In medieval times, Kuwait was under the nominal rule of the Ottoman Empire. In practice,

the Kuwaitis have always maintained autonomy by playing one ruler against another. During

that era, they usually pitted the Ottomans against the Persians (modern Iran).

In the sixteenth century, the Portuguese established forts to protect their shipping trade

routes. Two centuries later, the British supplanted the Portuguese as the dominant European

power in the Gulf. Again the Kuwaitis sought alliances, and they decided that they would

have the most freedom under the British flag. The first treaties between Britain and Kuwait

were signed in 1899.

 

Despite its ancient history, Kuwait has been recognized as a fully independent nation

only since 1961, when British rule ended.

 

Kuwait’s massive oil reserves were not discovered until the 1930s, and development of

the oilfields was delayed by World War II. Only in the 1950s did oil wealth remake Kuwait.

The wealth transformed Kuwait’s economy without making any basic changes in the political

structure.

 

Following Kuwait’s independence in 1961, Iraq made territorial claims on the country.

Threatened intervention by Britain kept the Iraqis from invading in the 1960s. By 1990, Britain

was no longer the dominant military power in the Gulf, and Saddam Hussein convinced

himself that the United States would not intervene militarily. Iraq invaded and then annexed

Kuwait in 1990. The emir and his cabinet fled to Saudi Arabia.

After Iraq refused to obey a UN resolution to withdraw, a coalition of many nations,

led by the United States, invaded in January of 1991. The shooting war was over within a

month, as Iraqi forces quickly retreat from Kuwait. However, before leaving, the Iraqis set

many Kuwaiti oil wells on fire. The emir returned in March of 1991; under international and

domestic pressure, he allowed the National Assembly to be restored.

Kuwait and Iraq finally moved toward normalizing relations in 2002. But the following

year, the Second Gulf War broke out. Coalition forces—this time primarily belonging to the

United States and the United Kingdom—invaded and occupied Iraq. Saddam Hussein was

captured, ending the military threat to Kuwait.

 

Type of G overnment

The emir now rules Kuwait as a constitutional monarchy. Traditionally, the emir of Kuwait—

always a member of the al-Sabah family—exercised total authority. However, the emir was

always careful to allow the powerful Kuwaiti merchant families to prosper. In effect, the

merchants yielded their political power in return for economic power.

By and large, the al-Sabah emirs ruled adroitly. They managed to maintain Kuwait’s identity

despite being surrounded by powerful neighbors. Oil wealth brought changes. Health

and educational services were transformed, and the populace (now educated and familiar

with Western political ideas) agitated for a voice in government. By 1962 a constitution had

been written for Kuwait, establishing a National Assembly patterned after an assembly that

had evolved back in the 1930s. Despite being an essentially conservative body, this modern

assembly did not support the emir on all issues. Friction between the assembly and the emir

increased until, in 1976, the assembly was dissolved and the constitution was suspended.

The assembly remained suspended at the time of Iraq’s 1990 invasion, although an advisory

body, the National Council, was in existence. While in exile, the emir promised that the

assembly would be reconvened. After the war, a new National Assembly was elected, and in

2006 a new emir took office: Sabah al-Sabah.

 

A proposal by the former emir to allow women to vote and hold public office was passed

in the National Assembly in 2005. (See the Cultural Note at the end of the chapter for information

on Kuwait’s first female Cabinet Minister.) The emir is both head of state and head of

government. There is an appointed prime minister and an independent judiciary.

 

Cultural Note

The official language of Kuwait is Arabic. Classical Arabic (the language of the Koran) is revered by the Arab people. However, in daily life, people speak modern dialects of Arabic. Kuwaitis speak the dialect known as Gulf Arabic, which is shared by most of the people of the Arab peninsula. Gulf Arabic is mutually intelligible with that spoken by Egyptians and Palestinians. However, speakers of Gulf Arabic may have a difficult time communicating with speakers of the Arabic dialects used in Iraq or North Africa.

 

Language

Arabic is the national language, but English is widely spoken among the business classes.

For data on the languages of Kuwait, visit Ethnologue at www.ethnologue.com.

