Hi Jesse
I was in Qatar in 2003. Worked a short stint with Al-Dana Medical (J&J sterilizers). During that time, i remember a Yayah Taher (i think) in Hamad biomedical. There was this kabayan in biomedical who is always smiling and does lab work. Danny (names are a bit fuzzy) of the Engineering (A/C) helped me a lot with the install and delivery.
Yes the locals in Qatar are friendly, the immigration officer even greeted me in tagalog.