Kuwait Way of Life



	The youth of today and the youth of yesteryear bear some resemblance to each other in being bound by Arab and Islamic culture. One must draw the line there, however, and consider the impact of being hurtled from a nomadic existence into the 20th Century with little time either to evolve properly or to digest culturally.

	Kuwaiti youths, with their trappings of relative wealth, are in some ways the polar opposite of the youth of just a generation ago. Money has brought everything and more. They can spend their time exploring the wonders of instant modern technology.



		Kuwait University Campus

The women, despite their more traditional status, have been accorded more freedom than their mothers. They are now more free to pursue outside interests, including careers, business, and shopping for the latest consumer goods from all over the world. They are also free to drive, though they do not do it with quite the same unfettered gusto as their brothers.



		Female Graduate


		Clubs and societies have been formed which sponsor sporting, artistic, or scientific activities. They remain of some interest to the present-day youth, but all the time one feels an undercurrent of restlessness despite everything. It would be interesting to look in on Kuwaiti society in 100 years’ time. What will it be like? What will have changed? Who knows? As the Kuwaitis will tell you, it’s all in the hands of God.


	When you deal with Kuwaitis in whatever capacity, bear in mind you are dealing with a nation with a strong trading tradition. Kuwaitis are past masters at

haggling and negotiating. Even if you’re not supposed to haggle over something, they will! They have been doing it since before they could walk, and it’s in their blood. They’ll be tough and shrewd, but fair, in their dealings with you.


	Furthermore, your social and professional success will be enhanced significantly by observing certain points of etiquette and knowing some salient cultural traits. Being well-attired and well-groomed, for example, makes a difference wherever you are; in Kuwait it is especially relevant. That all-important word “form” is very much in evidence. Losing form is an anathema; boosting form is most laudable.

	Personal contact as opposed to indirect communication is still highly recommended. Even if you are not scheduled to meet a Kuwaiti, you will find that making the effort, whether necessary or not, and dropping in on your Kuwaiti counterpart in order to straighten something out will be better received than using the more conventional forms of communication.

		Even if you have no problems that require his views, just “popping in” for the sake of doing so is part of the culture. You will find people paying casual visits during your scheduled meetings. You may find this annoying and feel that nothing much has been achieved. It may be true, but things take time here, and time is not of the essence. As one recent advertisement put it “It’s a completely different lifestyle.”