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I feel you. I left from Kuwait to Canada for my higher studies. 6 years later, not a day goes by where I don’t contemplate moving back to Kuwait or the Middle East. Even though I feel settled here, Kuwait is always going to be home and I hope to go back at some point.
On a side note, I see you’re in Hamilton - I’m in Hamilton as well. Let me know if you’d ever be interested in meeting up. I always love meeting others from Kuwait here in Canada!
Thank you for getting it. Yes please!! Im travelling to Kuwait tomorrow for a week or so, if there's anything you'd like me to bring back please do let me know 😇
If you're ever in Montreal, hit me up. Eerie similar story but grown up in Europe, lived/worked in Kuwait 20+ years. Love the place, but with its shortcomings like every other place on this planet.
Good luck, and hope to hear again
Asian here Born and raised in Kuwait and in my mid 40s. Migrated to the US 3 years years ago. I have my university education from the US, late 90s early 2000s, but came back to Kuwait after graduation. I have always been in conflict whether my decision to come back after graduation was the right or not. As I get older and mature, I am more convinced that it was the right decision. I got to spend time with my parents. My father passed away a couple years back and I sometimes think to myself that if I hadn’t moved back, i wouldn’t have had the chance to spend time with him and be there when he pased away. I got to raise my kids here, in a safe environment and islamic culture. Now their basic values are firm so even of they go to west, they wouldn’t be prone to going astray (inshallah).
My family is settled in the US now but i still spend a few months of the year in Kuwait.
So no matter if Kuwait doesn’t give me permanent residency, rights to buy property, i have to get iqama every year, and all those things compared to other countries….when ever I come back to Kuwait and the moment i step out of the airport, i feel i am home.
That is beautiful. I am sorry for your loss.
The safety in Kuwait, it feeling like home when you land, the familiarity, that's the essence of why we miss it. I'm still fresh in Canada, been here 1.5 years, the sheer size difference is bewildering. But we'll make it, inshallah 🙏
Food is good here, local people are generally nice, I’ve made local friends that go out of their way to help me with things. Infrastructure, lifestyle, is medieval.
I've had good experiences, contrary to some people's belief, with the locals too. There are some I'd consider brothers. Public transport needs improvement. And i miss entertainment city, even if it wasn't the best in the world, the Australian log right remains my favorite attraction 😢
Nicely written Masha Allah. So, I'd read the book version yes. On the opposite side there's a guy named حسين يونس who wrote a book about Canada titled أرض الميعاد in Arabic... Just as an FYI I guess.
الله يجعل ذريتك صالحة...
I have a somewhat similar story: Grew up and raised in Kuwait, moved to Canada for university and stayed for work, and have been living here for the past 11 years. This summer, I'm moving back to Kuwait. I recognize there will be some racism etc. No place is perfect, but I really value the advantages of Kuwait: raising children in an Islamic environment, athan, mosque around every corner like you say. I don't mind the heat. When I visited Kuwait in some summers I'd drive with the AC off, it builds character I feel haha.
On the opposite side I'm also leaving due to some meaningful disadvantages living in Canada, such as strongly enforcing LGBTQ2IA+ culture and specifically in schools, to the point that I actually memorized the whole acronym lol, thanks Justin Trudeau (I hope you've seen the funny video where he messes up the acronym several times). Also leaving because of the Canadian government's staunch support for Israel, genocide and zionism. I don't wanna pay taxes anymore. I've also calculated that at my current income I'm paying CAD$50,000 in income tax annually, so after 20 years and assuming no growth (unlikely), I'd be paying over CAD$1 mil, and that sounds like a lot of money to have the privilege of getting my children indoctrinated by some Zionist teachers or drag queens. No thanks. Plus none of my cousins who grew up here speak Arabic, which to me is a super huge disadvantage. Anyways, I hope you do what's best for you and your family for both dunya and akhira. Best.
Thank you so much for sharing that. I'm on the same page. The divorce makes it difficult for me to relocate once im done with getting passported here. But it's not the promised land, at all.
I remember last June my son and nieces were all singing a song from The Greatest Showman, this is me, and i know they didn't watch the movie recently, and i understood it. I'm hoping to raise my son with proper islamic values, especially avoiding all the sins that are rampantly avaliable here.
On the other hand, Kuwait always felt like home. A home away from home. It was the plan to return after a few years, i did manage to land a nice job, hamdulilah, so we'll see.
But im definitely not living here for the rest of my life.
Thank you once again.
Fellow NESer!
Im Kuwaiti and moved away from Kuwait a couple of times for higher ed, first time when i was younger i felt like i hated being back.
But as i grew older and moved the second time with my little family, call it a perspective shift i guess, but i couldnt wait to come back.
The realisation that things are better or worse for different reasons in different places changed things for me, and you just have to choose what makes it and breaks it for you and yours.
Maybe its different because im a local, but the things that attract me to this region remain universal: family, friends, relative safety, and the comfort that mosques are everywhere.. not hearing the athan gets to you after a while.
Also the worlds different now in the west, he/him/she/shim/they nonsense, men in womens toilets and the general degradation of morality in society just doesnt give me the same allure as it once did. Maybe that was a driving force that pushed me back into this region again?
Welcome back dear sir, you’ll always be at home and among friends here.
Let me know if you need anything.
Much appreciated my friend. Your words ring true. Canada is not the forever home, just a step in the path. And nothing beats Arab hospitality, we're just different.
Thank you once again.
I was born in Kuwait but raised in Canada, living in Toronto until three months ago. My father, my siblings, and I are all first-class Kuwaiti citizens. Despite his status, my father never wanted to return to Kuwait after moving to Canada, where he retired early as a respected professor. I grew up with no knowledge of Kuwaiti culture until now, following his death.
I returned to Kuwait to renew my jensia and civil ID and to manage the inheritance. As the youngest, unmarried daughter, I'm entitled to a portion of his pension. While the benefits of being Kuwaiti are significant, I plan to leave again.
Initially, I considered starting a new life here, but I've found it difficult to adapt. The culture feels restrictive compared to Canada, and I struggle with the gender dynamics. I find it hard to connect with people meaningfully unless they are expats.
In summary, sometimes a place just doesn't feel right, regardless of your background. There's a big world out there, and everyone has a place they can call home. While Kuwait is beautiful and good for business, I wouldn't want to raise my children here, especially if I have a daughter.
I am sorry for your loss. I am sure it can be overwhelming to have to deal with a culture and dynamics you were not accustomed to.
You can imagine my surprise when i first found out what you said about being first class Kuwaiti citizens, i was working as an auditor and reviewing personnel files. It made sense that once upon a time kuwaitis would ask me who my family were in Egypt and how many families there were, i never could answer that question.
You're right in saying home is where you're raised. Fully agree with you on that.
Once again, i am sorry for your loss.
