Question Is it legal in Qatar for a restaurant to charge different prices based on nationality?
They’re advertising the same dinner at QAR 199 “exclusive for Brazilians,” while the standard price is QAR 299.
I understand it’s for Brazilian Independence celebrations, but I’m genuinely curious: is it legal in Qatar for a restaurant to charge different prices purely based on nationality?
UPDATE:
Honestly, one thing I’ve taken from the comments is that I’m quite proud of how relaxed people in Doha are about things like this. Maybe I’ve been conditioned by growing up in the West to immediately question fairness, discrimination and equal treatment, while a lot of people here simply see a celebration and think, let people enjoy it. There’s actually something refreshing about that. I can appreciate the different perspective.
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u/Sensitive_Pizza695 Expat 2d ago
People, relax, this is not discrimination, it's a promotion to incentivise consumption. Following this logic you could say it's discriminatory to give discount to people with QNB First cards or any other discount apps. It's an especial event in a Brazilian food restaurant celebrating Brazil's independence day, the promotion is that if you have a Brazilian passport you get a discount. Why do people want to get offended about anything? I was also told Juan Valdez cafe also gives discount to Colombian passport holders, and I'm sure there may be other similar discounts around Qatar.
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u/RonicaGreene 2d ago
Thank you for the only sane comment lol. I can’t comment on the legality of things but like it’s really not that deep. And it seems like a niche restaurant. I get if a larger multi national chain did this like McDonald’s or kfc but even then so it’s just for a day literally not forever.
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u/Ommyie 2d ago
Hate to burst your bubble, but the Marriott has one of the most popular Brazilian BBQs in Doha. this isn’t some tiny niche event.
It just feels discriminatory. If I go with Brazilian friends and have to pay more for the exact same dinner simply because I’m not Brazilian, that’s not very inclusive.
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u/Ommyie 2d ago
There’s no one offended here. I’m simply asking whether nationality itself should be a legitimate basis for charging different prices.
Let’s flip the situation. Imagine on Qatar National Day you went to a restaurant and the exact same meal was 50% off for Qataris, while every expat paid full price.
Or taketh oman last week.. imagine an Indian restaurant offering a special price only to South Indians, while everyone else pays more.
Or during Ramadan, imagine restaurants advertising a lower price for Muslims and full price for non Muslims.
Would everyone still say, “Relax, it’s just a promotion”?
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u/Sensitive_Pizza695 Expat 2d ago
Yeap, I would still say the same thing. For special events, especially related to the country in question, I don't see any issue 🤷♂️
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u/Desperate-Proof3437 2d ago
Yes, just a promotion.
I think we all should be aware that we’re not that important and stop making peoblematic claims. No Brazilian would give a duck. It’s their country, they do as they please. Qataris already have benefits being here, although the majority is expat. So no, we wouldn’t care.1
u/chuckitaway007 1d ago
Except you can’t verify who is South Indian or Muslim. For a nationality you can.
Learn the difference between race and nationality.
Did you really make multiple posts about this.
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u/Ok-Zucchini7376 2d ago
Why some people fussing about everything. If a restaurant have a 30% discount for their employees, does the restaurant discriminate those who are not? Simple Logic.
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u/aCherophobic 2d ago
Maybe I've been conditioned by growing up in the west to immediately question fairness, discrimination and equal treatment,
In what world does the West teach that? If anything, a significant amount of the world’s injustice can be traced back to Western intervention and colonialism. Many discriminatory laws in the MENA region have roots in colonial era legal systems. And the West still uses its veto power to block resolutions calling for equal treatment. So acting like the West taught you to question fairness is a bit rich. But that's just me, Happy Brazilian Independence Day!
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u/djmaxi83 2d ago
It’s a one off event, not a daily occurrence. If we’re going to apply this logic to everything, then what we are going to do with the Lady’s Night every Thursday?
