I am sure a lot of you agree with me that Kuwaitis are renowned for their high consumption. Let's see the examples, they love consuming foods, love to shop 'til they drop, cruise around the coastal road with frequent splurges on gas. These displays of extreme expenditure is an evolution of an old cultural Arab costume: GENEROSITY. Obviously, times have changed and currently the Kuwaiti citizen doesn't fancy being labeled stingy. Therefore we, as a nation, had to explore other avenues to express our extreme urge of showing generosity.
Following the Iraqi invasion, there was a sudden boom in the real estate market (I am not going to discuss the financial side here). This boom meant that every Kuwaiti aspired to having a bigger house, with more rooms and a larger reception area with more lighting involved. Kuwaitis developed a taste for large flasher-lights which showed the tasteful/tasteless exterior of their houses. Other green-oriented individuals, opted for the vast gardens which included exotic vegetation that required extensive maintenance and watering. And with the larger houses, came the increase in the number of man-power, i.e. gardeners, maids and the lot.
The summing result of the evolved Arab costume and the exuberant life-style meant that more water and electric power is needed to keep up with the demand. So guess what we are facing right now?
Who would believe that a wealthy country like Kuwait faces challenges in providing power during the longest season of the year. Not to mention, water supply too when it is most needed. Couldn't they speculate that a crisis like this would happen when they decided to air-condition every possible venue in Kuwait? I am not implying that it is not necessary. Couldn't the government try to clamp down on the aspiration of people who think bigger-is-better? It's a shame that an educated society needs to be taught how to conserve resources in the twenty-first century. Yet again, bad management is kicking in. I'd imagine a crisis like this happening to India, China where there are billions scavenging electric power and water, but not Kuwait.
Looking on the positive side, the 'tarsheed' campaign is taking the better-late-than-never approach. They are working at full force doing their educational bits on TV, billboard advertisements and newspapers. I am proud that the Kuwaiti society is doing well so far, but I could also attribute the reduction in consumption to the fact that half of the country is away on vacation.
Just a note from my Buddha, how come the governmental institutions are not setting an example by switching off lights and air-con in vacant offices during peak-consumption hours?
Following the Iraqi invasion, there was a sudden boom in the real estate market (I am not going to discuss the financial side here). This boom meant that every Kuwaiti aspired to having a bigger house, with more rooms and a larger reception area with more lighting involved. Kuwaitis developed a taste for large flasher-lights which showed the tasteful/tasteless exterior of their houses. Other green-oriented individuals, opted for the vast gardens which included exotic vegetation that required extensive maintenance and watering. And with the larger houses, came the increase in the number of man-power, i.e. gardeners, maids and the lot.
The summing result of the evolved Arab costume and the exuberant life-style meant that more water and electric power is needed to keep up with the demand. So guess what we are facing right now?
Who would believe that a wealthy country like Kuwait faces challenges in providing power during the longest season of the year. Not to mention, water supply too when it is most needed. Couldn't they speculate that a crisis like this would happen when they decided to air-condition every possible venue in Kuwait? I am not implying that it is not necessary. Couldn't the government try to clamp down on the aspiration of people who think bigger-is-better? It's a shame that an educated society needs to be taught how to conserve resources in the twenty-first century. Yet again, bad management is kicking in. I'd imagine a crisis like this happening to India, China where there are billions scavenging electric power and water, but not Kuwait.
Looking on the positive side, the 'tarsheed' campaign is taking the better-late-than-never approach. They are working at full force doing their educational bits on TV, billboard advertisements and newspapers. I am proud that the Kuwaiti society is doing well so far, but I could also attribute the reduction in consumption to the fact that half of the country is away on vacation.
Just a note from my Buddha, how come the governmental institutions are not setting an example by switching off lights and air-con in vacant offices during peak-consumption hours?
2 comments:
generosity is one thing.
i think it has more to do with maintaining the image of the stereotypical rich arab/khaleeji.
big cars and big silly houses that they cant afford have nothing to do with generosity, and until people understand that nothing will change.
Thank you for your comment skunk:
I agree, but people here attribute it to being generous. Kuwaitis do not want to be labeled poor, as if poverty is something to be ashamed of!
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