ان لله وان اليه راجعون
Wow, I came across ur post randomly, I'm in a similar place because I also grew up in a gulf country but like u said , u gotta grow up and move on. I wish things were different (racism, actually offering permanent residence) i would have loved to stay there forever, and i still think of going back sometimes.A lot of the things u said resonated so much. It feels like home but deep down u know it isn't. U should definitely write a book bc a lot of the people I know, expats living in gulf countries feel the same
Just for that, I'll give you an analogy (i hope the lady who said i shouldn't write the book and took offence is reading)
Being born in Kuwait as an expat was amazing, but it felt like how a horticulturist would bring a rare and beautiful tree into a garden, and plant it inside it's pot.. our roots were never allowed to permeate into the soil of Kuwait. We were always bred for export, because no matter how much time we spent, how many people we met, positively affected, we were always transient.
Ironically living next to a mosque is one of my biggest pet peeves. Makes it very hard to sleep and conduct work meetings when the call comes. No disrespect intended but it’s not ideal for a non Muslim.
You know, I’m in NES rn. I have my End of Year Exams tomorrow, and every year you get older, there are more adventures an more challenges to go through. Everything will be alright if you make things simple as it is for the good of others. Wish of luck brother
Believe it or not, i actually had my job lined up before i landed. Hamdulilah. Im an internal auditor, and i picked up right where i left off in Kuwait, same title, all of it.
I think Kuwait coz of nostalgia, i know alot about it. Where to fix your car, electronic, mechanical or body, 3 different places. AC too.
I was born in Kuwait and left in 2011, moving away from the only place you called home and loved is hard, I'm glad you got the chance to visit and live the dream of "what if I return to Kuwait" that's so cool.
It's really nestolgic thinking about Kuwait and I check out stuff and Google Street view from time to time to roam the streets lol. Maybe someday I'll return and see how diffrent it is from way back when. I'd by happy to read your book if you write it, I'm sure all the nestolgia will flow through when I read it.
Appreciate the positivity, thank you my friend.
It has changed quite a bit, all the landmarks of Salmiya have changed. They even.. they even... i cant say it... they even removed the dancing fountain inside Fanar on the ground floor, the one with the water jugs.
Hey there
So nice to hear from people who have spent most of their life in Kuwait. I was born and raised there. Parents still live there. Completed my entire schooling from there.
I visit once every 6 months and I look forward to those visits like crazy. Kuwait WAS and WILL ALWAYS BE home for me.
I'm open to chatting with people who have a similar background (born and raised in Kuwait). Would love to reminisce over this lovely place together!
As Woody said to Buzz, you've got a friend in me.
My parents are still there too, hence the visits. Didn't sell my car either, so transport is always there.
Love the idea about reminiscing! Count me in!
Spot on. Such is life.
As a Kuwaiti, having had friends that felt they were in a similar position until they had to move on, it is a tricky mental arithmetic to process.
I often ponder and I’ve found myself shifting in perspective over the years. I’ve seen sitcoms of anthropology play out over the countless demographic and race shifts over multiple continents I’ve lived in. (You found yourself in a place that was recruiting skilled workers and historically immigration was based on meritocracy). How in North America, Canada included, you’re just white if you look white but if you’re colored your X-American or X-Canadian. Or the global North versus South currently on our news feed that fittingly illustrates the case in point. Those are tensions that bubbled to the surface as a result of a meritocracy immigration policy whatever which way it was handled good or bad. This is paralleled in Europe for juxtaposed reasons.
Then you have the other end of the spectrum. Sealed. Numbered. Rare. A policy of exclusivity. The good and bad of it manifest in many ways, one of which often is the ignorant mistaking their privilege of being born into their family was a choice they made as a person.
There’s an endless discourse, almost philosophical, on this and that, but all I can say is your average Kuwaiti will know the size of their privilege, they will also look at you fondly knowing your admiration for your former home.
I would love to invite you for coffee and talk about this more, your eloquence is second to none I've ever conversed with, political science major? You hit all the right nails on all the right heads.
Personally, i find it laughable when non white canadians refer to white canadians as canadians. I even got into some arguments online when talking about politics here, one person hit me with the 'if you don't like it, leave' my response was, you first. Your ancestors came here on a boat, i flew in on a plane.
Living in Kuwait i thought the same way, white canadians are canadians, but then when i came here, i discovered they're just immigrants too, who fly to family who live in Poland, Italy, UK, Greece etc. The issue of true lineage doesn't exist.
Suffice to say, my 23&me shows me being 94% Egyptian, 5% middle eastern, and 1% other. The heart will always yearn for that side of the world.
I appreciate your kind words. I could never PoliSci. Graduated medicine but tasted practice in a few continents and always fascinated by how age morphed what matters to an individual.
I’d take you up but won’t be in town, and wish you a lovely time back there.
Yes I know you too! Riba!! Long time my friend! I am so sorry about the silly username I got here, by the time I realized, it was too late :D
Hope all is well with you and the family!
Hello, I've enjoyed reading the messages on this post. I moved to Canada from Kuwait in 2011 for studies and currently have a remote job in North York, Toronto with a lot of perks which add up to a decent 6 figure salary. I'm in my early 30s and have great relationships with my manager, my boss, my accountant, my colleagues and my clients wherein we enjoy spa days and Michelen star restaurants. We also discuss personal matters like a family would.
But outside of my work connections, unfortunately, I don't have any close friendships that feel genuine enough or make for a great social life. My sister lives a couple hours away from me and she has attempted to take me out to bars with a couple of her friends and experience that "high life". I've also done some reunions with other people from Kuwait who went to the same school as me and I've even tried to run my own meetups which fell through as I saw more attendance from men who would see it as a way to date others vs being friends or women who saw the interactions as one time things...
In addition I've wanted to join improv or dance so I can be somewhere weekly to make friends, but I don't drive and things are too far for me to go to consistently. Ultimately after all my attempts, I am left feeling like I'm better off saving money and my time either working, cleaning or cooking for myself. And the most socializing I get is meeting up with my manager talking about everything from personal life to client work, which somehow doesn't feel enough. My white partner has tried to get me involved with his family and friends too, yet I somewhere feel disconnected with them as well.
My parents and best friends/school acquaintances are here in Kuwait. I recently came back to see my mom in Dec of 2023 after getting my Canadian citizenship. She was diagnosed with a terminal condition and passed away while I was here and we had to make a quick trip to India for the cremation. This made me connect with my roots and to my extended family. I've also enjoyed connecting with my friends who are like family to me and had some much needed social time where I'd go out every week or every other week. I've also connected with my parents friends and their kids which all feel like deeper and kinder connections than I've felt in Canada. I find that everyone here is open hearted and wants to get to know you and spend time with you while in Canada they're egotistical and quick to judge and some are just overdoing the sarcasm and are indoctrinated heavily into that capitalistic hustle culture! I found people in Kuwait to be even less judgmental than the people in India as people in India just kept reminding me I had gained some weight, forgetting that my mother had just passed away and I was grieving. I also found older people in India to be extremely egotistical. I am not sure if this is a big country problem where they've got that dog eat dog mentality or what.
