So, having lived here for almost a full week now, I have two updates to the above post.
First, I don't think that the couple in the top picture are even Qatari, because while the man is wearing a thobe his head covering is wrong.
Second, I do see lots of male-female couples around, especially in the grocery store. The other day I even saw two of them hold hands, which was something I haven't seen at all in the last week.
Also, distant photos don't do justice to the abayas women wear here. Most of them are very finely embroidered, appliqued or sequined and are very beautiful pieces of clothing. (The thobes really are just like button-down shirts that keep on going, though.)
Update
Date: 2004-08-10 06:19 am (UTC)First, I don't think that the couple in the top picture are even Qatari, because while the man is wearing a thobe his head covering is wrong.
Second, I do see lots of male-female couples around, especially in the grocery store. The other day I even saw two of them hold hands, which was something I haven't seen at all in the last week.
Also, distant photos don't do justice to the abayas women wear here. Most of them are very finely embroidered, appliqued or sequined and are very beautiful pieces of clothing. (The thobes really are just like button-down shirts that keep on going, though.)