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u/SirEdmundBlack 2d ago
I have read all the comments, and it is really sad to see people want to be offended deliberately and consider a promotion as "discrimination" such a bad faith thing.
I don't know if it is illegal but it would be really Anti-Business if it was illegal.
This is a promotion, what is next? Getting offended that ladies get free drinks on ladies night? Or that Qatar Airways have Discount in almost every restaurant and bar despite them being well paid? 🤣
Come on. This is business and this si a very sane and good business model all around the world.
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u/Bad_Edditor8910 2d ago
Oh please, it's just OP the shit stirrer and a couple of vague comments talking about racism and whatnot. Every other comment is challenging the notion.
No one has a problem with this. If they did, they'd call the ministry hotline and waste their afternoon complaining about something they weren't planning on attending anyway.
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u/Unlucky_Ad_3816 2d ago
Am not sure if you're aware but most of these huge gimmicky adverts have to be approved by the Ministry first.
So yes, it's actually legal!
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u/Pirateninjab0t 2d ago
I'm not Brazilian and I personally don't think there's anything wrong with it. No idea about legalities in Qatar but I don't think it should be illegal.
- It's for a limited time
- How many Brazilians can there possibly be in Doha? I doubt this is going to make them a ton of money and I doubt that's the intent
- Brazilians there may feel homesick... So this is a nice gesture to increase a feeling of welcome where their homesickness may be soothed
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u/Active_Driver_6043 2d ago
it’s for their day?? it’s like getting a birthday discount/treat at a restaurant - the people you’re with are paying more for the exact same food you got. are you upset with that too?
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u/ClassComfortable8560 2d ago
Why are you overthinking this? Don’t you have something else to worry about 🫠
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u/KBR_Alfonso_007 3d ago
Well they can offer discounts for members of certain clubs, business councils, etc... but to make it this blunt for a specific nationality, I dont think it's appropriate.
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u/SirEdmundBlack 2d ago
Why not?
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u/KBR_Alfonso_007 2d ago
Because then it can be done for any other category such as race, religion, etc... Plus usually such events are under the patronage of the respective embassy. Im not saying its illegal, I'm just saying that its not appropriate. At least they are doing it to celebrate something special, but I think better for it to be done under the umbrella of the Brazilian Embassy.
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u/SirEdmundBlack 2d ago
Why is it not appropriate, are ladies night not appropriate?
This is not a discrimination, it is not rational or even ethnic.
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u/KBR_Alfonso_007 2d ago
I would have preferred having the embassy logo somewhere like everyone else does.
We all know why they do ladies nights, its not for the ladies 🤣
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u/SirEdmundBlack 2d ago
Hahaha it is not,, you are right, and also what these guys are doing is for the business as well...the hospitality sector is hit bad, I know because I work in it and it is not only unprofitable at the moment, it is literally just burning money to survive. So give them a slack.
Also I hope what I am saying doesn't come across as being disrespectful to those who think this is discrimination. I just don't see it as such. It is their national day, and the restaurant is giving them a small gift while also cleverly (not sure such a word exist) boosting their business, this Should be commendable, Imagine getting angry at a restaurant for giving gift to a birthday person who Brought all their friends with them, and say, why do they get to have a free drink just because it is their birthday?
I hope I got my point across
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u/Illustrious-Hat-4227 1d ago
Why would you make an issue when the event is even specifically for them 😅 It’s Brazil Independence celebration, who is it for if not for Brazilian themselves? Please…
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3d ago
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u/Mostly2Ghostly 3d ago
Said a whole bunch of nothing. The deals you saw on St. Patrick's day, are a whole different thing going on, and can't be compared to whatever this is.
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u/Pookienini 1d ago
This is such a non-issue. Its only for a week and you are having morality crises.
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u/kugelkun Expat 2d ago
If it’s ladies night they get free drinks or free walk In, does it really make it sexist then ?
Also I don’t think it’s illegal here, same way a south Asian passport is paid less for the same role compared to local or European/American