Your first few months in Doha can be utterly strange and somewhat inexplicable. You will refuse to walk into certain malls or go to the generic hotel rooftop bars. You probably feel like overall, everything is a massive downgrade from what you've been used to. The annoyingly happy-go-lucky sunny weather combined with dust, lack of proper transportation and a lack of pedestrian friendly streets can definitely wreck havoc on you as you struggle to settle down in the sandpit.
But what you actually come to realize is that this place really does get under your skin, whether you like it or not.
You know you've been in Qatar too long when:
1. You see nothing wrong with planning each and every outing around food.
Saturday night is “extra side order” night. YAY!
2. You realize you’re gradually losing your precious hair strands.
Special shower handles with chlorine filters, 5 types of leave-in conditioner for every section of your scalp, and hair supplements just don’t cut it. It is what it is.
3. The smell of incense at the mall doesn’t annoy you anymore.
Is that the smell of your hand lotion? I like it.
4. Most of your life-changing events have taken place at fancy hotel bars.
Because, nothing else. Really.
5. When working six hours overtime no longer frustrates you.
Potato potato. Guess a few extra hours at the office is bound to be for my own sake and sanity.
6. You develop an unhealthy love affair with online shopping.
"Not available in Qatar" becomes the norm. And no, this does not only apply to the latest pair of Nike Air Max, but probably to a baby onion and black-trumpet mushrooms, too. And some other generic supply for your soup.