06 January 2009 03:18 GMT
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Kuwait is one of the more conservative Muslim states in the Middle East. Social codes and customs remain traditional, even though the city itself is very modern, and the sale and consumption of alcohol is totally banned – even in 5* hotels and upmarket restaurants.
The vast majority of Kuwaitis wear national dress, which is a white dishdasha robe for men and a black, flowing abeya for women, many of which are worn as fashion accessories. Most Kuwaiti women cover their heads, although most younger women do not cover their faces in the same way as in Saudi Arabia, for instance.
Visitors should always dress conservatively. If you’re a woman, then it’s best not to wear any short skirts or revealing clothing, and try to wear clothes that cover your shoulders if possible.
Perhaps surprisingly, though, Kuwait has one of the more vibrant political systems in the Gulf region, with an active parliament. Its media is also considered to be much more liberal than others in the region, with local newspapers not afraid to be critical of the government.
For the visitor, Kuwait is in general a very safe place to visit, although there do seem to have been a growing number of petty crimes in recent years. On the other hand, the virtually non-existent tourist industry means that you're unlikely to come across the kind of aggressive tourist touts that plague the more frequently-visited countries in the region.
Around two-thirds of Kuwait’s population of 3.2 million are non-Kuwaitis, mainly expatriate workers from India, Pakistan, south-east Asia and other parts of the Arab world.
Although many people do speak English, and all hotels are business-oriented, it might sometimes be difficult to communicate with taxi drivers or shopkeepers. Generally, though, there’ll always be someone around who can help to translate.
RELATED KUWAIT LINKS
Exploring the City
Arriving and departing at KWI
Inside the Airport
3-5 hour stopovers
5-7 hour stopovers
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