Mistakes expats make in Kuwait

My mistake that I think most expats can learn from me is this. I failed to adapt to "mandoub" and "wasta" concept fast enough. Whatever that mandoub can settle for you, let them do it. Most MNC or big corporations have them. Use their service. It's much2 faster than you personally going to that unknown unfamiliar place government offices and trying to speak english when everyone else talk Tamil or Arabic. Except for the local Kuwaitis which speak  fluent english, most other expats english level are basic at most! You'll be struggling to understand them and they'll be struggling to understand you!

And "Wasta" is special VIP red carpet lane you should use every time you're offered or have opportunity upon as it'll get rid alot of hassle, red tapes and bureaucracies usually imposed to expats! Esp for basic stuffs such as your Civil ID and driving license. Nothing wrong here, just how the culture of Kuwait is.

And never ever over-tip your mandoub as they can and will be greedy once they know that 10 KD is nothing to you. 10 KD might be small change where you come from(esp if you're from Western countries) but to them it's probably a week's meal!

Always tip them small change like 100fills or maybe at most 500fills(1/2 KD notes) but only give 1 KD if you're really happy with their services! Fast and efficient takes a whole new meaning here in Ku-Wait.

Will update further if anything else comes to mind though!