Buying used items made easy

Well, if you are on Facebook, you probably have known this: Buy it sell it swap it Qatar (BISISIQ) Facebook group . As it stands today its member has reached 10,340. There is one reason why this group is popular: everyone everywhere is now on social media.

The group is basically intended for residents in Qatar to advertise items they want to sell or swap.  although it is also frequently used to advertise any yard sale or garage sale. The rules are simple. All Advertisers must give the Price expected in Qatar Riyals along with a brief description (or pictures) on the original post. All potential buyers MUST state “INTERESTED” or “NEXT” in a comment box to be considered for the sale of an item. Now, with everyone everywhere stays connected, “interested” can pop up in a mere second or minute. Late means lost unless you already stated your Interested or Next and the former potential buyers decided to pass.

I have made two buying and all experiences were exceptionally smooth. Viewed. Interested. Private message sent. Made an appointment. Done.

Before the rise of facebook-based buy-sell site, people rely on conventional modas for buying used items such as flea market (i.e. in Najma), notice boards, word-of-mouth of people leaving and making garage sale,  internal company online souq, and then community-based online sites such as free advertisement in Qatar Living. The only thing that does not exist in Qatar is a Cash Converter-type stores (or like BABE or Barbeku stores in Indonesia).

With the advancement of mobile internet and its cheap access, social media-based online flea market is inevitable.

For the laugh of football: 100% out 150% in

I have to admit that I don’t play football very well. Don’t talk about dribbling yet. I can only kick the ball out of attacked area 🙂

But not playing well is not a valid reason for missing a morning football session. When I say morning it’s really early morning. Well, just after sun rises. Miss a session and then I’ll miss the main attraction: Indonesian breakfast!

“Playing football is number 27. The number 1priority is the breakfast after”, said one of my friends. Indeed. Then a typical breakfast dish of Indonesia is what we aim for. Name it, we have them covered: nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodle), bubur ayam (chicken porridge), gudeg (young jackfruit soup), pempek (fish cake), or pecel (vegetable stew with peanut sauce). No rules who to provide…all by voluntary.

While playing football may take few calories, the breakfast will surely make it up, even much more. 100% (calories) out, 150% in. LOL. We end up getting fatter :)..though healthier..

With exceptions, most players are in their late 30-s or early 40-s. What’s happening is then the ball goes faster than our run, our laugh is louder than our actions, and friendship can only go bolder.

This two hours of laughing, joking, exercising, and exchanging rumours is why we always want a weekend to come faster. And this also what makes living in Doha more enjoyable..

 

100% out 150% in 🙂

 

An offer you can’t resist

 

Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse (or simply Outback) is an Australian-themed American casual dining restaurant chain. The branch in Doha made its debut in April 10, 2013 and is located at Lagoona Mall.

We went tasting this new guy in town on last Thursday evening.

The restaurant is located in a building that connect Lagoona Mall and Zig Zag Tower; overlooking a plaza in between these two most recognized towers in Doha. Nearby are Carrefour Market and chilis restaurant. 

We arrive at 7pm with restaurant only about one third full. There are couple of tables outside of the restaurant or in the plaza. The decor is Australian-themed though it is not as crowded as chilis or Applebee in accessories. One Australia map accessory posted on the wall to signify the theme.

We ordered Bloomin’ Onion which seemed very intriguing; Outback Special (steak), Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Fish and Chips. For drinks we ordered Milk shakes, iced tea (free refill), soda coke and large bottled water.

These were what I found:

– Services: quick service and attentive attendant (once orders settled, they came back in 5 minutes with complimentary bread; 10 min with drinks; 15 minutes with fish and chips and 25 min with steak). They offered complimentary orange juice for kids!

– Bread: brown long bread. tasty cream

– Bloomin’ Onion: big portion. fried too long. but cream is good.

– Steak: ordered well-done but it came very dry. potato is ok. cheesy corn is good

– Fish and chips: probably the best among our orders. fish is fresh and crisp on the outside but soft inside

– Chicken sandwich: no complaint

Will be back? Yes or No. Yes for fish and chips, blooming onion. No for the steak unfortunately.

Indicative prices:

– Bloomin’ Onion QR38 – enough for 4 adults!

– Fish n chips with fries QR54

– Outback special 6oz with potato and corn (or any other two side dishes)  QR76

– Grilled chicken sandwich QR43

– Kid’s steak 6oz QR43

– Milk shakes chocolate regular QR21

– Iced Tea (regular) QR10

– Bottled water (large 1.5L) QR12

Bloomin’ Onion

Outback Steakhouse Doha

Complimentary Bread

Fish and Chips

Outback Special with Potato and Corn

Why should I clear my own table?

It was a weird weekend where we went to home furnishings store just to have our dinner: yup…meat balls! We sat at one very clean table in a modern-minimalist-designed restaurant. I struck at a rhetoric question displayed on acrylic triangle on the table. Why should I clear my own table?

“Yes, why should I?” , you may think; if I am in this country that cheap services are common; from petrol station attendant, groceries helper or foodcourt I-clean-your-mess helpers.

So I cleared my own table and then sat for quite a while…observing restaurant patrons if this question really works

…and (I was surprised) it did.

People follow what ‘suggested’ by the question. Are they doing it because others doing it? because it hits their bottom line (you should clear your table so that we can maintain our price low) or it is a polite thing to do? You won’t never see this in mall’s food courts nor in fast food restaurants.

Wonder if this sign is put in those places…..

Do you clear your own table?

People discuss in the net about this question: http://www.yelp.com/topic/chandler-should-i-clean-up-my-table-at-fast-food-places