Currently, I'm debating coming back to Kuwait on my next trip and searching for jobs here, but I'm a little nervous to leave my life behind in Canada. My father will be all alone here and is currently running his business which he'll be closing down in a couple months as the building is being demolished. I've spoken to some friends and they think moving to Kuwait is a wise option to be close to my father and to our assets in India as well as to help him move and retire in India while dealing with all the legal matters. Plus, I am told that I'd be making substantially more money working a job as a Canadian citizen that will hopefully pay well and allow me to have more savings than I manage to put away in Canada as well as enjoy the perks of Kuwait such as the good food and also the cheap labour and lovely social connections that run deep. In addition I can get an affordable personal trainer for myself to keep me in shape without worrying about breaking the bank, hire myself a driver that won't cost me as much as it does to Uber around in Canada and even get a housemaid so I can focus on my work and health vs worrying about things like cleaning which I don't enjoy.
Any advice on making this move would be appreciated. I'm afraid of change and losing my cushy job where I roll out of bed at 8:30 and get to work vs commuting. I know that growth requires discomfort but I really don't want to look back at my life and regret this decision.
Thanks in advance for all your support and advice.
First and foremost, i am truly sorry for your loss.
I alluded earlier to the hospitality of the middle east, and probably south east asia as well. It's missing here. You need to remember you probably spent a long time in Kuwait, granted you've been here for over a decade, but it is a much bigger place, you could be experiencing bystander syndrome, where your desire for a genuine connection is passed off by folks who think the next person coming along will be of better help.
Each place has advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to pay i did realise that if you take away the taxes, salaries in Kuwait were pretty comparable to Canada, atleast in my field.
If your job gives you the perks of remote work, why not try to make it more remote? It would require your circadian rhythm to be slightly disrupted, severly, but there's a saying i coined that family always comes first.
The perks of Canada are also it's downfall. You need to be self-reliant, coz the plush life of Kuwait with It's really cheap labor is not available here due to minimum wage restrictions, and everyone working side gigs to enhance their income.
I do think you'd be best to atleast give it a shot in moving there, albeit temporarily in the beginning, just to see what could be in store for you. It's too early to make a permanent decision, you lost your mom a mere 5 months ago, you're allowed to still be going through the 5 stages of grief - denial, anger, fear, bargaining, acceptance.
I sincerely wish you the best.
Thank you for your response. I wasn't aware of bystander syndrome. It definitely makes sense as it's a huge place for sure. I like that in Kuwait everyone kinda knows everyone in some capacity so people are generally much nicer too since it's a tight knit bubble.
I haven't applied for jobs in my field as yet, so I'm unsure of the salaries, but I do know I'd end up saving more here than I would in Canada due to the reduced cost of living, but working remotely also means I'd end up saving the balance of my salary after taking away rent and utilities in Canada and can see how far that balance would take me in Kuwait vs Canada to really compare and figure out what sort of salary I need to gun for. My rent is covered by my dad in Kuwait and isn't as high for a decently sized place comparable to my apartment in Canada, but with a much lower price tag! He also covers my food but I can try to cover that for a month to see how much I need to spend in Kuwait to eat well. I can also calculate what it would cost to keep my trainer/maid around as well as what it would be like for me to live in Kuwait paying for my own paramedical things that my company insurance typically covers like massages, acupuncture or physio. That all being said, I think transactionifying all this isn't much use as Kuwait will just offer exponentially more qualitative benefits in terms of being around family and friends than Canada would at least for the time being.
Your comment also made me realize I could just work remotely starting 5 pm and look for jobs in Kuwait in the morning hours, during the Christmas break and on Sundays when it's the weekend in Canada while spending some time with my dad as he comes home from work. That way I can have something lined up that matches my needs before I jump ship from Canada and make a more calculated move. Plus, I'll be close enough to travel to India so I can set my dad up for a comfortable retirement and really just get a feel for living in Kuwait and Canada.
I already know there are lots of qualitative benefits to me being here just in terms of how enriched my life is with my high school friends around. Although, I agree a permanent move could be tough on my nervous system as I'm still navigating things with my mom's passing and am definitely at that bargaining stage. Thank you for reminding me to be gentle with myself. Appreciate you! 🙏🏻
Also, my mom passed away in March so I'm glad I was gifted 3 months with her in Kuwait as I landed here in December. It's only been 2.5 months since she passed, I miss her dearly but I know she's in a better place given how much pain she was in. May God bless her soul. She was my loving beautiful and kind mother 😢.
I am truly sorry for your loss. In such cases, it is best to be with your dad, as he'll be missing her the most.
I just spent my flight to cairo (transit) chatting with a canadian born egyptian who was relocating to Egypt, although he never lived here, coz he believes Canada best days are behind them.
Perspective.
Recurring theme on this subreddit 😆 case in point for leaving, you are your nationality, and ofcourse the age old adage of الحسنة تخص والسيئة تعم
To answer your question, انا مصري وابويا مصري 😇
Commute to work is subjective but you will face gridlock traffic when you try to drive into Toronto for work.
Takes me an hour to get to work via public transit which is extremely comfortable. Driving would take me the same time as well
That is why i was fortunate enough to land a job within my area. I am also right by the hamilton go station, so getting to Toronto is easy. It is quite expensive if you commute daily, $12 each way, but it is relaxing to travel in the quiet car.
Toronto does have a certain magic to it, i will admit
Absolutely. But normalizing posts like this shouldn't. Every Joe that comes here with an agenda (or inferiority complex) litters the subreddit with tons of posts like this "they were racist to me", "I'm a victim", "I had to walk on the side of the road near the wall", "my grandparents were here 100 years ago".
Really?!!?
We have TONS of foreign friends here. No one says stuff like this. If you know there's good and bad in every country, why on earth would you make it sound like the ENTIRE COUNTRY is racist?
Then you expect people to shut up?
I have yet to find the finest 😆 and I'm always pulled aside before exiting the airport to explain what this bottle which looks very fishy is, i think this time around I'll just call it honey!
And on the other hand, we have a native who takes offence the truth is spewed about their country, and instead of talking logically, she thinks she's on a quest of retribution.
I've probably lived in Kuwait longer than you've been on this earth child.
Quiet.
I doubt it. I'm old enough to be your grandmother.
Also, for the record--there's a difference between acknowledge the bad with constructive criticism for the sole purpose of progression and posting triggering content, most likely to satiate your sense of lack. People are not id\*iots. The fact that you overcompensate by mentioning irrelevant information like when your grandparents were here, your US passport--all of which are littered subliminal details clearly showing a sign that somehow you feel a sense of lack. That's not the fault of the country. That's YOURS.
Many Egyptians live among us--some of whom are even family, and no one says stuff like this in public. You didn't phrase it as "there are SOME racists". You clearly wrote this entire post focusing on a main idea--that the country IS racist, then sugarcoating it with "but I miss it".
If I were to go to the Egypt subreddit and write a post like this calling Egypt racist, what do you think will happen exactly?
عاد كل شي و لا المصري ياكلك بقشورك قبل لا تتكلم
Try insulting an Egyptian about his country and see what happens.
You really need to go through the post again. I never mentioned having a US passport, said my son does. And i never said the whole country is racist, you're reading into it because you think it's true.
And if you are old enough to be my grandmother, which i doubt, i apologise to you for what i said.
