Culture in Kuwait Essay

The State of Kuwait is a sovereign of the United Arab Emirates and considered as one of the Gulf countries. The name ‘Kuwait’ came from the Arabic â€Å"akwat†, the plural of â€Å"kout†, which denotes ‘fortress built near water’. The emirate has the population of 3. 4 million situated in its 20,000 square kilometers geographical area. During the 19th century, Kuwait came under the power of the Ottoman Empire and after the World War I, it became known as an autonomous sheikhdom under the defense of the British Empire. It was in the late 1930s that Kuwait’s large oil fields were discovered. Kuwait has a parliamentary system of government, under a constitutional monarchy with Kuwait City as the center of all political and economic activities. The country is the world’s fifth producer oil reserves and petroleum and petroleum products which account for its almost 95% export revenues, and 80% of government income. Based in per capita Kuwait is the eleventh richest country in the world. In addition, it has the highest human development index (HDI) in the Arab world. World Bank classified Kuwait as a high income economy. It is also designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, because of its close recent political and financial ties and affinities with the latter. Majority of the Kuwait’s population are Muslim and practices Islam as their religion, though it has a huge community of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. Islam means peace, love, and complete submission and obedience to God. Being a Muslin means accepting Islam and living a life in accordance to its teachings as well as setting as an example to other Muslims. Instead of the common greetings of â€Å"good morning† or â€Å"hello†, Muslims greet each other by saying â€Å"Assalamo Alaikum†, which stands for â€Å"May peace be upon you and may God blessings be with you†. It is the mission of every Muslim uttering these words to multiply love and peace anywhere one goes. Muslims pray five (5) times a day and normally clean their bodies before praying. In the analysis using Hofstede’s five model dimensions, religion plays a significant role the lives of its people. High power distance and uncertainty avoidance are evident attributes in this nation just like any other Arab countries. Leaders do not mix themselves into the group and usually issue detailed and particular orders. It follows a caste system and does not allow major upward mobility of its people. In order to reduce the amount of ambiguity, detailed rules, laws, regulations and controls are implemented. Discrimination in terms of influence and affluence has been consented to flourish within the society and is acknowledged by the population as their cultural legacy. Therefore, leaders can easily enforce their leadership and control which usually resorts to uprising to attain democratic change. Masculinity is on the average, evidenced by limited rights of women in Kuwait society, which again could be credited to the Muslim religion rather than its cultural pattern. Individualism is low, which translates into collectivist culture as noticeable in a close-commitment to the member ‘group’ like the family, extended family, or extended relationships. Loyalty is vital in a collectivist society which overrides all other rules. In Kuwait, visitors are expected to be reserved, though does not pertain to clothing especially for foreigners. Regardless of the climate, most of the body must stay covered. For men, it is a requirement to wear a jacket and tie during business conferences. They should also be dressed in long pants and a shirt favorably long-sleeved and fastened up top the collar. There must be noticeable jewels specifically around the neck. Women must also be conservative especially in public. The necklines must be high, at least to the elbows, while hemlines must be ankle-low or below the knee. Pants are not advisable and scarf must be handy especially when going inside a Mosque. Too much appreciation of an item must be avoided, because the host might become compelled to grant said item. Rejection to accept the gift is impolite and rude. Receiving gifts must be done in public. Gifts such as alcohol, perfumes containing alcohol, pork, pigskin products, personal items such as underwear, knives, toy dogs or pictures of dog and image of nude or partially nude women should no be given to anyone in Kuwait. When going inside buildings it is proper to remove ones shoes. Muslims do not eat pork and drink alcohol. Grasping each other’s right hand putting the left on the other’s right shoulder and exchanging kisses on each cheek is the traditional greetings between men. Men may shake hands with women, but the latter must wait for the first to offer his hand. The left hand is regarded as dirty and must be set aside for personal hygiene.