The 'warm welcome' that was promised was never going to happen, anyone living in the real world knows that. The Qataris despise any culture that's not their own and are used to enforcing their laws without interference from people they see as beneath them. They won't he able to stop themselves stamping down on anything that's different ... ... what a shame that this shambles comes in the middle of eight wasted years.
We should have a sweepstake on the first 'I can't believe I went to a country where I was repeatedly told to respect their culture beforehand, didn't respect their culture and ended up in prison' story. Sunday afternoon I reckon.
Neither you, or any of us, can explain their culture. I asked you to explain and you couldn't. Neither could our Foreign Minister to be fair to you. The 'rules' are so vague it's impossible to know. It's against their law, never mind their culture, to drink alcohol in public but they're allowing it, or are they, in certain places but are currently trying to change the rules. You seem intent on blaming, in advance, visitors for any problems. Was the Danish TV reporter to blame when he was threatened by security agents for reporting? It's against their culture, and laws, for two men to embrace in public ... ... can you tell me if that applies to two England supporters, in the fanzone, hugging each other after a goal? Yes or no, as you're putting yourself up as an expert.
If you go over looking for trouble, don't whinge when you find it. If you're not, you might get unlucky anyway. As the Danish incident proves. Best not to risk it would be my advice. Don't like it, don't go to a backwards country. I've had one or two cultural briefings. All for sandy countries with no beaches.
Aye, basically don't go and think ya can still be a football fan on a typical football holiday. I think the point you are making is people will go and think they can carry on like they normally would at a world cup! You couldn't get me to that tournament if I was an all expenses paid guest! Not worth the hassle! Shouldn't be like that but due to Fifa it is! Personally I hope the tournament ends with a lot of headaches for Fifa. Its all been brushed under the carpet. As for the likes of Beckham and Neville, ffs do they need the cash enough to tarnish themselves? I guess they know in reality it will be forgotten pretty quick!
So your advice, to people going, is not to go because it's a backward country and pot luck whether you end up in trouble ... ... so much for 'everyone is welcome'. As the Danish lad said, 'You invited the world.' The want the world to see only what they want us to see but from a distance. There's no warm welcome from these people, they don't like us.
Do you really believe people will do that? It's clear that only people with plenty of money, who know they won't be able to drink, take their short off in the sunshine or gather in groups will be going. In other words, going to a World Cup, having a great time and harming no one.
I would hate to go to these types of countries, in case somebody slips drugs in my luggage at the airport. Thousands of fans in such a confined space would be a picnic for smugglers. Im expecting stories of supporters being held there for very trivial reasons.
Have more than 4 drinks and get a bit pissed, aye I do! Do you think they won't? They have sober up zones, what exactly is this zone? A ****ing cell I bet! No one is saying people are going to go there and intentionally be doing anything wrong and it 100% would be something that would be classed as perfectly fine behaviour in most of the world! The point is this is a country where they can look you up for not being what they see as the norm! Some fans will end up the wrong side of this, even if it's only a few hours in a sober up zone! You seem to think people are saying fans are going there and being arseholes and deserve everything they get! I thunk some fans will go cause they love following England and will go anywhere they go and they will act as they normally do as they never cause any trouble. But in this place having 10 pints and staggering back to your hotel after the match could get you in to trouble!
I only think that because someone, on here, actually said it. As I said, I don't believe people going to Qatar will be drunken louts. The problems will come more from the Qatar side in my opinion .... ... it's like inviting loads of people you don't know, or understand, to your house party. They might be basically decent but it's a dodgy situation.
Doubt I'm going to watch any of it, mainly out of principle but also because I don't really give a ****. Hope youse enjoy it.
Yes. Don't go. Go and behave yourself and the chances are you'll be fine. Go looking for bother, one way or another, and don't whinge it you get more than you can handle. As you say, these people don't like us.
That's my problem, behaving should mean you'll definitely fine. And, as I've said, no one can give clear answers on what these people will tolerate or what will land you in what could be real trouble. The Foreign Office guidelines are so vague as to be useless. Going to watch football shouldn't be like this.
Alcohol banned at stadiums. FIFA in breach of contract with Budweiser. Just knock it on the head. Any civilized country could be ready to host it by Sunday.
My God the days are dragging. I won’t be watching the footy. Luckily I have plenty of dvds and there’s always some good old series popping up on tv. House just popped up on sone channel or other. Worth a second look.
I’m going to watch it because it’s football but I’ve never been less excited for a international tournament. I was even looking forward more to Euro 2008 which we didn’t even qualify for
I have to admit I'll be watching but hoping it's a flop. If the Qatari state shows itself up that would be a good result ... ... they're off to a good start
