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miski · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Kuwait

Got followed once a few years ago and I was so angry I drove into a petrol station and stopped to fill the car, thinking 'he won't go so far as actually filling his car to follow me,' . Of course he did because petrol , I had forgotten , is as cheap as pepsi......anyway, very irate I jumped out of my car with a pencil and paper to take his number as he looked aghast. Thinking how well I had done, I jumped back into my car and sped off-yes forgetting both to 1) detach the petrol hose and 2) pay for the petrol...little Indian men running after me......so who felt silly? Beardy in the chevy or me?

But by and large it's a nice safe place- come here.

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject:

sarakershaw · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

trapezius · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:54 pm Post subject:

Yeah in that scenario, go for the balls. It could bring a big man down and in tears in under a second, if done properly! Swinging your bag at him or hitting with your hands will not work. (unless you have learnt how to fight!)

Other useful techniques, depending on situation and proximity:

poke/gouge his eyes
claw/scratch his face/eyes if you have big nails
kick his shins
knee him in his groin
biting if possible

but the number 1 is grabbing of balls Razz

Teach your womenfolk and women friends!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

EricBartholemew · Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 20

I didn't really enjoy working in either country, preferring Oman and a brief sojourn in Yemen.

But Kuwait was definitely worse than the UAE - I left before my first year was up. Good points: friendships with "bedoon" - Kuwaitis who had no passport, not being able to prove their grandfathers were born in Kuwait. Lowest point at the hands of a (not-bedoon) Kuwaiti: being told "I will take you into the desert and f** your English a***, then I will leave you there." I think he meant it, but his friends were my friends, and apologised later.

(I am male, and it was a little intimidating).

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

For some reason Kuwait ELT salaries are about the same as the traditionally lowest paid GCC salaries in Oman. Maybe Oman pays more these days.

Last year, the national uni KU raised ELT's teacher's salaries for the first time in, oh seven or eight years. It is now on par with some of the lower salaries paid by the private unis in the UAE like ADU--far below national colleges and unis like HCT, PI, ATI, ZU, U of S etc.

The housing might be slightly better in Kuwait simply because a few years ago there was a building boom and today there's far more supply than demand--the opposite of the UAE.

If there is one thing I remember more fondly about Kuwait, it's that ex-pats got together more often in each other's homes for pot lucks and such primarily because Kuwait lacks pubs and what not.

Other than that, these days, Kuwait offers little except perhaps a place to start in the GCC.

sheema.doshi · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 8

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canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

The worst aspect of Kuwait was the Kuwaitis attitude toward non-Kuwaitis.

This includes people of any colour or nationality. But if you are any shade of brown at all I can guarantee you will suffer discrimination.

Do not go there. You will regret it if you do.

sheema.doshi · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 8

Wow! I didn't realize it was that awful in Kuwait. Thank you for the input shirleyblue.

trapezius · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

I have lived in Saudi Arabia for a long time, and have experienced Saudi arrogance and pride, as well as disdain for non-Muslims, Indians/Pakistanis/Bangladeshis, etc. for decades.

But, interestingly enough, I have heard a few Saudis complain about how proud Kuwaitis are. Apparently, among Gulf nationals, Kuwaitis are the most arrogant/proud, and even lord themselves over Saudis, Qataris, Bahrainis, and Emiratis!!!

Gnocchiman · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 68 Location: Limbo

In my experience, the western expats who tell you they enjoy living in Kuwait were abused as children. No joke. It's a very depressing environment, the money is crap, there's absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to go. And if that wasn't bad enough, there are Kuwaitis everywhere. Like another poster said, even the Saudis don't like them (having lived in Saudi, that says a lot!). The UAE is the place to go if you want to live in the Gulf, hands down.