Kuwait Culture

Assignment #2 – Team and Cultural Experience

Report

Our team is composed of diverse members who have different nationality, gender, age, and grown environment. Above table shows each member’s five priorities for life. So we approached based on these different traits to know similarities and differences among members. There are 4 common priorities which all members have such as Happiness, Family, Health, and Friendship. It means our team members put very highly value on these four priorities similarly. At first, all members put Health within top 3 priority. Health is indispensable value for everyone. In terms of Friendship, it is in 4th and 5th priority of each member. Family is also precious value that all members think importantly. But when we see Happiness, it is applied to only Koreans. The average rank of Happiness of Korean students is 1.6, and that could mean Korea society needs happiness. So We guess the reasons would be bad surrounding environments like unemployment, academic stress, and frequent firm restructuring. And Askat who only has different nationality considers peace importantly. It is totally different with Koreans, and it might the result of difference of grown environment. In terms of gender, all Men of our team prefer Wealth commonly, but a woman, HyeMin, consider Achievement importantly rather than Wealth.

Through this process, we can know that there are some differences between team members according to many personal traits. Of course, though most things are similar, we should consider other’s position to communicate with each other well.  

1. Country :  Kuwait
2. Kuwait Culture

• When you have a meeting with Kuwaiti, please don’t sit showing bottom of your shoe.
• Historically, Kuwait remains on the right side of Iraq. And please do not talk about Iraq-friendly subject.
• Do not talk about religion and his wife. And do not buy a present for someone’s wife or female family member and don’t take a picture female’s picture in the street.
• They have a tea-time what they call “Diwaniya”. During Ramadan, They have a tea-time at midnight in their wild living room. Until twilight, they digress themselves with snacks, cookies and teas. If you are a male, then you can join anytime. So you can use this time very useful
• Since Kuwaitis prefer to do business with those with whom they have a personal relationship, they spend a great deal of time on the getting-to-know-you process.
• In Kuwait, many businessmen prefer to meet in the early evening. Business will only be discussed once an atmosphere of trust and friendship has been established.
• Problems may be discussed outside the meeting in a one-on-one situation rather than in the group meeting room
• Don’t offer alcoholic drinks to an Arab, unless you’re certain that he drinks alcohol. This can cause great offence.
• Don’t beckon to people with a finger, as this is considered particularly impolite. Arabs might use such a gesture to summon a dog.
• If both sexes are included, they may be entertained in separate rooms, although this is not always the case. . Eat only with the right hand.

1. Affection & filial duty

Nowadays, Although it has been decreasing, Affection culture is still widespread in Korea. Tracing back to the Joseon Dynasty period, they helped each other and they cried and laughed together according to the Confucianism. For example, Filial duty is kinds of Affection culture. It is taken for granted to support their parents faithfully and act politely when elder people are with older people .Unlike Korean’s culture, In west, Relatively they highly regard individualism than community spirit. So it is good for them to let them know about affection culture.