How the Little Differences Make a Big One

Whenever you go on a journey, it's always a healthy exercise to look back and reflect on the memories that you've created and how far you've travelled. Recollection is a trait that we uniquely have as humans, and it is a quality that we need. If it's a positive experience, you'll look back fondly on the exciting times, and if it's negative, you'll be able to focus on how to make things better.

Now that I've been in a Qatar for over a year now, I can safely say that my time here has been exciting, but with many unnecessary detours. When I first got here, I didn't really know what to expect, but for some reason I thought it would be very similar to Oman.

Boy was I wrong.

Qatar, for better or worse, is its own country, with its own set of attributes and nuances. Some things were expected like the scorching heat, and some I could have never imagined, like having to go to such great and costly lengths to go to the beach, considering Qatar is an island.

But what has been consistent throughout my whole excursion are the little differences that make working abroad so interesting. Sure, there is the fact that I get to meet people from different countries, or that my vacation options are much more vast. But what I assume, makes life more interesting for expats is that when you work abroad, things are basically the same, but with little differences.

Cue, John Travolta

So what are those differences in Qatar? I'm glad you asked. I would have never remembered these unless I wrote them down, but I notice at least a handful each day. They include:

• Having the ability to un-press a button on an elevator
• Having to worry about speed cameras on roads and intersections
• In a mall food court, you leave your food tray at the table
• Gas prices (Sorry, Canada)
• In the Middle East, it's, "Welcome", not "You're welcome"
• Answering machines don't exist
• There is no such thing as a street address. You should just know where to go
• Calls to prayer happen everywhere, including in IKEA or on 80% of radio stations
• For many, working in Qatar is like being a kid again - everybody is away in August
• Blogs are the most popular and dependable source of information
• You can never find motor oil in a store, only at gas stations
• Recycling is non-existent
• Sometimes, I'm not only a minority, I can walk into a mall and be the only Caucasian expat
• Getting different tiered notes from the ATM rather than just $20 bills
• When you get into an accident, they don't tow cars, they leave them on the side of the road
• Everything is closed on Friday's from 11:30am to 12:30pm
• Airport food prices are actually fair
• There's no crime. You can leave your valuables in your car without worry
• People happily reveal their credit card pins if it's more convenient for the servant to process
• The forecast is about how hot it is rather than the type of weather
• You can only left turn at intersections, otherwise you have to U-turn

Everyday, people wake up in the morning. Some take their kids to school. Some don't. People work hard. They have their lunches. They come home, turn on the television, or spend time with their kids. No matter where you, this equation is the same, no matter if you are in Toronto, Budapest, or Doha. But it's those tidbits along with the surrounding scenery and people that make life just a little different each and every day.