Why is it that?….. Part 3….Attack of the BHF’s

So I decided to go to the cinema yesterday night and watch ‘Casino Royale,’ the new James Bond Movie.

I took my seat, switched my phone to silent, reclined in the semi-comfortable seat, sipped on my cold water and awaited the beginning of the movie.

All was very good in Toxy’s hood…….until….

Why is it that?….. Part 2

It seems like every single time I want to make a right turn on a slip road – there is always that ONE SINGLE CAR which blocks my path to the free road.

I am then forced to wait an additional 2 -3 minutes (in complete frustration) for absolutely no reason at all.

What I don’t understand is why the streets planners don’t measure the exits by car lengths. Every time I am stuck at these junctions, I think of that cartoon image of that poor donkey with a carrot dangled over his head. So close….yet so infuriatingly far.

Why is it that?….. Part 1

There are a lot of inexplicable actions and instances that occur in our lives on a daily basis.

-Most irritations are mundanely predictable, most irritations can never be resolved.

-Some things that humans do are plainly weird, some things that humans do are simply nonsensical.

I’m going to try and serialize them on this blog for future reference. I’m going to try to mix nonsensical behavior with everyday irritations.

Question one lies below:

So you think you can Text Message? Beat the World Champ

I’m pretty good at texting. I use texting as my primary form of communication amongst friends etc. It’s so much quicker, easier and direct to the point. Call someone up and you usually waste about 2/3 of your time talking nonsense.

I’ve had a few ‘text message’ competitions with friends and I’m usually up there with the best of them. It should therefore, come as no surprise to learn that my current phone (Nokia 8800) has sent 8742 messages in around 53 weeks of use. That averages out to approximately 23.5 messages per day.

I came across this article and thought it was pretty cool…..

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SINGAPORE (Reuters)- A Singaporean student broke the Guinness World Record for the shortest time needed to type a 160-character SMS message on Sunday after whizzing through the task in less than 42 seconds in a competition.

Sixteen-year-old Ang Chuang Yang typed the SMS (short message service) message in 41.52 seconds, beating the previous record of 42.22 seconds set by American Ben Cook in July, according to Singapore Telecommunications, organizers of the competition.

“I’ll try for 39 seconds next year,” said Ang, adding that the trick to speedy text messaging was to use a mobile phone with larger keys on the dial pad.

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And so, I guess you are all now dying to know what they have to type right?

Well, get your stopwatches out….it’s time to practice the standard SMS message used in all Guiness (Book of Records) competitions.

“The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”

Kuwait: Everywhere I look…..I see Dudes!! Why?

 

It’s a strange phenomenon that I’ve only ever felt in Kuwait. Why is it that every single place I go – be it the gym, the mall, the restaurants, the coffee shops, the offices, I feel like I see an overwhelming number of males.

Where the heck are all the women in this country? Do they not go out, or are they – the females – simply outnumbered?

It got me thinking a lot about the demographics of Kuwait. There must be a birth rate problem. Surely there are too many males being born and not enough females, right?

Well let’s take a look at the latest statistics posted for 2005 and I think we’ll find some pretty interesting results:

All Figures are for Year Ending 2005

• Kuwait Total Population: 2.9 million (up 8.6% for 2005) – huge growth, shows our population and our economy is expanding

• Kuwaitis: 992,000 (up 3.8%) – Can you believe we still didn’t get to a million? It’s been at this number now for seemingly years

• Kuwaiti Females: 51 % – What? This can’t be right. Where are they?

• Kuwait Males: 49% – But everywhere I look, I see males. Impossible.

• Non Kuwaiti Males: 70% – And so lies the problem

• Non Kuwaiti Females: 30% – And so lies the problem part 2
Other Stats:

• Kuwaitis under age of 15: 40% – Amazing Statistic. Now we know why Marina is always packed with kids

• Kuwaitis under age of 30: 68% – Kuwait, according to this statistic, is an incredibly young country.

Most Populated Areas in Kuwait : Hawalli and Farwaniyah, where 48% of the total population live. This explains the traffic problems associated with these areas.

And so, we find (at least partial) answers to our questions:

70% of the Ex-pats who come to Kuwait (a total of 2 million) are Males. Translated into approximate numbers, this is roughly 1.4 million males to 600,000 females. A shocking imbalance.

