I have previously written about the staring by the Muslim men in Qatar. It is something that I hardly notice anymore because you realize that it is a cultural habit and not in any way done to offend.
But that does not mean I cannot have a little fun with it.
Last week, I was walking in the mall when I decided to sit and have some lemonade. Just about the same time as I sat down, a gentleman in traditional dress sat down at the table across from me. I am assuming he was Qatari but there are so many people here in traditional dress that are from other Muslim countries, it is hard to tell.
As I starting drinking, I felt him start to stare. I made the sudden decision to just stare back. I needed to see what would happen.
He stared. I stared. He stared. I stared. All the training at the lunch table in Elementary School was coming in handy. We were allowing blinking but no glancing away.
It seemed like this was going on for a long time. We even drank while staring - he was having tea and I was enjoying my lemonade. I literally had nothing to do for hours and although I have never been a terribly competitive person, I was willing to put a lot of time and effort into this childish staring contest.
Luckily, he was a decently attractive older gentleman so this was not painful.
Suddenly the gentleman smiled, laughed and nodded his head as he looked away.
Humor works in any language.
The blond American won!
As I got up and walked away, I am pretty sure I heard "We Are the Champions" by Queen playing in my head.
I really need to get a hobby!
lol
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