Kuwait + Culture
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Don't you think Kuwait needs more museums, libraries, book stores, cultural centers?...it is so lacking these qualities...
23 May 2007, 06:10 Larry
Replies
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Manal
You are right, there are a lot of bad things that happen in America, but the difference is that America actually has law, order, and an unbiased justice system. You can do what you want in Kuwait, but only as a Kuwaiti, and get away with it. Kuwaitis aren't responsible for their own actions and will never face the consequences of their ignorance. Start with your police force. Speed limits aren't enforced, seat belts and carseats aren't used. Why do you even have police here? To arrest and extort TCN's, that's why.
The Blob 05 Oct 2008, 09:17 - Report -
Question
Is this Larry Kind life? lol
CNN 07 Oct 2008, 10:08 - Report -
lolzzz...
Larry kind life...hahahaha...
Brian 08 Oct 2008, 04:33 - Report -
As soon as they allow
Alcohol (Legally like in Dubai) in Kuwait, this place will be tolarable.
Be cheaper then jumping on a flight every other weekend lolBudweiser 11 Oct 2008, 12:07 - Report -
OMGosh!
I can't believe I just read all of the above. I'm American and very respectful of other people and their cultures. I've made up my mind to accept a very lucrative job offer in Kuwait. After reading this, I'm not confident I've made the right choice. Is it possible to tolerate the above for 5 years?
American 14 Oct 2008, 08:46 - Report -
such a lonely dumb place
people in kuwait are so mean, they are racists. they are dumb they dont anything but makeups and cars thats it. basic english they cant even comprehend...gosh whats the use of having schools there?! no curricular activities, ladies stay at home thats why their asses are so big. what i hate most is that they all have problems with their hygiene. they smell like rats!
filipinas 14 Oct 2008, 03:37 - Report -
OMGosh!
American,
im with you on that???
They make it sound so awfull....english 14 Oct 2008, 07:30 - Report -
OMGosh! English...
WTF... Are they kidding?
American 15 Oct 2008, 01:33 - Report -
im a Indian
guys u right against the kuwait , kuwaity's dont want to see poor ppls here just they want more money for luxurious life ..they dont know fuc king humanity and here there is no 100% out of 100 only 8% girls pure! pure girls its difficult to find pure girls .. hehe just they saying im a muslim but they forget everything if god will give me permission to kill kuwaity's i will do 100% no more excuse them and saddam hussain was right i think he is one of the brave man in the world...need to f*** all kuwaity's bastards they treat indians like slaves here omg just if see any kuwaity's in india i will beat them so kuwaitys carefull dont come india even if u come so watch around urself if i see anyone just one kuwaity i will beat 100%
FUCK UR ASS KUWAITYS AAS 16 Oct 2008, 03:13 - Report -
OMGosh American
Im sure it cant be as bad as they are writting, i have spoken with some ppl who live and have lived there, they all loved it.
When are you due to go over there?English 16 Oct 2008, 03:31 - Report -
OMGosh! English...
I'm due to arrive in March 2009... Are you over there now?
American 16 Oct 2008, 05:17 - Report -
OMGosh American
we are just looking into it atm, we are currently in the states. if we were to go over it will be this time next year! hopefully now you will be able to give me an insight a trufull one!!!!!!! lol.... have you been over on a recee yet? we are thinking of doing that after xmas.
English 20 Oct 2008, 10:55 - Report -
Culture?
i have been in Kuwait for 2 years now. Before that i have been in almost all european countries and the U.S, Canada and also in Africa and some Asian countries. If you look at the Middle East in general it has no Industrie at all besides oil, which they needed the Europeans and Americans to get it working.
Culture: ?