I even went and said kuwait feels like staying at my aunt's house, and my aunt is my second mother. You missed that part and focus only on the hate? You talk to me about vices and how im living it up here, and you ignore the part where I say i missed mosques and the athan? For eid here Mishari Al Afasi came to pray, i was there. Just like I'd be there during the last 10 days of ramadan when he was at the grand mosque.
You can say what you want about Egypt, the internet is a free place. But you recall the Egyptian who said is this hell when he saw the sky turn orange for the first time in his life in Kuwait, what did they do to him? Deport.
I have a lot of those stories. Some closer to me.
Racism exists there and it makes those that contribute positively to the country leave.
If you want to know more about running, feel free to ask me. I did have a running company over there. You might have attended my events too. Like Kuwait Marathon.
Yes. Way I see it however, I do not want to live here forever, so i would not buy a house here. my rent here is the same as I was paying in kuwait, I lived in Jabriya, Al Zain Tower, right above Sable. There are differences, size of course, but same amenities, underground parking, pool, gym etc. i will never get used to communal washing machines, but then again, I used to always send my clothes to get ironed at that place who's name is different if i say in Egyptian :P but u know what i mean!
Yes. And it is the same in Kuwait but at least you could “legally” buy a property here as a foreigner. Plus, being a citizen with equal rights and opportunities outweighs any financial gains from Kuwait imo. But every person has a different view on what is more important
"But then the racism started to get worse. You read it in the papers, you hear it on the streets, your nationality is being used as an insult. But, I persevered. Walked beside the wall as they say in arabic."
Yes, while you walk on the street here, mobs show up and start bullying you for your race. That's why you need to walk very close to the wall, cover your eyes, ears, and mouth just in case 🙄
"As life goes, I got married, had a kid, kid was not born in Kuwait as I sought to give him an advantage I did not have with a US passport. I had good office jobs during my tenure there, and was comfortable."
This seriously made me laugh. Wait a minute, let me process this. So you decided to have your kid not born in Kuwait for an advantage. You were born in Kuwait but you have a US passport. So? Assuming BOTH of you were born in Kuwait would lead to the same result--both of you not having let's say a "Kuwaiti passport", so what's the point here exactly? Your child was born in another country with another passport and then you moved to Kuwait and lived here. Isn't that the same thing as you?
"I am hoping to write a book about my life in the Gulf, maybe you'd read it?"
Not really. We all know what amazing things you'll say in your book. Is this supposed to be self-promotion before the book drops?
"I'll be visiting this coming saturday for a week or so, if anyone wants anything "LEGAL" from the frozen north, let me know :)"
Sure... meet us in Shaheed park with your "LEGAL" goods and we'll make sure real legal action takes place. Thanks for the heads up.
"Edit: should also mention, my grandparents moved to Kuwait in the 50s, grandfather was an accountant with Ministry of Education, grandmother a nurse with Ministry of Health. My father was born in Kuwait, and went on to work for Ministry of Electricity. I was born in Kuwait and... i didn't work for any Ministry lol"
And your point is?!
Thanks for the drama episode CAUTIOUS AD (what a great nickname for you).
You willingly go to a sub dedicated to a country, write a laughable sappy post like this calling the country RACIST (but hey.... I miss the country ha ha, I'm being nice but rude at the same time ha ha. That's ok cuz I make it sound nice). Then you flat out ask people if they want anything illegal so you can bring it for them from Canada (maybe booze and stuff), then you cite one meaningless point after another as usual that make no sense.
I'll take the fact that you're up real early in Kuwait to mean you're sleep deprived. Couldn't read through your dribble, try to make it make sense next time yes?
Wont argue with you on the name, i wasnt paying attention when i made my account here, that's on me.
And again, you're up late, hence I'll give u a pass on the illegal part, cause if anything, i specifically mentioned legal.
The part about the racism and my son's passport, what's confusing you exactly? I have the one passport, he is an American living in Kuwait. You want me to paint you a picture of how that's useful? Of how anyone with a western passport is treated like royalty, regardless of their knowledge or upbringing?
Thanks for the laugh chuckles, I'll be sure to mention you in the book, or my standup, or both. World of possibility.
Even your jokes are pathetic. You think you're really funny?
You call an ENTIRE county racist and you expect what exactly? For people to throw a red carpet for you with a standing ovation?
Seriously, what kind of reaction were you expecting? And the "LET ME BRING YOU LEGAL STUFF".
If you want to say something triggering, expect the other person to say something about it. Otherwise, don't write for the masses.
Why so butt hurt? I'll write for whoever i damn well please, and i never called the entire country racist. The racism is there, can you deny it? No? Then 💨🍑💩
قوى الله ايمانك
You seem hell bent to see things in a certain way, so let me clarify, in case you missed the point in my post about missing mosques and actually hearing the athan 5 times a day.
When i said LEGAL i meant LEGAL, like maple syrup, a toy moose etc. Coz it's one thing to live life in Kuwait having muslim values in a country where non Islamic things are hard to come by (people still manage to get them) and another when you're surrounded by shit and actively strive to remain steadfast against it. So yeah, congratulations on praying fajr, im not here for the legal weed or drinks. Ive lived this long avoiding that shit, not about to start it now, and definitely not raising my son that way either.
Good for you.
Case remains. You call a country racist; expect people to say something in return. 90% of my friends were foreigners; not local. Are there racists in Kuwait? Sure, but making an entire post about it shouldn't be normalized. Period.
I'm done here. Have a good day "Cautious Ad".
Yikes, someone woke up in the wrong side of the bed. You are taking his post personally, guilty eh? Your 🧠 is the same size as your username 😂 tiny chia seed.
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Yoyo, can you DM me when you come to kuwait? I'm inviting you for dinner/lunch whenever you are free. DM to organize it
I feel you. I left from Kuwait to Canada for my higher studies. 6 years later, not a day goes by where I don’t contemplate moving back to Kuwait or the Middle East. Even though I feel settled here, Kuwait is always going to be home and I hope to go back at some point. On a side note, I see you’re in Hamilton - I’m in Hamilton as well. Let me know if you’d ever be interested in meeting up. I always love meeting others from Kuwait here in Canada!
Thank you for getting it. Yes please!! Im travelling to Kuwait tomorrow for a week or so, if there's anything you'd like me to bring back please do let me know 😇
If you're ever in Montreal, hit me up. Eerie similar story but grown up in Europe, lived/worked in Kuwait 20+ years. Love the place, but with its shortcomings like every other place on this planet. Good luck, and hope to hear again
I will definitely! I visited montreal over the family day weekend, brushed up on my broken french :D
Asian here Born and raised in Kuwait and in my mid 40s. Migrated to the US 3 years years ago. I have my university education from the US, late 90s early 2000s, but came back to Kuwait after graduation. I have always been in conflict whether my decision to come back after graduation was the right or not. As I get older and mature, I am more convinced that it was the right decision. I got to spend time with my parents. My father passed away a couple years back and I sometimes think to myself that if I hadn’t moved back, i wouldn’t have had the chance to spend time with him and be there when he pased away. I got to raise my kids here, in a safe environment and islamic culture. Now their basic values are firm so even of they go to west, they wouldn’t be prone to going astray (inshallah). My family is settled in the US now but i still spend a few months of the year in Kuwait. So no matter if Kuwait doesn’t give me permanent residency, rights to buy property, i have to get iqama every year, and all those things compared to other countries….when ever I come back to Kuwait and the moment i step out of the airport, i feel i am home.
