In Kuwait, men usually gather in Diwania's to discuss politics and civic concerns. Women often choose shopping malls, coffee shops, and café's such as a well known chain called tche-echt [pronounced chi-ché]. This past week, I joined a few of my friends at this café for an evening chat.
When entering the café, you will notice tables, chairs and couches for people to sit at, both inside and outside on the balcony. The entire decor is red, white and silver. Most people gathered together are smoking what is called shisha (pronounced Shee-sha), a traditional water pipe, filled with flavored tobacco, and smoked out of a long wand (picture above).
As my friends and I are talking, I can hear other people around me. Most conversations are in Arabic and quite a few conversations are commenting about the nice weather. They are happy for the dust storm to have finally blown over. Others are talking about the winter break drawing to an end and what classes they will be taking next semester.
The conversations I find most interesting are two separate ones. The first is an argument between two women about which area of Kuwait is better to live in, Shwayek (pronounced shoe-wake) or Shamiya (pronounced sham-ee-ya). Each share their opinion about why their choice is better and in the end they are laughing at how silly the conversation is.
The other conversation is of course at our table. Most of my friends are of a mixed Western and Arab background, so our conversations are usually mixed between several dialects of Arabic and English. We are discussing the economy in Kuwait versus the troubled economy in the United States. Amira comments "This is the first time I am very thankful I'm here rather than there. At least we all have job security." Although the economy in Kuwait is affected, and some companies have started to lay off employees and cut salaries, most of us are contracted teachers and have not been affected by the cuts. I comment on the fact that "630,000 people filed for unemployment in the U.S. last week alone. I too am glad my family and I are here, rather than there." However, most of us are concerned about the positions of our husbands, as they are predominately in private companies working in sales related fields.
As I listen in on other conversations, some people are discussing politics, both in the U.S. and in Kuwait. They are interested to see what impact the new administration can have on the war in Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan. One thing is clear when watching the people around me. They all seem generally relaxed, happy with where they live and appreciative of what has been offered to them. After all, times are tough these days all over the world, and it's nice to know that when you come home at the end of the day, you have friends and family to support you.
When entering the café, you will notice tables, chairs and couches for people to sit at, both inside and outside on the balcony. The entire decor is red, white and silver. Most people gathered together are smoking what is called shisha (pronounced Shee-sha), a traditional water pipe, filled with flavored tobacco, and smoked out of a long wand (picture above).
As my friends and I are talking, I can hear other people around me. Most conversations are in Arabic and quite a few conversations are commenting about the nice weather. They are happy for the dust storm to have finally blown over. Others are talking about the winter break drawing to an end and what classes they will be taking next semester.
The conversations I find most interesting are two separate ones. The first is an argument between two women about which area of Kuwait is better to live in, Shwayek (pronounced shoe-wake) or Shamiya (pronounced sham-ee-ya). Each share their opinion about why their choice is better and in the end they are laughing at how silly the conversation is.
The other conversation is of course at our table. Most of my friends are of a mixed Western and Arab background, so our conversations are usually mixed between several dialects of Arabic and English. We are discussing the economy in Kuwait versus the troubled economy in the United States. Amira comments "This is the first time I am very thankful I'm here rather than there. At least we all have job security." Although the economy in Kuwait is affected, and some companies have started to lay off employees and cut salaries, most of us are contracted teachers and have not been affected by the cuts. I comment on the fact that "630,000 people filed for unemployment in the U.S. last week alone. I too am glad my family and I are here, rather than there." However, most of us are concerned about the positions of our husbands, as they are predominately in private companies working in sales related fields.
As I listen in on other conversations, some people are discussing politics, both in the U.S. and in Kuwait. They are interested to see what impact the new administration can have on the war in Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan. One thing is clear when watching the people around me. They all seem generally relaxed, happy with where they live and appreciative of what has been offered to them. After all, times are tough these days all over the world, and it's nice to know that when you come home at the end of the day, you have friends and family to support you.
Good descriptions of the locations and descriptions. I especially enjoyed your recap.
ReplyDeleteI really like your writing!-the part about your friends and the mixture of Arabic and English dialects was enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a really great and descriptive post, It was a bit long but the length helped.
ReplyDeleteJamie Groth
Very interesting following your blog. You add a twist of culture that keeps me wanting more. Good job.
ReplyDeleteKelli, this is a really lively, well-written, and interesting blog entry. I like the way you break down the description of the two groups and what they are discussing, as well as the way you relate what is happening in Kuwait with what is happening in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI like that you talk about what's going on in Kuwait.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting twist with the conversation of your friends of mixed backgrounds being able to relate to US and Kuwait economies and culture. I really enjoyed the glimpse into the café and learning about what other people outside the states are feeling about the global crisis.
ReplyDelete