Food : Fast Food and Lebanese
Clothing : cheap products from China and India sold for alot of KD
Things to do: kill themselves and others in the streets, Shopping Malls
Men; wear tightass jeans with spiked hair and hold each others hands(gay);raping their maids (slaves)
Women: Shopping, wearing tons of makeup,abusing their maids(slaves)
kids: Tv, eating fast food
Education : 3 -world
= when the oil is gone and the foreign workers too, kuwait is done because these people are so spoioled rotten they couldn't even tie their own shoe by themselves.stephan 25 Oct 2008, 01:48 - Report -
Lets be rational
I think there is a lot of overflowing emotional volcanos here when it come to living in Kuwait, but to tell you the truth, it is not fair to have such a negative look at Kuwait and its culture, I am Australian who absolutely enjoys living in Kuwait, Money is good yes, but this is not every thing, why we westerners looks at any one who is different than us as inferior to us, they dont have to speak in American or British accent to be accpeted, we have to learn to accpet other cultures and traditions, Kuwait has a strong traditions and stronf family and community bonds, All Kuwaitis I met were so kind and decent people, may be there is exceptions, oofcource you would meet the odd person here and there, but you tell me, dont you know of any assholes who are Americans or British or Australians?? I can name thousands for you. So let us live in peace and learn from each other and accpet difference as a fact of life.
Ramsay 29 Oct 2008, 05:51 - Report -
plz any1 can help me 2 leave kuwait
hello there
plz guys if any1 can help me 2 leave kuwait and go 2 canada i cant life like this in kuwait its better if i leave it or better if i dead I WANT MY FREEDOOM thats All plz Help me if u can... my email {[email removed]}fahad 06 Nov 2008, 03:42 - Report -
most boring
comparing to ksa kuwait is heaven and yes its boring all u can find is malls and malls and the people here are filled with pride and grudge and hate and treat forigners like slaves but it is there country and they are free to do whatever they want and its our choice as an expatriots to stay or get the f*** out of there own hell...
Homeless 06 Nov 2008, 08:45 - Report -
Kuwaitis, argue like grown ups!
Some Kuwaitis have been replying to these threads really stupidly. When an expat says "most Kuwaitis are rude", another Kuwaiti would reply that I have Sri Lankan friend?? hehehe....IDIOTS, the expats aren't saying that "a kuwaiti is rude", but rather "MOST Kuwaitis are rude." So if you're the friendly type, then obviously you're not among the "most"! hehehe....
Even if there are Kuwaitis who consider themselves friendly, it doesn't change the fact that the rest of the Kuwaits, who would comprise of MOST Kuwaitis, are rude! Please understand English and reply in a way at least to show to others that you've understand what the guys are saying!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!Tarek 11 Nov 2008, 04:45 - Report -
OMGosh! English...
I've changed my mind, I'm not going to Kuwait. I think it's a disgusting place. The arabs are dirty and wipe their ass with their hand. They hate Americans and aren't nice or happy people. Listening to the call to prayer all the time, blaring over loud speakers... Gimme a break. I'm taking a pay cut by not going. I don't want to risk having my head cut off or be kidnapped because of some Muslim religious ideology. Money isn't everything and I'm doing just fine without the extra. It may be a good experience, but I've subjected myself to enuf Muslim arab bull crap and... Bottom line: I don't like them and they don't like me. They started it so fuk um. Not going.
American 12 Nov 2008, 07:07 - Report -
American
Wow, im sorry to hear you will not be going over, your right money isnt every thing, what happened to make you change your views?
English 12 Nov 2008, 09:24 - Report -
American, work on your tolerance before you can expect others to tolerate you!
American,
may be if you stop watching your fox news for once, may be then you'll realize that what arabs really are is completely different from what your fox news depicts. And the good news is that Kuwait is NOT representative of the entire middle east. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are the ONLY 2 extreme countries in the middle east. Go to any other middle eastern country and things are MUCH MUCH better.