 

The K uwaiti View

Kuwait is an Islamic country. The majority—including the Kuwaitis in positions of power—

are Sunni Muslims. Friction sometimes exists between the Sunnis and the Shiite minority

(about 20 percent), which escalated into terrorist violence in the 1980s. Kuwait’s version

of Sunni Islam is quite conservative and is influenced by the fundamentalist Wahabism of

Saudi Arabia.

 

Women are gaining more rights since the passage of the law in 2005 that allows them to

vote and run for public office. Additionally, they are not forced to wear traditional clothing.

Indeed, despite their status, women make up more than 10 percent of the Kuwaiti work

force (particularly since the Persian Gulf War).

 

Only a small portion of Kuwait’s population are fully enfranchised citizens. There are

over 100,000 Bidun (disenfranchised) Kuwaitis, who are classified as “long-term noncitizens.”

They do not get the stipends or educational and health benefits given to citizens.

Kuwait is still dealing with the trauma of the 1990–1991 Iraqi occupation. In addition

to the destruction, oppression, and torture inflicted on the Kuwaitis by the Iraqis, there are

other ramifications. Kuwaitis accused of collaborating with the Iraqis have been dealt with.

Since PLO leader Yasir Arafat publicly supported Saddam Hussein, the thousands of Palestinians

who worked in Kuwait were deported after the country was liberated. They were

replaced by workers from different parts of the world, mostly from Bangladesh. (Among

other duties, Bengali workers were given the unenviable task of removing the thousands of

land mines left by the Iraqis.) Kuwaiti women also filled some of the vacancies left by the

Palestinians.

 

There are also thousands of refugees from Iraq in Kuwait.

 

The presence of thousands of soldiers from many countries on Kuwaiti soil has been

troublesome; their existence was considered a regretful necessity to the security of Kuwait.

 

Know Before You Go

The greatest hazard to visitors to Kuwait involves vehicular accidents.

As a strict Islamic country, Kuwait prohibits the importation of alcohol, pork products, or pornography. Persons found in possession of these may be dealt with harshly.

The effects of the huge oil well fires set by the retreating Iraqi occupiers in 1991 are debated, but they certainly caused severe air pollution.

Iraqis also planted millions of antipersonnel mines throughout the country. At this point, contractors have removed some 1.5 million land mines. However, many more remain, and travelers should be cautious when venturing off heavily trafficked areas.

 

Cultural O rientation

Cognitive S tyles: H ow K uwaitis O rganize and P rocess Information

Kuwaitis’ minds are generally closed to most information that does not reflect Islamic values.

Most university education is in North America or Europe, which brings with it a degree of

abstractive thinking. However, Kuwaitis are taught from youth to think associatively. They

generally approach problems subjectively according to the tenets of Islamic law.

 

Negotiation S trategies: What K uwaitis A ccept as E vidence

Truth is found in Islamic law, so faith in its ideologies permeates all discussions. Subjective

feelings are the predominant way of discerning the truth in any situation.

 

Value S ystems: T he Basis for Behavior

Islam is the state religion and the main source of legislation. All behavior is judged by Islamic

principles. The following three sections identify the Value Systems in the predominant

culture—their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth.

 

Locus of Decision-Making

The male leader is the locus of decision-making, but he respects the consensus of the group

or collective. The individual is always subordinate to the family, tribe, or collective. Solutions

to problems primarily lie in the correct interpretation and application of divine law.

Leadership and identity come from a person’s lineage and his or her ability to protect the

honor of the extended family.

 

Sources of Anxiety Reduction

Security is found in family loyalty and absolute submission to Islamic law. Tribal loyalty

will influence hiring and employment even among foreign companies. Loyalty to the ruling

clan, not nationality, brings a feeling of national security. Tribal membership remains the

cornerstone of the individual’s social identity.

 

Issues of Equality/Inequality

Within Islam, all believers are equal and united in the ulema. However, some tribes feel

superior to others. Traditional respect for literacy and aversion to manual labor has created

a need for large numbers of foreign workers, with varying degrees of acceptance. Men and

women are often considered to be qualitatively different in emotion and intellect.

Historically, public life had been the exclusive domain of men. However, in 2005, women

were given far more freedom through the passage of a law that granted them the right to

vote and to hold elective office.

 

Cultural Note

Kuwaitis are usually very interested in technology. The majority of them go online regularly and invest in the latest electronic gadgets. Many of them are also particularly enamored of automobiles.

