Moments later Fatima receives another message, this time giving the man's name
and mobile phone number. "It was a lot harder to meet guys before these new
phones," she says as she replies to the message.
Bluetooth was created with the corporate world in mind but its popularity has
mushroomed, especially in restrictive societies in the affluent Gulf, whose
modern cities and large foreign work force belie a deeply conservative local
culture.
Qatar is less restrictive than neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which practices a
strict version of Islam that forbids men and women who are not related from
mixing, but Qataris still find it difficult to socialise without incurring
parental or social anger.
Ahmed Hijazi, a 26-year-old Web site designer, says Bluetooth is a welcome
addition to his social life.
"It wasn't that long ago when we used to drive along the waterfront, and if we
saw a group of girls driving by, we would open our window and throw them one of
our mobiles so that we could speak with them," he says.
"It would work, but it wasn't the most efficient way to meet girls. It's much
easier today thanks to Bluetooth."
Having more fun
"I don't think anyone in the research and development field ever imagined this
technology to be used in these kinds of ways," said Bob Evans, a Doha-based IT
consultant.
"What was designed to be a tool for enhanced communication and technological
convenience has also opened the door to all sorts of use. And clearly people
are having a bit more fun with it than was intended."
In Saudi Arabia, authorities have cautioned against using mobile phones for
"immoral" purposes, which includes distributing pictures of unveiled women.
The technology has helped the world's oldest profession thrive in Qatar's
Islamic society where prostitution is illegal.
Anxiously sitting at a lounge in one of Doha's five-star hotels, 35-year-old
designer Waleed is awaiting a Bluetooth message from a woman seated a few
metres away from him.
Bluetooth, he explains, allows him to avoid drawing attention to himself while
he tries to make a deal.
"This way, nobody can suspect anything. Its all done discreetly," he says.
His phone beeps, with the answer he was hoping for. "It's as simple as that,"
he adds, getting up to leave.
Open to Abuse
Not everyone, however, is impressed with the technology. Leila, a 24-year-old
designer, now turns off the Bluetooth in her mobile in cafes after being
harassed by admirers.
"I received this guy's picture and number and thought it was a joke but then I
saw him sitting a few tables away from us," she said, referring to the first
time she was "Bluetoothed".
"The whole thing is kind of weird."
Like most technology, Bluetooth can be easily abused.
IT expert Evans says it makes mobiles more vulnerable to viruses or crime,
referring to high-profile cases with Hollywood stars whose contact lists were
lifted from their mobile phones.
Bluetooth can lead to embarrassing situations.
Zeina, 21, discovered a friend's teenage brother was using it to meet older
women after he "Bluetoothed" her by mistake.
"I told his sister and we went to his mother and showed her what he had been
doing," she said. "His phone was taken away."
Reuters