Arabs are much nicer and warmer people than the americans. at least, we don't have to take an appointment to see our own parents! so give me a break. you know why many people world wide don't like americans? because people have to be "americanized" before they can be accepted by the americans. americans don't have tolerance for anything not american. so what if you even have arab friends back in the U.S.? what are they anyways? americanized arabs?? heheheh.....unless you show tolerance to others, others will equally not have enough of a reason to be tolerant towards the americans.Tarek 13 Nov 2008, 07:48 - Report -
I miss my country Kuwait
I miss my country Kuwait
I miss my country Kuwait 18 Nov 2008, 09:28 - Report -
kalkom ag7ab
kalkom ag7ab bl kuwait tyboon floss mn al nash
anto asln ma 3ndkon asl ma tfhamoon shay kl al tfkroon feeh ya banat shloon tkoneen boya shloon tbeen kl al gensyat ytl3oon bykoon 3ndkom wa7d kuwaty wala sayg kuwaty 3ashan yaneeshk kl yoomkiss om al kuwait 23 Nov 2008, 11:51 - Report -
The bottom line
Guys, please think about it. Bad people are all over the place. However, Kuwaitis are somehow good and nice people. But living is so expensive and to some extend, youth are spoiled. They born with a golden spoon feeds them. But, if you have good offer, then go for it. At least, you will back with an experience, whether - or +
Kuwaiti in USA 29 Nov 2008, 07:40 - Report -
kuwait nationals abuse a lot of foreign domestic workers
they bet up maids,imprison them to their quarters,prevent them of thier rights and deny them of medical attention
axsdcfv@hotmail.com 29 Nov 2008, 10:53 - Report -
how dare u!?
how dare u say that?! every 1 is jelous cuz we live a great life style! since u dont like it there, MOVE OUT!!!!
proud 2 b q80 12 Dec 2008, 10:16 - Report -
Kuwait Q8 Kuwait
Every one up top needs to fix up! cos ppl are the same every where see it or not. ther are good ppl and bad ppl in the world! like Bush why are we talking about Q8 when scum bag bush is abul to duck a per of Shoes. come on try not to be like the ppl your talking about (selfish scum) ppl ever day are dieing! so just make sure your talking about the right things! so as not to be like the sum of the earth Asalama 3laykom
Tarek 15 Dec 2008, 09:53 - Report -
To : all foreigners coming to Kuwait
I have been here now 6 months and I don't hate Kuwait or Kuwaities but I agree that they are kind of racist and treat poor workers from India, Philipines, etc like slaves. I am from Europe and I am flipping about this...I can't understand how a human being can do this to another. I am trying to adapt to this place for the sake of my marriage but my mother in law is specially a nightmare to deal with. Also, anything I say is taken as an insult and they reject any ideas I have to make things differently by telling me that I am now in Kuwait and I should do as Kuwaities. I find this very difficult because I am used to hear other people's ideas. Here they just don't...they are convinced all they do is right...For a rich country they are far behing Europe in many many things...Very sad
who cares 19 Dec 2008, 04:14 - Report -
Lets be grateful...
I am an Indian expat, new in Kuwait.. I am very grateful to this country for giving me an opportunity to earn a living and support my family.
Yes, this place has numerous problems. Problems like arrogance and lack of respect for the dark skinned are rampant. But I am told things have significantly changed over the last few years. Give it time and with the younger Kuwaitis getting educated and world exposure with their travels, things will indeed change for the better. Kuwait cannot live in isolation, it will have to join the mainstream. It may not be expat friendly as a Dubai is. But from my few months here I can easily say things are fine enough for me to stay back here by choice.
In all fairness, its been from the camel's back to a Porche overnite.. that itself means the Kuwaiti is going through a state of flux.. a learning curve.. give them time and they will mould themselves as fine world citizens.... ..a bit extreme but Rome was not built in a day...Pureorama@gmail.com 28 Dec 2008, 10:16 - Report -
Kuwait is nasty
give kuwaitis some more time? until when? when i become a grand father? may be you have figured out a way to freeze your age in time, but the rest of us haven't...so to wait until these creatures become civilized is a pure waste of my precious time. 12% of the expatriates in kuwait are college graduates! so the majority of the people who accept kuwait are the type of people who aren't college graduates and who can not have the hope in finding a job abroad...THAT'S WHY they stay in kuwait! don't try to convince that there's actually an opportunity in kuwait....only those without a college degree wanna convince themselves that kuwait is that special....heheh....such a retarded country and such a waste of the planet's space.