 

Business Practices

Punctuality, A ppointments, and L ocal T ime

● Punctuality was not traditionally considered a virtue in Kuwait. Your client may be late

for an appointment or not show up at all. You, however, should endeavor to be prompt,

particularly if your Kuwaiti contact was educated in the West. They will expect you to be

on time.

● It is standard practice to keep supplicants (including foreign businesspeople) waiting. Do

not expect to be able to keep more than one appointment per day.

An appointment is rarely private. Expect your visit to be interrupted by phone calls

and visits from your client’s friends and family. Westerners frequently find these distractions

infuriating; try to maintain your equanimity.

● Kuwaiti officials traditionally worked no more than six hours per day. Some may do

more, but mornings are usually best for appointments.

● Understand that government employment of Kuwaitis is often an aspect of the welfare

system rather than a method of running an industrialized state. Kuwaiti officials may

show up to work or not, as they please. The day-to-day work is done by foreigners, mainly

non-Kuwaiti Arabs.

● Of the several people present at Kuwaiti business meetings, the person who asks you

the most questions is likely to be the least important (this is often a non-Kuwaiti professional).

The real decision-maker is probably a silent, elderly Kuwaiti who watches everything

but never speaks to you directly.

● Because people wander in and out of meetings, you may be asked to repeat the entire presentation

several times. Do so gracefully. Do not become angry, even if you are asked to

repeat the presentation for an obviously unqualified, uncomprehending family member.

● Kuwaitis try to maintain their calm in any and all circumstances, and you are expected to

do the same.

● Bring plenty of copies of promotional materials.

● Friday is the Muslim holy day, and no business is conducted. Most people do not work

on Thursdays, either. The work week runs from Saturday through Wednesday.

● Paperwork should carry two dates, the Gregorian (Western) date and the Hijrah (Arabic)

date.

● Kuwait is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. +3), or eight hours ahead

of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +8).

 

Cultural Note

Some foreign businessmen recommend holding business meetings in the lobby of an international hotel, rather than in a Kuwaiti’s office. This has several advantages. There will be fewer people wandering in and out of the meeting. Their willingness to come to you demonstrates that the Kuwaitis are truly interested. Finally, you will have access to refreshments that may be more to your taste. (The local tea and coffee served by Kuwaitis is quite strong; in a hotel, you can get a variety of drinks.)

 

Negotiating

● The pace of business is much, much slower in Kuwait than it is in the West. Be patient.

● Since they are in no hurry, Kuwaitis have no fear of silence. Do not feel obligated to

speak during every period of silence.

● Business meetings always start slowly, with long inquiries into one’s health and journey.

You may have two or three preliminary meetings (consisting entirely of small talk) before

you ever get to make your presentation. The Kuwaitis will let you know when they are

ready to talk about business.

● Business cards should be printed in English on one side and in Arabic on the other. Hand

your card to a Kuwaiti with your right hand, with the Arabic side facing him.

Kuwaitis speak at a much closer distance than North Americans are used to. Do not

back up or shy away. There is also more physical contact.

● Coffee is often served toward the end of a business meeting. This is a signal that it the

meeting will soon conclude. Incense may be lit at this time as well.

Kuwaiti men often walk hand in hand. If a Kuwaiti holds your hand, take it as a sign

of friendship.

● Arabic is a language of hyperbole. When a Kuwaiti says “yes,” it usually means “possibly.”

Be encouraged by this, but do not assume that the negotiating is over.

It is possible that you will never meet the true decision-maker. It is also possible that

the decision-maker was silently observing you while you made your presentation.

● A sage Kuwaiti adviser will sound out the opinions of various decision-makers before

you meet with them. He will then put you in contact only with the ones most likely to

favor your proposal. Do not rush your contact into introducing you. To do so is to risk

having your proposal turned down because you met with the wrong persons.

● When business partners in Kuwait cannot come to an agreement, the case may be taken to

court. Unlike Western courts, which hand down a decision, Kuwaiti courts are intended

to be arbitrators, recommending an out-of-court settlement. A westerner is usually prudent

to accept such a compromise, even in a case where the westerner feels he should win

a judgment. Never allow a dispute between you and your Kuwaiti sponsor to be settled

by a judge, unless you plan on terminating your Kuwaiti operations. If the judge rules

against your sponsor, you will have caused your sponsor to be publicly humiliated, and

he will probably obstruct all future dealings you have in the country.