So why is this?

Well, let’s look beyond the recent influx of foreign contractors who now reside in Kuwait and look to identify the real, crux of the problem.

Kuwait is one of the few countries in the World, where Nationals do NOT work in the ‘service sector.’ Our ‘service sector’ relies solely on TCN’s (American terminology for ‘Third Country Nationals’) to do the associated work.

Jobs in Construction, Transportation, Food and Catering, Industrial Cleaning and any other type of Manual Labor typically require males to do the often laborious tasks.

Let’s elaborate.

Typically these ex-pat males will NOT be able to come to Kuwait with their wives or their families due to the high costs of living associated with the country. For the average service sector worker, Kuwait is an excellent place to earn a comparatively good wage before returning back to their originating countries with the monies saved. Those leaving workers are then simply replaced by more TCN’s – and thus, the cycle continues.

And the future?

As our companies grow bigger; our need for manpower will also be increasing. The rift between the male and female population is therefore set to grow even further.

So what of other countries in the region with similar setups. What of countries like the Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain? There are hundreds of thousands of service sector jobs there – how come the ratio doesn’t ‘appear’ as skewed as Kuwait?

Well, there are a number of possible reasons:

1) Tourism: Vacationing families, vacationing couples and mixed sex ‘singles’ often go to Dubai, Qatar or Bahrain for fun, entertainment and relaxation. In many public places, you will see a good mixture of couples and ‘mixed sex’ groups which helps to increase diversity and at least ‘mask over’ the demographic disproportions.

2) Career Perspectives: Kuwait, as a country, is simply not as enticing as our neighbors for single ex-pat females to live and work in. We are still a society which is predominantly male orientated. I’m sure we all know many ex-pat females who didn’t think twice about taking a job in the Emirates, Qatar or Bahrain. Can the same be said of Kuwait? The environment is simply not as appealing.

Solutions: Whilst we could of course debate this all day, we could start by:

-Promoting Kuwait as an equal opportunity country for both sexes to live and work.

-Increase Touristic Interest in the country. Perhaps with the advent of projects like Failaka Island, we will see a slow, gradual push toward the true value of tourism.

-Encourage ex-pat families to reside here by offering them the right to buy land or properties.

I would like to leave you with one last question to ponder on. When was the last time you heard of a group of young, single females going to Kuwait on a random visit or vacation?

Hmmm….even our stat book will be hard pressed to answer that question.

Video: Superhuman Dancing……Simply Astonishing!!

Now I’ve seen some crazy dance moves in my times, but nothing – and I mean nothing – compares to this video made by a guy named Cico. I cannot even fathom how this guy can do these tricks. There are moments in this video when literally you feel like he’s about ready to take off like a helicopter. Truly Amazing…..

Anyways, see you guys later – my kitchen floor awaits.

Virgin Megastore: Where have all your DVD’s gone?

I went to Virgin today for a quick browse through their new products. I tend to start at the magazines section, slowly work my way through the books section and finally onto the DVD / Music section.

The entire store had been renovated since the last time I was in there – and the setting looks a lot more like a multi-brand electronic / entertainment store now. After collecting my magazines I headed over to the DVD section.

I was used to the previous layout where an entire corner section was was laden with the ‘latest’ DVD’s and ‘TV Box sets’ – so imagine my surprise when I saw only 6 threadbare rows of DVDs in the entire 2000 sqm store!

The current racks only had 1 DVD per show space. It looked like some kind of joke!

I went over to the sales clerk and asked where all the DVD’s were. He pointed to the bare shelves. I told him that there was a much bigger selection before – what happened? He said that they were ordering more. I asked where the TV Box Sets were……he had no answer.

Something just didn’t add up, so I decided to do a little more investigatory work.

I went over to the cashier and asked her the same question. The uninterested assistant pointed to the ’selection’ bowed her head, and went back to tapping on her keypad.

I’m not sure what the heck is going on – but something is not right. I don’t for one minute believe that they are really ‘out of stock.’ Has there been some kind of mass DVD cull in Kuwait that I am unaware of?

Where has your DVD selection gone Virgin?

Attack of the Bluetooth Advertiser, Kuwait

So I sat down for my weekly meal at ‘Entrecote‘ in Fenar Mall. I ordered the usual medium steak, diet coke and extra ‘green’ sauce to douse those crispy yellow fries with. I was starving and urged the waitress to bring the bread out as soon as possible.