T 29 Dec 2008, 04:46 - Report -
kuwait is not bad
why do u want 2 show the people that kuwait is bad country ?
kuwait is not the best country but it is not bad it is my country and i love it ,not all kuwaiti people are kind but in all the countries you will find bad and good people and also in kuwait
i think some people don't like kuwait because they don't know how 2 live with kuwaiti people and they think that they are always thinking about money
if you have money you will not buy the best things ?
ok we have ,so what we are going to do with this money ? we will buy all the things that we want and we are going 2 help the poor people
In kuwait there are many malls and resturants and some places to enjoy the time
what is wrong with this ?
what's wrong if we have cars ?
what's wrong of being rich ?
is that a crime ?
u want us to be poor then u will be happy ?Q8 girl 29 Dec 2008, 10:37 - Report -
do you even understand what we just said?
Q8 girl,
do you understand english? are we criticizing kuwait because of how the kuwaitis spend their money or is it because of how kuwait is structured?? because you're dumb, i'll give you a hint: it's NOT because of how kuwaitis spend their money. I could care less how kuwaitis spend their money, so stop forcing that into the argument. please, if you can't read, then don't waste your time getting into an argument. seriously, if I can find one kuwaiti who can ready intelligently, I'll do my best to pass this news to the Guinness world records!!!TA 01 Jan 2009, 02:45 - Report -
one more
Q8 girl,
my last sentence was suppose to be "if I can find one kuwaiti who can READ intelligently...."
you guys are one ignorant mother f*****! the reason I hate the kuwaitis so much is that no matter what our argument is all about, kuwaitis always turn things around by claiming that we're jealous of their spending or anything else that would try to make the non-kuwaitis appear inferior. such a typical kuwaiti approach, which is why you guys will never be loved.
for god's sake, the kuwaiti government even knows how the kuwaitis don't like each other, which is why the goverment has intervened by bribing its kuwaiti women not to marry a non-kuwaiti, otherwise they will not get KD 70,000 and will loose all the kuwaiti benefits! heheheheh!!!!
I hate kuwait not because of the kuwaiti spending habbits you idiot! I hate Kuwait because of its system, culture, and retarded mentality!! now dare tell me that you couldn't understand that so that I can get even more convinced that the kuwaitis are light-years behind the most basic level of intelligence....hehehehTarek 01 Jan 2009, 02:54 - Report -
OMGosh! English...
Hey are you still on this board? Did you move yet?
american 03 Jan 2009, 07:20 - Report -
give them time...
I was in the Abu Dhabi during the first gulf war... Abu Dhabi ended up with a lot of Kuwaitis who where fleeing. A week into their arrival and the emaratis began to despise them. The common grievance was that the Kuwaitis ended up getting drunk, chasing women, picking up fights and plain arrogance.. most Kuwaitis there acted as if they were God's gift to humanity. Things reached a point where the normally hospitable emaratis began to make their displeasure known in obvious ways... that said.. over the course of the last few years, I feel the Kuwaiti has changed.. and changed for the good. The current generation's travels, education and the internet has exposed them to realities which the previous generation just did not have access to.
pureorama 04 Jan 2009, 12:14 - Report -
Kuwait sucks indded
Unfortunately, I am a Kuwaiti... Luckily I am living abroad
That should sum it all...Hamad 07 Jan 2009, 01:15 - Report -
Is Kuwait a good place to ...
live if you are American? What is life like there? I may be moving there with a job offer and I was wondering what everyday life is like.
ThanksPietor 07 Jan 2009, 01:59 - Report -
kuwait is the most beautiful country
aha ok if you hate kuwait system go back to your country
if yo are talking about us in a bad way and you are in our country pllllllllllz what do you call your mentality?
just tell me where are you from tarek to talk about us like this ?Q8 girl 07 Jan 2009, 09:25 - Report -
Q8 Girl....
Is Kuwait a good place to live if you are American? What is life like there? I may be moving there with a job offer and I was wondering what everyday life is like. Thank you... I am a very nice person and enjoy all people ;@)
Pietor 12 Jan 2009, 05:31 - Report -
pietor ..
Hi welcome 2 kuwait
kuwait is a good place for American but you know all the countries have their own traditionals .
the weather is hot and humid in the summer and it is cold in the winter
people from different countries live in kuwait
but not all of them like kuwait as you see because they think that kuwaitie people are bad but i think you'll like the life in kuwait because many of people are kind
And many americans enjoy the life in kuwait although we don't have rivers and mountains but the life is good
good luckQ8 girl 12 Jan 2009, 09:17 - Report -
Thank you Q8 girl!