● Avoiding shame is extremely important to Kuwaitis. Always be aware of this. You may have

to compromise on some issue not for any practical reason but to protect someone’s ego.

● When a contract is finally drawn up, keep it as brief as possible. Arab contracts are traditionally

only a few pages long.

● The legal, binding contract must be in Arabic, even if there is an English-language one as well.

Business E ntertaining

● Hosting visitors is considered a virtue among Kuwaitis, so they will take care of all of the

entertaining within their country.

● Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering a building. Follow the lead of your host.

● Remember that alcohol and pork are proscribed for orthodox Muslims, and that eating is

done with the right hand only. Even if you are left-handed, eat with your right hand.

● Expect to encounter eating utensils only in the most westernized of Kuwaiti homes.

● Do not bring up the subject of women unless your Kuwaiti counterpart does so first. Do

not even inquire about the health of a Kuwaiti’s wife or daughter.

● The topic of Israel should similarly be avoided.

● Sports are a good topic of conversation. Soccer (football), horse and camel racing (with

betting prohibited), hunting, and falconry are the most popular Kuwaiti sports.

● Truffles are also a good topic of conversation. The truffles that grow in the Kuwaiti desert

are often larger and milder than those that grow in Europe.

 

Cultural Note

Kuwaitis have a reputation for being generous, affable hosts. Once you have established a relationship with them, they will feel free to stop by your office without an appointment. You are expected to do the same to them, even though this concept is very alien to Western executives. Even if the time you stop by is very inconvenient, they will put on a smile and greet you in an unhurried fashion.

 

Protocol

Greetings

● As several styles of greetings are currently in use in Kuwait, it is safest to wait for your

Kuwaiti counterpart to initiate the greeting, especially at a first meeting.

● Westernized Kuwaiti men shake hands with other men.

Some Kuwaiti men will shake hands with Western women. Western businesswomen

should wait for a Kuwaiti man to offer his hand.

● Before the war, Kuwaiti women made up little more than 10 percent of the work force,

and few were in positions where they met with foreigners. Since the war, the Kuwaiti

government has been deporting “unreliable” foreigners, and many of these jobs have

been taken over by Kuwaiti women. Wait for a Kuwaiti businesswoman to offer her

hand.

● When a veiled Kuwaiti woman is with a Kuwaiti man, it is not traditional to introduce her.

● A more traditional Kuwaiti greeting between men involves grasping each other’s right hand,

placing the left hand on the other’s right shoulder, and exchanging kisses on each cheek.

 

Cultural Note

In addition to offices, Kuwaitis have a traditional meeting place known as a diwaniyah. Decades ago these were tents set up to entertain male guests away from one’s home. Today, they are simply shaded areas adjacent to homes—rather like a large porch in a Western home. Benches with colorful cushions are set up, often in the shape of a square. This allows many men to sit and converse together. Men will come and go, smoking, eating nuts, drinking tea, and socializing. Diwaniyahs are used in the early evening, after the heat of the day. Sometimes, a television is brought out for people to watch. Although these seem to be entirely social gatherings, a great deal of business is conducted in diwaniyahs.

 

Titles/Forms of A ddress

● Westerners frequently find Arabic names confusing. The best solution is to request the

names—written in English—of any Kuwaitis you will have to meet, speak to, or correspond

with. Find out both their full names (for correspondence) and how they are to

be addressed in person.

● Kuwaiti names are written in Arabic. In part because short vowels are not written in

Arabic, translating from Arabic to other alphabets is not an exact science. Arabic names

may be spelled several different ways in English.

● In general, Kuwaiti names are written in the same order as English names: title, given

name, middle name (often a patronymic), and surname (family name). Thus, the former

ruler (emir) of Kuwait was Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah; his title was Sheikh,

his given name was Jaber (also spelled Jabir), al-Ahmed (or al-Ahmad) is a patronymic

meaning “son of Ahmed,” and al-Sabah was his family name.

● The terms al and bin (sometimes spelled ibn) both literally mean “from” in Arabic, so

it is not immediately apparent whether a name like “bin Mubarak” indicates “son of

Mubarak” or “from the town of Mubarak.” Most Kuwaitis prefer al and use it in patronymics.

