants are preferred. Closed shoes are required for both males and females to avoid exposing the sole of the feet to a local counterpart.

What to bring
It is common to exchange business cards in Qatar, so always bring one. To pay respect to your local host, print your business card in Arabic on the other side. Bringing small gifts when you are invited to come over is common, and should you be offered anything during the gathering, you have to accept it as well. You may also bring materials that are necessary for the discussion, but you don’t have to bring it out and distribute upon arrival, because locals do not start meetings discussing the subject matter right away.

What to expect
Expect meetings with local counterparts to be long. Qataris value building relationships most especially during the first meeting, thus, a gathering may be started with small talks that are not relevant to the subject matter. It is important that you build rapport with your counterpart, to them, good relationships yield good business. Expect decisions to be given indirectly, most especially if it is to reject your proposal. Locals in Qatar want to save their counterparts from embarrassment, that’s why it is a custom to reject or accept a proposal indirectly after the meeting. Always follow up on your local client to get their final decision.

What you should know
Corporate structure in Qatar is hierarchical. Senior officers get to have more say over the junior ones. Age is also regarded as an important aspect in seniority. Always be familiar with the titles being used for your seniors in the office. It is important that you pay respect to high-ranking individuals by addressing them with their titles.

The usual work week in Qatar is from Sunday to Thursday and many organizations also prefer to operate on Saturdays. While government offices in the country operate from 6:00am to 2:00pm, this does not apply to private organizations. Always check with your company with regards to office schedules. During Ramadan, office hours are shorter. Always be aware of the office traditions during Ramadan.

A gender gap is visible between males and females in the corporate scene, but females have already earned their place in Qatar’s labor force. More and more female expats are being hired for the past years because they have been observed to be hardworking and efficient employees. Some females also get high positions in other companies, and are respected by their male colleagues. Females in Qatar suffer zero to minimal sexual harassment in the workplace, and this makes the country a safe environment for aspiring expats.