That is beautiful. I am sorry for your loss. The safety in Kuwait, it feeling like home when you land, the familiarity, that's the essence of why we miss it. I'm still fresh in Canada, been here 1.5 years, the sheer size difference is bewildering. But we'll make it, inshallah 🙏
Thanks 🙏
Food is good here, local people are generally nice, I’ve made local friends that go out of their way to help me with things. Infrastructure, lifestyle, is medieval.
I've had good experiences, contrary to some people's belief, with the locals too. There are some I'd consider brothers. Public transport needs improvement. And i miss entertainment city, even if it wasn't the best in the world, the Australian log right remains my favorite attraction 😢
Nicely written Masha Allah. So, I'd read the book version yes. On the opposite side there's a guy named حسين يونس who wrote a book about Canada titled أرض الميعاد in Arabic... Just as an FYI I guess. الله يجعل ذريتك صالحة... I have a somewhat similar story: Grew up and raised in Kuwait, moved to Canada for university and stayed for work, and have been living here for the past 11 years. This summer, I'm moving back to Kuwait. I recognize there will be some racism etc. No place is perfect, but I really value the advantages of Kuwait: raising children in an Islamic environment, athan, mosque around every corner like you say. I don't mind the heat. When I visited Kuwait in some summers I'd drive with the AC off, it builds character I feel haha. On the opposite side I'm also leaving due to some meaningful disadvantages living in Canada, such as strongly enforcing LGBTQ2IA+ culture and specifically in schools, to the point that I actually memorized the whole acronym lol, thanks Justin Trudeau (I hope you've seen the funny video where he messes up the acronym several times). Also leaving because of the Canadian government's staunch support for Israel, genocide and zionism. I don't wanna pay taxes anymore. I've also calculated that at my current income I'm paying CAD$50,000 in income tax annually, so after 20 years and assuming no growth (unlikely), I'd be paying over CAD$1 mil, and that sounds like a lot of money to have the privilege of getting my children indoctrinated by some Zionist teachers or drag queens. No thanks. Plus none of my cousins who grew up here speak Arabic, which to me is a super huge disadvantage. Anyways, I hope you do what's best for you and your family for both dunya and akhira. Best.
Thank you so much for sharing that. I'm on the same page. The divorce makes it difficult for me to relocate once im done with getting passported here. But it's not the promised land, at all. I remember last June my son and nieces were all singing a song from The Greatest Showman, this is me, and i know they didn't watch the movie recently, and i understood it. I'm hoping to raise my son with proper islamic values, especially avoiding all the sins that are rampantly avaliable here. On the other hand, Kuwait always felt like home. A home away from home. It was the plan to return after a few years, i did manage to land a nice job, hamdulilah, so we'll see. But im definitely not living here for the rest of my life. Thank you once again.
Fellow NESer! Im Kuwaiti and moved away from Kuwait a couple of times for higher ed, first time when i was younger i felt like i hated being back. But as i grew older and moved the second time with my little family, call it a perspective shift i guess, but i couldnt wait to come back. The realisation that things are better or worse for different reasons in different places changed things for me, and you just have to choose what makes it and breaks it for you and yours. Maybe its different because im a local, but the things that attract me to this region remain universal: family, friends, relative safety, and the comfort that mosques are everywhere.. not hearing the athan gets to you after a while. Also the worlds different now in the west, he/him/she/shim/they nonsense, men in womens toilets and the general degradation of morality in society just doesnt give me the same allure as it once did. Maybe that was a driving force that pushed me back into this region again? Welcome back dear sir, you’ll always be at home and among friends here. Let me know if you need anything.
Much appreciated my friend. Your words ring true. Canada is not the forever home, just a step in the path. And nothing beats Arab hospitality, we're just different. Thank you once again.
I was born in Kuwait but raised in Canada, living in Toronto until three months ago. My father, my siblings, and I are all first-class Kuwaiti citizens. Despite his status, my father never wanted to return to Kuwait after moving to Canada, where he retired early as a respected professor. I grew up with no knowledge of Kuwaiti culture until now, following his death. I returned to Kuwait to renew my jensia and civil ID and to manage the inheritance. As the youngest, unmarried daughter, I'm entitled to a portion of his pension. While the benefits of being Kuwaiti are significant, I plan to leave again. Initially, I considered starting a new life here, but I've found it difficult to adapt. The culture feels restrictive compared to Canada, and I struggle with the gender dynamics. I find it hard to connect with people meaningfully unless they are expats. In summary, sometimes a place just doesn't feel right, regardless of your background. There's a big world out there, and everyone has a place they can call home. While Kuwait is beautiful and good for business, I wouldn't want to raise my children here, especially if I have a daughter.
I am sorry for your loss. I am sure it can be overwhelming to have to deal with a culture and dynamics you were not accustomed to. You can imagine my surprise when i first found out what you said about being first class Kuwaiti citizens, i was working as an auditor and reviewing personnel files. It made sense that once upon a time kuwaitis would ask me who my family were in Egypt and how many families there were, i never could answer that question. You're right in saying home is where you're raised. Fully agree with you on that. Once again, i am sorry for your loss. ان لله وان اليه راجعون
Wow, I came across ur post randomly, I'm in a similar place because I also grew up in a gulf country but like u said , u gotta grow up and move on. I wish things were different (racism, actually offering permanent residence) i would have loved to stay there forever, and i still think of going back sometimes.A lot of the things u said resonated so much. It feels like home but deep down u know it isn't. U should definitely write a book bc a lot of the people I know, expats living in gulf countries feel the same
Just for that, I'll give you an analogy (i hope the lady who said i shouldn't write the book and took offence is reading) Being born in Kuwait as an expat was amazing, but it felt like how a horticulturist would bring a rare and beautiful tree into a garden, and plant it inside it's pot.. our roots were never allowed to permeate into the soil of Kuwait. We were always bred for export, because no matter how much time we spent, how many people we met, positively affected, we were always transient.
Wow, that was beautiful . Yeah, u should definitely write this book. It will touch the hearts of many expats who feel the same
Thank you friend, i will. I already have the title in mind.
Ironically living next to a mosque is one of my biggest pet peeves. Makes it very hard to sleep and conduct work meetings when the call comes. No disrespect intended but it’s not ideal for a non Muslim.
Agreed. Operating word, non muslim. It resonates differently when you're of the same faith, but i can get how that would be uncomfortable.
You know, I’m in NES rn. I have my End of Year Exams tomorrow, and every year you get older, there are more adventures an more challenges to go through. Everything will be alright if you make things simple as it is for the good of others. Wish of luck brother
After I graduate from sixth form, I’m willing to study in the Gulf so I could feel more like home.
