"I enjoy living in Kuwait. I feel like I'm treated exceptionally well by most people. If I wasn't happy I wouldn't stay here. There are some negative things that have happened to me here but it also happens when I'm in the US or travel abroad. I was surprised to hear how some of my friends were treated while living in Kuwait. This hasn't happened to me and I feel guilty sometimes that I get treated so well. Most locals guess that I am Swedish, Dutch or German. When I tell them I am American they usually say they love America. I have experienced people attempting to skip me in line and that ticks me off." - ME
"When I'm at the mall in Kuwait I'm often treated like a third class citizen. They try to skip me in line and one guy grabbed me on the escalator. I was called a maid more than once and they always think I'm a Filipino. I'm proud to be an American of Chinese heritage. There is racism everywhere in the world but I've never experienced anything like this! I will finish my contract and go home." - T
Proud to be American ~ what a cutie pie
"I get the maid comments all the time. They think I am from India instead of Texas. I'm not only American but I'm in the US Army Reserve. Indian men approach me all the time at the Co-op and try to flirt. One guy crossed the line and I had to call security. I'm scared to take a taxi for fear I could be sold into a brothel. I never go out alone and it's not fair how other Westerners are treated when they have light colored hair and blue eyes. They are free to go anywhere at any time. My parents are from Trinidad so I don't look like what Kuwaitis think Americans should look like. When I’m not at work I can’t go anywhere without an escort. I miss that freedom from back home." - M
Are Westerners worshiped here?
Do Westerners receive better treatment in Kuwait? This may seem like a simple question but the answer may not be so simple. Unless we try to explain how true such a statement is, then any replay may not be accurate or fair.
I have received this question on several occasions, either as a complaint or as an opinion, by numerous Asians and Arabs. How true is this statement? What do Westerners have that makes them earn more privileges? Is it fair to generalize this thinking to all Westerners here? This topic had lingered in my mind for some time and I tried to be fair about this topic by talking to lots of people about this matter. I even talked to some Westerners in order to know exactly what they think about this matter?
We have to realize that Westerners come from civilized countries. Their countries don't send them to an unknown place without being aware where, what and how much they will get in return. Their countries care about the welfare of every single citizen abroad and their embassies usually stay alert to assist and serve them in case of emergencies.
Westerners enjoy lots of facilities in their accommodations, they enjoy family affairs and they are even in contact with the local police and various authorities here in Kuwait. This is a common feeling, but why is that, and do they deserve this?
Khalil, a Kuwaiti man who runs a construction company in Kuwait, has some Western employees. He had an interesting view and he admitted that he gave special treatment to his Western employees but not because of their white skin or blue eyes, but because of their good work ethic. "UK or US citizens will not leave their countries unless they are certain that they will get paid double abroad. They ask about their accommodation arrangements and transportation before coming to Kuwait," Khalil noted
Khalil pointed out that they (Westerners) don't need training over fluency in foreign languages or typing and don't mind long hours of work. He said that is why they deserve better treatment because they are hard working and know what to do.
But an Asian lady sent me an email with an opposite view saying that in Kuwait, Westerners receive better treatment and enjoy many facilities which they don't deserve. She also said that countries like the US or the UK usually provide better lifestyles and career choices so why would these people leave their homeland to come to Kuwait. She noted that maybe these Westerners couldn't make it in their own country, thus they came here.
So for this lady, the Westerners that come to Kuwait are Westerners that are unable to find a job in their homeland and seek other opportunities here. Their white skin is their ticket to good jobs here and their nationality helps them to enjoy many privileges which they could never get if they were Arabs or Asians.
American expatriates who are Mexican in origin had an interesting view over this matter. One American man of Mexican descent stated, "White Americans are treated better here in Kuwait. I'm an American but I look like an Arab so I 'm constantly checked at checkpoints. But if my (white) co-workers are driving, we are waived through the check points. If I am with a female, I 'm considered to be an Arab with a female which is illegal. But if my white American friends are with females, the police just smile and let them through. So yes, I agree that most white Americans have it made a lot better here in Kuwait.
I believe that most Westerners here respect the country's laws and regulations rather than other nationalities, including many Kuwaiti citizens. Those who break the law usually admit to their mistakes and it seems normal to ask their embassy for support instead of trying to get a wasta (influential backer) to cover up their crimes or blame their crimes on others.
In conclusion, I believe most Westerners occupy a certain post not because of their green or blue eyes, blonde hair and white skin, but because of their talent and strong work ethic.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NDgwOTIwMDk5
