Unlike in other members of the GCC, Kuwait offers limited entertainment options for Filipinos and other expatriates. Don’t expect to see music bars with live bands. Moreover, don’t expect mouth-watering ice-cold beers or other forms of alcoholic beverages being served even in Hard Rock Cafe.

Quite unusual, right?  But wait, let me correct myself. Beers are being sold or served here in Kuwait but only non-alcoholic beers. Those which are purely malt and has no alcohol content.

Being here for quite some time, I agree that alcoholic beverages should be banned here. Even without the influence of alcohol, locals here act more than like drunk. They tend to act like uncivilized individuals at any time of the day.

But the prohibition in alcohol couldn’t stop OFWs from partying. OFWs usually meets together every Thursday or Friday evening. Who needs live bands if videoke is available? Weekends in Kuwait are every Friday and Saturday which is equivalent to Saturday and Sunday in Philippines.

Filipino parties in Kuwait are being held cautiously though as authorities know that if there’s party, most probably that there will be alcohol drinks as well. In most cases, this is very true. For Filipinos, parties will not be complete without alcoholic drinks. Sadiki, as locally called, can be ordered from illegal suppliers and will resemble like that of a bottled water. These are being processed at private homes by expatriates suppliers and even by locals. I don’t know if it’s true but my uncle told me not to drink sadiki since some sadikis contain paint thinner.

But the sad part is, offenders will receive a hefty amount of punishment once caught by the authorities. Once caught, offenders could be imprisoned and deported afterwards. Some could be sexually molested, either you’re a male or a female.

Once caught drunk outside your flat or apartment, you also risk your fellow kababayans – your drinking buddies. Police will do everything to gather the names they want from you so as  to trace down the people involved in the drinking session – including even the supplier of the sadiki. If you are the one caught, what will you do if you are being tortured? How are you going to save yourself? Are you going to tell the authorities the names they want?

This is when maturity plays a critical role. Some Filipinos risk everything for the happiness brought by one-night parties. They don’t think of the consequences – as long as they are happy. Kaliwali, mafi mushkil as they say.

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View of Kuwait from my room | View of Kuwait City

The Arab world is a totally different world. The uniqueness is very evident – from culture to environment and to human breeding. I experienced this uniqueness from the very first day that I arrived here till this very day that I wrote this article. Things that surprised me before still surprises me to this very day.

One thing that I learned from Day 1 is that if you decide to work in an Arab nation, be ready with the challenges and there should be no regrets. Besides, it is our decision and not somebody else’s decision when we applied for work in the Gulf region. Just be cautious and keep you senses. The consequences of our actions depends on what decisions we make everyday.

You should also have the right frame of mind when working overseas. Do not let homesickness bother you or ruin your senses. There is a saying, which may have been true in some cases, when working in the Middle East. Once you let homesickness affect your senses, it’s either “you’ll end up crazy or you’ll end up being gay.”

Pinoys staying in accommodation camps

The reality is – anywhere you go, life presents challenges. The important thing is how we react on these challenges and how mature Filipinos like us make wise decisions for ourselves and for our family.

To be continued…

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