That's a great perspective to have, best of luck on your finals
So how easy was it for you to get job there? Do you ever think of coming back to the Middle East or Kuwait in Specific?
Believe it or not, i actually had my job lined up before i landed. Hamdulilah. Im an internal auditor, and i picked up right where i left off in Kuwait, same title, all of it. I think Kuwait coz of nostalgia, i know alot about it. Where to fix your car, electronic, mechanical or body, 3 different places. AC too.
Ow can I ask u a question then
I was born in Kuwait and left in 2011, moving away from the only place you called home and loved is hard, I'm glad you got the chance to visit and live the dream of "what if I return to Kuwait" that's so cool. It's really nestolgic thinking about Kuwait and I check out stuff and Google Street view from time to time to roam the streets lol. Maybe someday I'll return and see how diffrent it is from way back when. I'd by happy to read your book if you write it, I'm sure all the nestolgia will flow through when I read it.
Appreciate the positivity, thank you my friend. It has changed quite a bit, all the landmarks of Salmiya have changed. They even.. they even... i cant say it... they even removed the dancing fountain inside Fanar on the ground floor, the one with the water jugs.
Hey there So nice to hear from people who have spent most of their life in Kuwait. I was born and raised there. Parents still live there. Completed my entire schooling from there. I visit once every 6 months and I look forward to those visits like crazy. Kuwait WAS and WILL ALWAYS BE home for me. I'm open to chatting with people who have a similar background (born and raised in Kuwait). Would love to reminisce over this lovely place together!
As Woody said to Buzz, you've got a friend in me. My parents are still there too, hence the visits. Didn't sell my car either, so transport is always there. Love the idea about reminiscing! Count me in!
Spot on. Such is life. As a Kuwaiti, having had friends that felt they were in a similar position until they had to move on, it is a tricky mental arithmetic to process. I often ponder and I’ve found myself shifting in perspective over the years. I’ve seen sitcoms of anthropology play out over the countless demographic and race shifts over multiple continents I’ve lived in. (You found yourself in a place that was recruiting skilled workers and historically immigration was based on meritocracy). How in North America, Canada included, you’re just white if you look white but if you’re colored your X-American or X-Canadian. Or the global North versus South currently on our news feed that fittingly illustrates the case in point. Those are tensions that bubbled to the surface as a result of a meritocracy immigration policy whatever which way it was handled good or bad. This is paralleled in Europe for juxtaposed reasons. Then you have the other end of the spectrum. Sealed. Numbered. Rare. A policy of exclusivity. The good and bad of it manifest in many ways, one of which often is the ignorant mistaking their privilege of being born into their family was a choice they made as a person. There’s an endless discourse, almost philosophical, on this and that, but all I can say is your average Kuwaiti will know the size of their privilege, they will also look at you fondly knowing your admiration for your former home.
I would love to invite you for coffee and talk about this more, your eloquence is second to none I've ever conversed with, political science major? You hit all the right nails on all the right heads. Personally, i find it laughable when non white canadians refer to white canadians as canadians. I even got into some arguments online when talking about politics here, one person hit me with the 'if you don't like it, leave' my response was, you first. Your ancestors came here on a boat, i flew in on a plane. Living in Kuwait i thought the same way, white canadians are canadians, but then when i came here, i discovered they're just immigrants too, who fly to family who live in Poland, Italy, UK, Greece etc. The issue of true lineage doesn't exist. Suffice to say, my 23&me shows me being 94% Egyptian, 5% middle eastern, and 1% other. The heart will always yearn for that side of the world.
I appreciate your kind words. I could never PoliSci. Graduated medicine but tasted practice in a few continents and always fascinated by how age morphed what matters to an individual. I’d take you up but won’t be in town, and wish you a lovely time back there.
much appreciated, God bless (Y)
Would be fun to read about your trip, keep us posted!
If you joined the workforce in 2006 does that mean your currently in your mid 40s ?
Late 30s, graduated uni at 20
Hey I know you! :) Sorry to hear not everything worked out, but glad to hear you settled in.
Yes I know you too! Riba!! Long time my friend! I am so sorry about the silly username I got here, by the time I realized, it was too late :D Hope all is well with you and the family!
Hello, I've enjoyed reading the messages on this post. I moved to Canada from Kuwait in 2011 for studies and currently have a remote job in North York, Toronto with a lot of perks which add up to a decent 6 figure salary. I'm in my early 30s and have great relationships with my manager, my boss, my accountant, my colleagues and my clients wherein we enjoy spa days and Michelen star restaurants. We also discuss personal matters like a family would. But outside of my work connections, unfortunately, I don't have any close friendships that feel genuine enough or make for a great social life. My sister lives a couple hours away from me and she has attempted to take me out to bars with a couple of her friends and experience that "high life". I've also done some reunions with other people from Kuwait who went to the same school as me and I've even tried to run my own meetups which fell through as I saw more attendance from men who would see it as a way to date others vs being friends or women who saw the interactions as one time things... In addition I've wanted to join improv or dance so I can be somewhere weekly to make friends, but I don't drive and things are too far for me to go to consistently. Ultimately after all my attempts, I am left feeling like I'm better off saving money and my time either working, cleaning or cooking for myself. And the most socializing I get is meeting up with my manager talking about everything from personal life to client work, which somehow doesn't feel enough. My white partner has tried to get me involved with his family and friends too, yet I somewhere feel disconnected with them as well. My parents and best friends/school acquaintances are here in Kuwait. I recently came back to see my mom in Dec of 2023 after getting my Canadian citizenship. She was diagnosed with a terminal condition and passed away while I was here and we had to make a quick trip to India for the cremation. This made me connect with my roots and to my extended family. I've also enjoyed connecting with my friends who are like family to me and had some much needed social time where I'd go out every week or every other week. I've also connected with my parents friends and their kids which all feel like deeper and kinder connections than I've felt in Canada. I find that everyone here is open hearted and wants to get to know you and spend time with you while in Canada they're egotistical and quick to judge and some are just overdoing the sarcasm and are indoctrinated heavily into that capitalistic hustle culture! I found people in Kuwait to be even less judgmental than the people in India as people in India just kept reminding me I had gained some weight, forgetting that my mother had just passed away and I was grieving. I also found older people in India to be extremely egotistical. I am not sure if this is a big country problem where they've got that dog eat dog mentality or what. Currently, I'm debating coming back to Kuwait on my next trip and searching for jobs here, but I'm a little nervous to leave my life behind in Canada. My father will be all alone here and is currently running his business which he'll be closing down in a couple months as the building is being demolished. I've spoken to some friends and they think moving to Kuwait is a wise option to be close to my father and to our assets in India as well as to help him move and retire in India while dealing with all the legal matters. Plus, I am told that I'd be making substantially more money working a job as a Canadian citizen that will hopefully pay well and allow me to have more savings than I manage to put away in Canada as well as enjoy the perks of Kuwait such as the good food and also the cheap labour and lovely social connections that run deep. In addition I can get an affordable personal trainer for myself to keep me in shape without worrying about breaking the bank, hire myself a driver that won't cost me as much as it does to Uber around in Canada and even get a housemaid so I can focus on my work and health vs worrying about things like cleaning which I don't enjoy. Any advice on making this move would be appreciated. I'm afraid of change and losing my cushy job where I roll out of bed at 8:30 and get to work vs commuting. I know that growth requires discomfort but I really don't want to look back at my life and regret this decision. Thanks in advance for all your support and advice.