Beep Beep….my phone ‘message alert’ went off.

It was a Bluetooth message stating something along the lines of ‘Out of the Blue wants to send you a message.’ I looked around the largely empty restaurant in search of the usual culprits….Hmmm…..A couple of old folks on the side, a married looking couple in the far corner and the waitresses.

Out of curiosity I opened the file and was greeted by an ‘Animated GIF’ file asking me to call an Advertising Company – if I wanted to place a similar Bluetooth ad. At first I thought it was pretty cool, I had never seen advertising like this before anywhere in the world let alone Kuwait.

I thought nothing more of it.

A couple of days later, whilst sitting down to eat my meal at Biella in Marina – I got another Bluetooth message – again from “Out of the Blue.” I opened it and got the same exact message. Call XXX for advertising. This time, my reaction was different – I actually felt pretty annoyed.

I realized that this company must have a Bluetooth system lurking throughout various locations in Kuwait. The machine must scan the area and look to catch you (literally) with an ‘Out of the Blue’ advertising campaign – whether you like it or not.

Advertising is a sensitive issue. Companies spend millions of dollars a year trying to come up with the latest ‘catch phrase / slogan’ to capture the ever flakey consumer’s imagination. TV commercials are forced throughout your favourite shows for a reason – because they make massive amounts of money for the broadcasting stations.

The one difference between TV Advertising and Bluetooth Advertising is choice. I have a remote control, I don’t have to watch what’s on the screen.

Bluetooth Advertising is a completely different ball game – why should I have to switch off my Bluetooth to avoid such blatant spamming? Why should I be disturbed by a ‘message alert’ from someone /something I don’t even know? What about those who wear wireless head sets or connect up to their Laptops via Bluetooth? Are they supposed to switch of their units to avoid these messages?

I’m not happy with this service as I feel it’s a blatant intrusion on privacy. Let’s hope it doesn’t catch on, I will get pretty angry having to keep rejecting or even deleting these messages seemingly ‘out of the blue.’

Shock Photographs: Wait A Second…A KUWAITI Family lived in this $hit hole??

Talk to most people around the World, tell them you are from Kuwait and they will automatically assume one or more of the following things:

You

• have an Oil Well at the bottom of your garden
• drive either a Mercedes or a BMW
• employ a small army of Servants
• and of course……you own and maintain a Palace

Whilst all of these ‘facts’ are of course absolute nonsense, it’s undeniable that Kuwaiti’s in particular, enjoy a privileged lifestyle thanks to the ‘cradle to the grave’ welfare system provided by the Government.

That’s why these pictures which I took of an apartment in Salmiya may come as a shock to most people. Members of a prominent Kuwaiti family lived here and vacated the premises a mere 4 Days (YES THAT’S FOUR DAYS) earlier.

Please click below when you are ready to view….

WARNING: I would advise you NOT to look at these pictures if you are about to take your morning snack or consume any food……

WTF are you staring at you idiot?

 

 

If there is one thing I hate, and I mean hate more than anything – it’s people staring at me. Yesterday I was sitting in a restaurant in Marina with a couple of friends (one female) and these two idiots sat staring at us for the entire duration of their 45 minute meal. They barely said a word to each other – all they did was sit staring.

The restaurant was pretty empty, and they were sat directly across the room under an obtrusively bright light – it was a very uncomfortable feeling. I started to get seriously irritated.

A number of times I stared right back into their eyes until they flinched and looked away. I thought that would solve the problem, but to my shock – like a pack of apes ogling at a banana – they were back staring shortly thereafter. I must admit, by that time, I was ready to go over for a confrontation but thankfully they paid their check and left.

 

I have observed this behavior many times, and its most noticeable when you are part of ‘the seated crowd.’ Take a look at all the heads and eyes when a new person or ‘group’ enters the vicinity. All heads, in unison, will begin their stare down.

If people acted like this in any other part of the World – they would get bashed senseless. I have no idea why it’s so prevalent in our region…..From Kuwait to Beirut – people just love to stare.

p.s. I am a male, I was referring to us – rather than me personally!

