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The Kuwaiti culture is well known for its hospitality and generosity.^[1]

[edit] Hospitality

The Kuwaiti culture, just like many other Arabian cultures, takes great pride in hospitality. Guests in people homes are treated with great warmth and respect. Host exhibit their polished manners and expect the same back from their guest while conversing and setting a good example from their behaviours.

[edit] Greeting

Kuwaitis traditionally greet each other by shaking hands and kissing cheeks. However, men and women do not exchange more than a possible handshake to greet each other in respect unless the man and the woman are related to one another. It is also customary for people greeting each other to ask a long series of questions concerning one's health, that of their relatives, their jobs, etc., such as asking how good they are feeling in order to relax the other person and give a sense of intimacy. Usually, elders are greeted first as a sign of respect.

[edit] Tea

Hospitality in Kuwait is often portrayed through the serving of tea and coffee. It is very uncommon for a guest to enter a house, office, or even some stores without being offered tea or coffee. In Kuwaiti bedouin custom, a guest's refusal of tea, coffee, or such offerings is sometimes viewed as insulting by the host, as it is as if the guest is denying the host's efforts of being hospitable and generous. Common types of teas that are served include chai, black tea, green tea, peppermint, lemon, and chamomile. The tea is prepared in a kettle and brought up to a boil before being served. Sometimes, the black tea is prepared with cardamom; also, milk may be added as a subsidiary to sugar. The hot drinks are usually accompanied by a selection of nuts or sweets such as baklawa, and later, possibly a cold drink.

[edit] Food

Food plays a large part in Kuwaiti culture. The national dish of Kuwait known as machboos (Arabic: مكبوس‎) consists mainly of mutton, chicken, or fish placed over or mixed in a large mass of well-cooked and prepared rice. Food is almost always prepared and served in large amounts, and it is extremely common for households to invite guests over to share meals.

[edit] Dewaniya

The Dewaniya is a fundamental part of Kuwaiti life. A place that is separate from the main house and usually used by men for social gathering, it offers a unique insight into local life. Within a social atmosphere the Dewaniya provides a meeting place for discussions on politics, business, and life – a kind of forum that provides a barometer of public – something that has existed throughout the history of the country.

Dewaniya has several types, private, public and family. The private is just for close friends who usually gather daily and public are fixed with a weekly timing where anyone can visit, ing of prominent family, where all people can come and meet the family members.

Most Dewaniyas start after the sunset till midnight thg a break in summer.

Dewaniya came from Dewan, an Indian word which means a

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Paul D. Kennedy (2004). "5.1". Doing Business with Kuwait. GMB Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1905050607.

[0] Paul D. Kennedy (2004). "5.1". Doing Business with Kuwait. GMB Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1905050607.

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