Is it a good place for American woman to live too? My girlfriend wanted to to come out with me... I was just worried that the Kuwait men will yell things at her. She has a nice figure and large goods, if you know what I mean! Is it safe for her? Thanks again for your help!
Pietor 13 Jan 2009, 03:20 - Report -
Ogeze, get that BS...
ogeze, get that bs offa here. if i want that crap i hire my beeach to go get some real shizza, not this china immotation fake copy internet crapola... now, lets continue wit dis convosation please & ignore that rude muthaf***a... i gotta idea, send dat nigga one of those trojan muthers and f*** his web site all up and shit. den we extort the procedes from da sale of dat shit and shut dat litte pussy down, den we no have to listen or read his shizza. so f*** off you little princess poshit
NikeFuckaPoorCopySellerOfFakeShit... Now beat it clown! 13 Jan 2009, 07:09 - Report -
ur welcome pietor
yes .ofcourse it's a safe place for her and for everyone
Q8 girl 14 Jan 2009, 12:42 - Report -
kuwait
f*** u ur the selfish one i think ur saying all this because ur so jelous from the kuwaities u now but were not selfish ur the one that hates kuwait leave it and go to ur country which i think is poor so be good or get out dump u and f***n u
kuwati 17 Jan 2009, 06:44 - Report -
oh got
f*** u don't f*** us ur the shut okay were not shut thank us for leting u live in our oli rich country stop being jelious f*** and f*** u ur the camel and a pig u english boy ur not even a man come and say it face to face to the kuwaities u can't because ur so scared shut ur big big u now what if ur smart okay so u have a good passport go live some where ulse
love it in kuwait 17 Jan 2009, 06:51 - Report -
Hangin out
Do Kuwaities befriend Americans and party and get to know them? I want to party with some locals when I move there..
American Dude 19 Jan 2009, 12:53 - Report -
Kuwait postal system
There is no such thing as a postal system here -mails go missing or if at all you get one, it would be tampered with.
Forget subscripions to any magazines etc.. you will never ever get one.. so goes with Christmas cards etc.. rumour has it when the postal load gets big, the mails get thrown into the desert by the postal authorities
Magazines (if expensive publications) will for sure be missing post arrival at the Kuwait post office !love it in kuwait 20 Jan 2009, 09:10 - Report -
Can someone tell me what this gibberish is all about?
can someone tell me what this gibberish is all about? what is your point please.. how old are you? seriously, i'm curious. i'm not trying to slam you guys (or girls) i'm just trying to get a feel for the kuwait educational system.
thanks!
kuwait
f*** u ur the selfish one i think ur saying all this because ur so jelous from the kuwaities u now but were not selfish ur the one that hates kuwait leave it and go to ur country which i think is poor so be good or get out dump u and f***n u
kuwati
& this???
oh got
f*** u don't f*** us ur the shut okay were not shut thank us for leting u live in our oli rich country stop being jelious f*** and f*** u ur the camel and a pig u english boy ur not even a man come and say it face to face to the kuwaities u can't because ur so scared shut ur big big u now what if ur smart okay so u have a good passport go live some where ulse
love it in kuwaitJungle Jim 22 Jan 2009, 03:13 - Report -
Kuwaiti Blues
Sociologists and politicians claim that underdevelopment and less poverty can be overcome by money. This is not true, at least in the Arab countries at the Persian Gulf. The Arab oil rich countries; Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, are a case in point. For more than half a century now these countries have been awash in petrodollars. Yet they are still underdeveloped, in particular their human resources.
The Gulf Arab countries have a wonderful infrastructure in term of roads and malls. The local population drive the latest models of cars like Mercedes, BMW, and Cadillac. Yet driving in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, for example, is an act of adventure. The locals drive recklessly. They do not respect the simplest traffic rules. Besides, it is common scene to see locals throwing their soda cans and trash out of their car windows. Both roads and malls are cleaned by Bangladeshi men for $ 90 a month, if they ever get paid.