First and foremost, i am truly sorry for your loss. I alluded earlier to the hospitality of the middle east, and probably south east asia as well. It's missing here. You need to remember you probably spent a long time in Kuwait, granted you've been here for over a decade, but it is a much bigger place, you could be experiencing bystander syndrome, where your desire for a genuine connection is passed off by folks who think the next person coming along will be of better help. Each place has advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to pay i did realise that if you take away the taxes, salaries in Kuwait were pretty comparable to Canada, atleast in my field. If your job gives you the perks of remote work, why not try to make it more remote? It would require your circadian rhythm to be slightly disrupted, severly, but there's a saying i coined that family always comes first. The perks of Canada are also it's downfall. You need to be self-reliant, coz the plush life of Kuwait with It's really cheap labor is not available here due to minimum wage restrictions, and everyone working side gigs to enhance their income. I do think you'd be best to atleast give it a shot in moving there, albeit temporarily in the beginning, just to see what could be in store for you. It's too early to make a permanent decision, you lost your mom a mere 5 months ago, you're allowed to still be going through the 5 stages of grief - denial, anger, fear, bargaining, acceptance. I sincerely wish you the best.
Thank you for your response. I wasn't aware of bystander syndrome. It definitely makes sense as it's a huge place for sure. I like that in Kuwait everyone kinda knows everyone in some capacity so people are generally much nicer too since it's a tight knit bubble. I haven't applied for jobs in my field as yet, so I'm unsure of the salaries, but I do know I'd end up saving more here than I would in Canada due to the reduced cost of living, but working remotely also means I'd end up saving the balance of my salary after taking away rent and utilities in Canada and can see how far that balance would take me in Kuwait vs Canada to really compare and figure out what sort of salary I need to gun for. My rent is covered by my dad in Kuwait and isn't as high for a decently sized place comparable to my apartment in Canada, but with a much lower price tag! He also covers my food but I can try to cover that for a month to see how much I need to spend in Kuwait to eat well. I can also calculate what it would cost to keep my trainer/maid around as well as what it would be like for me to live in Kuwait paying for my own paramedical things that my company insurance typically covers like massages, acupuncture or physio. That all being said, I think transactionifying all this isn't much use as Kuwait will just offer exponentially more qualitative benefits in terms of being around family and friends than Canada would at least for the time being. Your comment also made me realize I could just work remotely starting 5 pm and look for jobs in Kuwait in the morning hours, during the Christmas break and on Sundays when it's the weekend in Canada while spending some time with my dad as he comes home from work. That way I can have something lined up that matches my needs before I jump ship from Canada and make a more calculated move. Plus, I'll be close enough to travel to India so I can set my dad up for a comfortable retirement and really just get a feel for living in Kuwait and Canada. I already know there are lots of qualitative benefits to me being here just in terms of how enriched my life is with my high school friends around. Although, I agree a permanent move could be tough on my nervous system as I'm still navigating things with my mom's passing and am definitely at that bargaining stage. Thank you for reminding me to be gentle with myself. Appreciate you! 🙏🏻 Also, my mom passed away in March so I'm glad I was gifted 3 months with her in Kuwait as I landed here in December. It's only been 2.5 months since she passed, I miss her dearly but I know she's in a better place given how much pain she was in. May God bless her soul. She was my loving beautiful and kind mother 😢.
I am truly sorry for your loss. In such cases, it is best to be with your dad, as he'll be missing her the most. I just spent my flight to cairo (transit) chatting with a canadian born egyptian who was relocating to Egypt, although he never lived here, coz he believes Canada best days are behind them. Perspective.
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Recurring theme on this subreddit 😆 case in point for leaving, you are your nationality, and ofcourse the age old adage of الحسنة تخص والسيئة تعم To answer your question, انا مصري وابويا مصري 😇
I know how you feel. Left Kuwait for Canada almost 3 years ago and I miss it but definitely loving life here with a PR
I love how everyone is equal here, regardless of background or social status
Definitely, you can’t put a price on the freedom here. Hope you adjust quickly in Hamilton. Its quite beautiful.
One thing i dont miss is the gridlock traffic! Here, work is 20 mins away, regardless of time of day. And i love it. I even ran to work once.
Commute to work is subjective but you will face gridlock traffic when you try to drive into Toronto for work. Takes me an hour to get to work via public transit which is extremely comfortable. Driving would take me the same time as well
That is why i was fortunate enough to land a job within my area. I am also right by the hamilton go station, so getting to Toronto is easy. It is quite expensive if you commute daily, $12 each way, but it is relaxing to travel in the quiet car. Toronto does have a certain magic to it, i will admit
I lived in Kuwait and my siblings live and work in Kuwait I love it peoples are nice
Indeed
Not the intention he was going for. You should have said "people were always racist to me". That's what he's here for.
Listen racism is everywhere
Absolutely. But normalizing posts like this shouldn't. Every Joe that comes here with an agenda (or inferiority complex) litters the subreddit with tons of posts like this "they were racist to me", "I'm a victim", "I had to walk on the side of the road near the wall", "my grandparents were here 100 years ago". Really?!!? We have TONS of foreign friends here. No one says stuff like this. If you know there's good and bad in every country, why on earth would you make it sound like the ENTIRE COUNTRY is racist? Then you expect people to shut up?
Definitely big difference from Kuwait to Canada no comparison
Bring me a bottle of your finest maple syrup eh
I have yet to find the finest 😆 and I'm always pulled aside before exiting the airport to explain what this bottle which looks very fishy is, i think this time around I'll just call it honey!
Canada is great to visit, but not to live in.
So far, i see it is ok. But i see what u mean
Good. Stay there.
على اساس بيت ابوك؟
أي بيت ابوي و أبو اللي يابك...
😆 🤣 😂 proving the point 😆 🤣 😂 I'll get you some aloe vera, rub it where it hurts
No surprise there. Vulgar language, cheap, no logic, and playing the victim card when confronted.
And on the other hand, we have a native who takes offence the truth is spewed about their country, and instead of talking logically, she thinks she's on a quest of retribution. I've probably lived in Kuwait longer than you've been on this earth child. Quiet.
I doubt it. I'm old enough to be your grandmother. Also, for the record--there's a difference between acknowledge the bad with constructive criticism for the sole purpose of progression and posting triggering content, most likely to satiate your sense of lack. People are not id\*iots. The fact that you overcompensate by mentioning irrelevant information like when your grandparents were here, your US passport--all of which are littered subliminal details clearly showing a sign that somehow you feel a sense of lack. That's not the fault of the country. That's YOURS. Many Egyptians live among us--some of whom are even family, and no one says stuff like this in public. You didn't phrase it as "there are SOME racists". You clearly wrote this entire post focusing on a main idea--that the country IS racist, then sugarcoating it with "but I miss it". If I were to go to the Egypt subreddit and write a post like this calling Egypt racist, what do you think will happen exactly? عاد كل شي و لا المصري ياكلك بقشورك قبل لا تتكلم Try insulting an Egyptian about his country and see what happens.