However, both al and bin may be used in the same name.

If an Arab’s grandfather is (or was) a famous person, he sometimes adds his grandfather’s

name. Thus, Dr. Mahmoud bin Sultan bin Hamad al-Muqrin is “Dr. Mahmoud,

son of Sultan, grandson of Hamad, of the house (family) of Muqrin.”

● Westerners frequently mistake bin for the name Ben, short for Benjamin. Obviously, bin

has no meaning by itself, and one cannot address a Kuwaiti as “bin.” Kuwaitis do not use

the name Benjamin.

● The female version of bin is bint. Thus, Princess Fatima bint Ibrahim al-Saud is “Princess

Fatima, daughter of Ibrahim, of the house of Saud.”

● Most Kuwaitis should be addressed by title and given name (e.g., Sheikh Khalil), just as

you would address a member of the British aristocracy (e.g., Sir John). They can also be

addressed as “Your Excellency.” In writing, use the full name.

● In Kuwait, the title Sheikh (pronounced “shake”) designates membership in the Kuwaiti

royal family.

Gestures

● The left hand is considered unclean in the Arab world. Always use the right hand in

preference to the left (unless you are handling something considered unclean). Never eat

with the left hand; eat only with your right hand. Avoid gesturing with the left hand.

● While Arabs constantly gesture with their hands while speaking, they do not point at

another person. This would be considered impolite.

● As a general rule, keep both feet on the ground. Arabs do not cross their legs when sitting.

Never show the bottom of your foot to an Arab; this is considered offensive.

● The “thumbs-up” gesture is offensive throughout the Arab world.

 

Gifts

● Kuwaiti hospitality is legendary. You are not required to bring a gift when invited to a

Kuwaiti home; however, one will be appreciated.

● Appropriate gifts include crafts or picture books from your home. Avoid images or

pictures of people or dogs; Islam proscribes images of the human body, and dogs are

considered unclean.

● Good gifts for businesspeople include gold pens, pencils, finely made compasses (so that

they will always know where Mecca is), business card cases, and cigarette lighters. Have

the items engraved, when possible.

● Traditionally, every Kuwaiti who must broker or approve a business deal takes a percentage.

Be careful that you do not run afoul of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

● Avoid admiring an item too effusively; a Kuwaiti will feel obligated to give it to you.

● When offered a gift by a Kuwaiti, it is impolite to refuse.

 

Cultural Note

The exchange of gifts is one way to acquire wasta, an Arabic word for “influence.” Wasta is the way things get done in Kuwait. The best way to cut through Kuwaiti bureaucracy is to have someone with wasta intervene for you. 

 

Dress

● While foreigners are not exempt from the Kuwaiti standards of modesty, do not adopt

native clothing: for men, a ghotra (headdress) and thobe (flowing white robe); for women,

a veil and an abaya (black head-to-foot robe). Kuwaitis may find it offensive to see foreigners

dressed in their traditional clothes.

● Foreigners should wear Western clothes that approach the modesty of Kuwaiti dress.

Despite the heat of the desert, most of the body must remain covered.

● Men should wear long trousers and a shirt, preferably long-sleeved. A jacket and tie are

usually required for business meetings. Keep shirts buttoned up to the collarbone.

● Men should avoid wearing visible jewelry, especially around the neck.

● While not all Kuwaiti women wear traditional clothing, all women—including foreigners—

must wear modest clothing in public. The neckline should be high, and the sleeves

should come to at least the elbows. Hemlines should be well below the knee, if not anklelength.

The overall effect should be one of baggy concealment; a full-length outfit that is

tight and revealing is not acceptable. Therefore, pants or pantsuits are not recommended.

While a hat or scarf is not always required, it is wise to keep a scarf at hand. The suitability

of your attire will be apparent as soon as you venture out; if Kuwaiti men stare lewdly

at you, your dress is not sufficiently modest.

 

Cultural Note

Massouma al-Mubarak is Kuwait’s first female Cabinet Minister. Her appointment to the post was met with insults from Islamic fundamentalists—and enthusiastic cheers from her supporters. The passage of the law in Parliament that allowed women to vote and hold office occurred in 2005.