Kuwait’s Struggle with The Internet: ‘A Weapon of Mass Education’

A mere 10 years ago, the world was a completely different place from the one which we know today. Can you remember life before the internet, before email or instant messaging? Can you remember life before the latest digital music and digital television could be accessed with a few clicks of the mouse button?

We have well and truly moved into the new “Technological age”….and thankfully – this is just the beginning.

So how is this relevant to Kuwait’s Future then?

Well, as much as certain people are trying to block our outside interactions with more cosmopolitan lifestyles, trying to suppress our choices and shackle our natural evolution – technology, and a deep rooted intrinsic need to be in touch with ‘the latest of everything’ will ensure that Kuwait keeps itself in tune with the rest of the world.

Talk to any kid nowadays and see how much time they spend on the net. See how much time they spend watching Western Orientated Shows, being influenced by Western Dress and Western Fashion. The Kids of today know much more about the World in general – than the kids of my time.

Just the other day, I was sitting with some young kids who are frequently watching shows like ‘Friends’ , ‘The OC’ or just about any of those Pop Culture shows on the MTV Channel…..Like any kids throughout the world – it’s only natural that they compare their environment with that of what they see and hear on Television.

So guess what questions they were asking? “Why can’t we do that stuff here in Kuwait?”……

And that was just the beginning.

Computers are literally everywhere. Technology has made the world a much smaller place. It’s now possible for me to share thoughts with people from all over the globe – not just family and friends.

With the advent of even newer communicative mediums like Internet Blogs – we are getting a much closer look at the ‘lifestyles’ of people from all over the globe. Internet Blogs are helping us to both vent and express our messages to a potentially unlimited audience; they are helping us to collectivize our thoughts and beliefs – and ultimately bringing us much CLOSER together than ever before.

So what of the new developing Generation Gap: The old Traditionalists vs Today’s Kids?

The tensions are building.

As much as some people want to keep Kuwait in the dark ages – and keep it a relic in the Ever ‘Progressing’ Arab World – they will ultimately fail in their longterm quest. Why? Simply because people will ‘educate’ themselves to different choices and different mindsets. Information is power and when people begin to realize that their ‘choices’ (through comparison) are not there – they will rebel.

I think this is one of the reasons why we are seeing certain people in Kuwait doing their absolute best to suck the living life out of Country. Those in power, the outgoing generation – can see what’s happening and have absolutely no clue how to fight off their new worst and invisible enemy.

What they don’t realize is that there is nothing, absolutely nothing that they can do about it. Welcome to the new and most powerful “weapon of mass education” : Internet Technology.

Killing Kuwait Softly

Thanks to Moocherx for alerting us to this. I was deeply saddened to read this article printed in the Arabtimes Online regarding the cancellation of an annual Charity Event in Kuwait.

‘Eyes’ force cancellation; Why Irish eyes are crying

KUWAIT CITY: The annual social gathering of the Kuwait Irish Society, scheduled for Thursday, Nov 2, 2006 has been cancelled, allegedly because of pressure from some Islamist groups. The event, supposed to have taken place at one of Kuwait’s five-star hotels, was reportedly called off by the organizers because it was not granted a permit to hold the function, according to information gathered by the Arab Times. If true, this would be the first time in 15 years the Kuwait Irish Society, a non-profit organization which each year organizes sports and social events to raise money for a selected charity either in Kuwait or Ireland, has been denied permission to hold the event.

According to reliable sources, the event’s cancellation has been linked to efforts by a certain Islamic party which reportedly has formed groups to monitor social functions and discourage activities they deem “immoral,” such as singing, dancing and musical shows which they then report to the concerned authority. Some members of the Irish community in Kuwait reached for comment by the Arab Times decided to keep quiet about the issue with a few saying it was very disappointing. Recently, a well-known Islamist politician mentioned in a statement that Islamist groups had successfully managed to get 10 of 13 social functions cancelled.

By Boie Conrad Dublin – Arab Times Staff

 

Does anyone see else not see the irony in this? Events – which are held for ‘Charitable Purposes‘ are now getting inexplicably canceled.

This strangling behaviour is not helping anyone or anything – it’s merely breading contempt, anger and driving things further underground. Whilst many other countries in the Gulf are embracing their new found liberalism, certain people here are determined to suck the last living life out of Kuwait……It’s truly a sad state of affairs….