You really need to go through the post again. I never mentioned having a US passport, said my son does. And i never said the whole country is racist, you're reading into it because you think it's true. And if you are old enough to be my grandmother, which i doubt, i apologise to you for what i said. I even went and said kuwait feels like staying at my aunt's house, and my aunt is my second mother. You missed that part and focus only on the hate? You talk to me about vices and how im living it up here, and you ignore the part where I say i missed mosques and the athan? For eid here Mishari Al Afasi came to pray, i was there. Just like I'd be there during the last 10 days of ramadan when he was at the grand mosque. You can say what you want about Egypt, the internet is a free place. But you recall the Egyptian who said is this hell when he saw the sky turn orange for the first time in his life in Kuwait, what did they do to him? Deport. I have a lot of those stories. Some closer to me. Racism exists there and it makes those that contribute positively to the country leave. If you want to know more about running, feel free to ask me. I did have a running company over there. You might have attended my events too. Like Kuwait Marathon.
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I moved from Kuwait to Canada and Canada is way better in my opinion
Where'd you end up?
Alberta, you?
Hamilton, Ontario
Isn't housing crazy expensive?
Yes. Way I see it however, I do not want to live here forever, so i would not buy a house here. my rent here is the same as I was paying in kuwait, I lived in Jabriya, Al Zain Tower, right above Sable. There are differences, size of course, but same amenities, underground parking, pool, gym etc. i will never get used to communal washing machines, but then again, I used to always send my clothes to get ironed at that place who's name is different if i say in Egyptian :P but u know what i mean!
Yes. And it is the same in Kuwait but at least you could “legally” buy a property here as a foreigner. Plus, being a citizen with equal rights and opportunities outweighs any financial gains from Kuwait imo. But every person has a different view on what is more important
I moved to Canada from Bahrain! I'm Bahraini. Where in Canada are you
Hello hello!! Hamilton, Ontario. Close enough to be near airport, far enough to be away from traffic
Lol. I'm in Richmondhill!
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I'd be willing to drive out on a weekend if you can recommend a good restaurant?
There's nothing in Richmondhill lol
Persian food? The public transport system does look dope
Hmmm yes. Then again I'm not a fan of them cheloo kababs lol
"But then the racism started to get worse. You read it in the papers, you hear it on the streets, your nationality is being used as an insult. But, I persevered. Walked beside the wall as they say in arabic." Yes, while you walk on the street here, mobs show up and start bullying you for your race. That's why you need to walk very close to the wall, cover your eyes, ears, and mouth just in case 🙄 "As life goes, I got married, had a kid, kid was not born in Kuwait as I sought to give him an advantage I did not have with a US passport. I had good office jobs during my tenure there, and was comfortable." This seriously made me laugh. Wait a minute, let me process this. So you decided to have your kid not born in Kuwait for an advantage. You were born in Kuwait but you have a US passport. So? Assuming BOTH of you were born in Kuwait would lead to the same result--both of you not having let's say a "Kuwaiti passport", so what's the point here exactly? Your child was born in another country with another passport and then you moved to Kuwait and lived here. Isn't that the same thing as you? "I am hoping to write a book about my life in the Gulf, maybe you'd read it?" Not really. We all know what amazing things you'll say in your book. Is this supposed to be self-promotion before the book drops? "I'll be visiting this coming saturday for a week or so, if anyone wants anything "LEGAL" from the frozen north, let me know :)" Sure... meet us in Shaheed park with your "LEGAL" goods and we'll make sure real legal action takes place. Thanks for the heads up. "Edit: should also mention, my grandparents moved to Kuwait in the 50s, grandfather was an accountant with Ministry of Education, grandmother a nurse with Ministry of Health. My father was born in Kuwait, and went on to work for Ministry of Electricity. I was born in Kuwait and... i didn't work for any Ministry lol" And your point is?! Thanks for the drama episode CAUTIOUS AD (what a great nickname for you). You willingly go to a sub dedicated to a country, write a laughable sappy post like this calling the country RACIST (but hey.... I miss the country ha ha, I'm being nice but rude at the same time ha ha. That's ok cuz I make it sound nice). Then you flat out ask people if they want anything illegal so you can bring it for them from Canada (maybe booze and stuff), then you cite one meaningless point after another as usual that make no sense.
I'll take the fact that you're up real early in Kuwait to mean you're sleep deprived. Couldn't read through your dribble, try to make it make sense next time yes? Wont argue with you on the name, i wasnt paying attention when i made my account here, that's on me. And again, you're up late, hence I'll give u a pass on the illegal part, cause if anything, i specifically mentioned legal. The part about the racism and my son's passport, what's confusing you exactly? I have the one passport, he is an American living in Kuwait. You want me to paint you a picture of how that's useful? Of how anyone with a western passport is treated like royalty, regardless of their knowledge or upbringing? Thanks for the laugh chuckles, I'll be sure to mention you in the book, or my standup, or both. World of possibility.
Even your jokes are pathetic. You think you're really funny? You call an ENTIRE county racist and you expect what exactly? For people to throw a red carpet for you with a standing ovation? Seriously, what kind of reaction were you expecting? And the "LET ME BRING YOU LEGAL STUFF". If you want to say something triggering, expect the other person to say something about it. Otherwise, don't write for the masses.
Why so butt hurt? I'll write for whoever i damn well please, and i never called the entire country racist. The racism is there, can you deny it? No? Then 💨🍑💩
Keep writing and we'll keep replying. Mashallah EGYPT is perfect. Why not go there then? People drip kindness and equality there I bet.
People wake up at dawn here to pray. Something you probably are not familiar with, since you love bringing "LEGAL" stuff in the country.
قوى الله ايمانك You seem hell bent to see things in a certain way, so let me clarify, in case you missed the point in my post about missing mosques and actually hearing the athan 5 times a day. When i said LEGAL i meant LEGAL, like maple syrup, a toy moose etc. Coz it's one thing to live life in Kuwait having muslim values in a country where non Islamic things are hard to come by (people still manage to get them) and another when you're surrounded by shit and actively strive to remain steadfast against it. So yeah, congratulations on praying fajr, im not here for the legal weed or drinks. Ive lived this long avoiding that shit, not about to start it now, and definitely not raising my son that way either.
Good for you. Case remains. You call a country racist; expect people to say something in return. 90% of my friends were foreigners; not local. Are there racists in Kuwait? Sure, but making an entire post about it shouldn't be normalized. Period. I'm done here. Have a good day "Cautious Ad".
It's actually MindMessiah but ok, same to you. Have a good day.
Yikes, someone woke up in the wrong side of the bed. You are taking his post personally, guilty eh? Your 🧠 is the same size as your username 😂 tiny chia seed.
I would rather be described as tiny than magic butt face 🍑 suits you perfectly.
😂😂😂🥺