The infrastructure has been built and is maintained by expatriate engineers and workers. Hospitals, banks, and the oil industry are all run by expats. The majority are underpaid. Institutions where the locals have the say, are ill-managed. Very often medical doctors are beaten and assaulted if locals are not served immediately. Just recently, on 10 December two doctors were severely beaten and injured at Al Jahra hospital. The most frequently used word in the Arab Gulf countries is "bsur'a" (quickly), (do it quickly). If what they want is not done "quickly" they start shouting, use physical force, or complain to the minister concerned, like a child complaining to his mother. The majority of hospitals are run by locals and deliver poor services. Ali told me, "Unless you have a "wasta" (connections) you do not get a decent medical treatment."
Ali Al Baghli, a columnist at Al Qabas newspaper in Kuwait wrote on November 13, "We Kuwaitis are spoilt. If our children are called to discipline, we interpret this as harsh treatment and rush directly to the Minister of Education and complain. We are very good at making of little incidents scandals." An American teacher at the English school of Kuwait who undressed in front of her female pupils in the change cabins of a swimming pool was accused of delivering a strip-tease show and therefore was fired.
Katharine Philip who used to teach at Al Bayan school, a private school in Kuwait was not allowed to leave Kuwait for her summer vacation 2006. Her "crime" was she sentenced the son of a rich Kuwait, Al Marzuq, to discipline detention for three hours after school because he was fighting with other pupils. The teacher acted in accordance with the school's rules of which the father was aware.
The local population at the Arab Gulf are well-connected. They get what they want through "wasta" (connections). In Kuwait, for example, they meet in the evening in Diwaniyas (private guest houses) and exchange "favors". Most of these favors go against the law. A local, for instance, does not need to take a driving test. He/she gets the deriver's license home delivered.
Over 90% of locals are employed by the state. They cash lavish salaries for doing almost nothing. The job, most of the jobs, are carried out by expats. Mohammed Al Saleh, a columnist at Al Qabas in Kuwait complains about this. He wonders whether the government should not remove Kuwaitis from their jobs. They simply hinder the flow of jobs. They are detrimental to executing job properly. They should stay home and get their salaries. Being on the job, especially in official institutions, like the Ministry of the Interior, and migration department, they are obstacles than facilitators on the job. He suggests that the government employ only expats to do the job.
Ahmed Al Baghdadi, a columnist at the Kuwaiti newspaper, Al Siyasa, also wonders, "What do we actually produce? Our oil is produced and marketed by expats. The vegetables we produce in green houses in Al Wafra are cultivated and looked after by expats. The Kuwaiti owners of these houses get huge amounts of subsidies from the government for products which if we imported would cost one tenth of the price produced locally. We Kuwaitis are parasites. We produce nothing, we import everything, and consume a lot."
The locals lack discipline and work ethics. On top of that they are under-qualified. They get the job by wasta (connections). Ahmed is almost illiterate. He works at the airport. His work, if you can call that work, consists of stamping the date on customers cargo receipts before they collect their shipment. Ahmed cashes a salary of bout $ 4500. Al Saleh criticizes Kuwaiti employees for abusing their job. He says, they often show up late to work. Half an hour before the midday prayer, they disappear claiming they went to pray. In fact they have gone home.
According to the latest report of the UN Arab Development Program (October 2006), the productivity of a Kuwaiti worker is not more than 15 minutes a day. Once appointed in job, Kuwaitis cannot be dismissed. "That is why employers in the private sector would hesitate a hundred times before they employ a Kuwaiti. They are right." Al Saleh asserts. A recent law imposes fines on Kuwaiti employers whose work force of Kuwaitis is less than 15%. The Kuwaiti employers prefer to pay the fine than employing a Kuwaiti.
Ahmed Al Sarraf, another columnist at Al Qabas newspaper has written numerous articles on those "charity" organizations in Kuwait, more than 150 of them. They have collected millions of dollars and allege that they spend the money on development programs in Africa and Asia. All these organizations are not subject to any financial control. Al Sarraf and many in the American administration believe that most of the money goes to finance radical Muslims across the globe.
Among the local population you do not find one single man or woman who does a manual job. They depend completely on expats. Besides, they abuse expatriate workers, especially their maids and servants. They make them work for 24 hours, seven days a week for a meager wage of $ 90, if they ever pay the money. Lots of Arab Gulf employers abuse their maids. They beat and rape them.
