In his latest #Qtip, I Love Qatar co-founder Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon explains a key aspect of Qatari culture – giving off a pleasant scent.
According to Al Haroon, Qataris take their fragrances very seriously, and rely on the following products to smell good:
- Oud
- Dihn Al Oud
- Bukhoor
- Perfume
- Flowers
Though in the video, Al Haroon doesn’t go into the specifics of why a pleasant odor is so important, he explained to Doha News:
“Hygiene is something that is important religiously. Al nathafa min al eeman. Cleanliness is a sign of faith. This can also be seen by the wudu (cleansing before praying).
Also as you can imagine Qatar, being a hot country, didn’t have cooling systems back in the day. We had to rely on wind towers and fans. So smelling good was something that people tried to achieve with the different types of perfumes and flowers.
It was a sign that someone cared about themselves and the image they portrayed to others. We live in a judgmental society and smelling good is important.
Today, this has evolved into our daily lives. Some may say to an extreme, as we’re constantly buying the latest perfumes. It’s a fashion statement as well.”
Al Haroon warned people, however, not to get too carried away – “three puffs (of perfume) are enough.”
Have you ever gotten into an elevator and taken a deep breath of your companions, just because?
“Have you ever gotten into an elevator and taken a deep breath of your companions, just because?”
Actually I take a deep breath before I enter
The statement is very creepy and pervy….Smelling companions just because.
Qatari women smell good as well, I guess lots of disposable income means you can afford some of the world’s best perfumes. (They dress very well as well, probably for the same reason)
However I must say some of the men do over do it. It’s a good smell, but don’t drown the in it!
I wish to “deep breath” and see for myself.
“We live in a judgemental society”…ok well start judging the driving behaviour that kills , perhaps the Govt aided escape of convicted felons to Belgium for a start and stop worrying about such narcissistic non issues….
I love the smell of oud. Some guys do go overboard but I’d rather smell the strong oily perfume than the strong onion rubbed into armpits smell…but then again, that’s just me 🙂
@disqus_QE0ThNlyM5:disqus: you do realize this is a kid trying to be polite and share some facts in a fun way? Perhaps you should knock at the govt. gates and ask them about the drivers and runaway ambassadors. I’m with you on this but let’s not spew this attitude on everything as these guys I’m pretty sure have as much standing in the country’s decision making as you and me.
Happy National Day!
U talking about the Qatari lad or Doha News Author ? The last statement was by the Author of the Article..
I was talking about the kid in the video.
Haha he ain’t no kid..he is the most loved and spoke about Qatari and works for Vodafone. And the last statement was not by him but the author and I guess he cud influence the State’s decision making if he really wants to with his online presence and he being a nice person and a Qatari. Haha he ain’t no kid..he is the most loved and spoke about Qatari and works for Vodafone. And the last statement was not by him but the author and I guess he cud influence the State’s decision making if he really wants to with his online presence and he being a nice person and a Qatari.
By kid i think he means ‘this guy’ not in a disrespectful way :^)
If any of the Qatari guys can give us some info: what is that perfume that you put and that you can small it from 50m away? Do you put perfume at home or when you are about to get out of the car? Because honestly if it smells that much even when you have already sprayed it one hour earlier then I am very keen on buying few bottles and taking them back home. 🙂 TIA
Try behind the gold souq…there’s some perfume shops there that have that heavily concentrated oily perfume. It’s not spray on but it’s brilliant. There are probably other shops that I know of but I’m not very keen on spending 1k for a perfume. I’m actually wearing it now and keep sniffing myself when no one is looking 😉
Coco CHANEL ?
I do agree oily perfumes do last more, but I am pretty sure the Oud most Qataris use is much stronger then that. I have tried many oily perfumes and I am pretty sure people can’t smell them unless they hug me 🙂
How I keep myself smelling so good.. Refillable Perfume Atomiser..fill it up as many times as U want and spray as and when required to leave a lasting impression.
That might be a good idea, but I do not think it is the Qatari way. 🙂
Might not be a Qatari way but it gets the job done. And fragrance longetivity have also got to do with the kinda work U do and how much U sweat. Keeping a bottle of ur fav fragrance in ur car and using before U walk up to ur work is also a good idea..
You can smell as good as you want; if it’s accompanied by an arrogant character, nothing will make you look good.