Racial discrimination is also widespread in Arab countries at the Persian Gulf. The oil Arabs look down at expats from Asia and Africa, but feel inferior to Westerners. Yet locals are treated like VIPs, which for many expats stands for "Very Ignorant Person". As an Indian expat was taking a driving test and was asked, "If you are driving in a round-about who has driving preference, you or the one trying to drive into the round-about? The driver's license candidate answered, "The Kuwaiti."
Foreign investors are not allowed to establish their own businesses in the Gulf Arab countries. They need a local business partner. These partners are usually members of big families, rich and influential and dictate their own terms. Al Ghanim, Al Sultan, Al M'osharji, Al Sane', Al Saadun, Al Qadhi, etc. are just a few examples. These families have exclusive operation licenses Mercedes, BMW, MacDonalds, Burger King, and other trade marks.
In the name of Islam, predominantly "Wahhabism", a rigid, simplistic, dogmatic interpretation of Islam, a vocal local minority is terrorizing the majority. They harass women to wear the hijab, head and face scarf. Public music and singing are forbidden. Gender-segregation is a must from kindergarten to university. The so called Mutawas (morality) police beat and detain people who are spotted on the street during the daily five prayer times, including non-Muslims.
Façade Islamization is everywhere. The Finance House of Kuwait claims that it does not take interests on loans. Interests in Islam is "riba" (usury). In fact it does, but it calls it "murabaha" (shared profit). Al Saleh says, "This is hypocrisy". It is fake wine in genuine bottles. Alcohol and prostitution are forbidden in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. But according to the World Health Organization, 23% of the local population is alcoholic. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch excoriate annually the Arab countries at the Persian Gulf for human trafficking and slavery practices. Women are imported as domestic workers from Asia and beauty experts from East European countries and abused as sex objects.
Members of the ruling families in the oil Arab countries are awash in huge sums of petrodollars. They regard the wealth of their countries as their own and shove it into their accounts. They are plundering their countries. According to the latest report of the World Bank, Saudi Arabia has debts of around 1400 billion dollars. The private investments of members of the ruling families in the West amounts to over $ 2000 billions.
Every local in the Arab oil countries is trying to snatch his own share of their states' wealth and squander it on conspicuous consumer goods, like cars and vacations abroad. They make huge debts and ask the government to waive them by hook and by crook. This is specially the case in Kuwait.
Over the past 6 years several private universities have been established in Kuwait, for example, the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), a fancy name, and the American University of Kuwait. GUST claims that it is affiliated to Missouri University to attract students who pay around $ 15000 of fees a year. Graham Collins who used to work for this university told me, "This is deceitful. These universities are in reality diploma mills".
Like all Arabs, the Persian-Gulf Arabs learn Standard Arabic as a second language. It is the official language across the Arab world and the medium of writing. Local dialects are not allowed to be used in writing. Standard Arabic is like Latin to the Italians. Nobody speaks it as a mother tongue. Like all Arabs, the Gulf Arabs use their own local dialects for daily verbal communication. The local dialects, however, are simple and limited means of expression, especially when it comes to expressing abstract concepts. Today most of Arabs are unable to express sophisticated ideas. As thought and language go hand in hand, Arab contemporary thinking is limited and very often incoherent. They sound like children trying to use a language.
Unfortunately, the West and the whole developed world does not care much about the dismal human rights records, social injustice, exploitation and abuse of foreign workers, and lack of democracy in Arab countries at the Persian Gulf. They are more interested in marketing their products in these rich countries. George W. Bush and others want to establish democracy in Iraq, but they have never mentioned Saudi Arabia, for instance, which is not only despotic but medieval and very repressive, at best. It is totalitarianism par excellence.Kuwaiti blues.. 27 Jan 2009, 01:02 - Report -
Interesting...
How does this affect normal everyday life for an American expat earning a good wage? What can an American expect in Kuwait if he moves his life there? Do the locals want to meet and get to know Americans?
Jonny on the spot 27 Jan 2009, 05:26 - Report -
To Kuwait blues
WAY too academic for this forum..speak from the heart!!!
?????????? 28 Jan 2009, 09:07 - Report
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