Kuwaitis romance with wink, wow

So how do single Kuwaitis find soul mates in a country with no nightclubs, pubs or other Western-style meeting places?

Thanks to the Internet, modern shopping malls and Western food and coffee chains like Starbucks, it is easier for Kuwaiti youth to mingle and indulge in a little flirting. But romances are still largely kept a secret.

‘‘Dating in the Western sense is considered an abnormality not in line with our traditions,’’ said Khedr Al Baroun, a psychology professor at Kuwait University.

A woman’s reputation is an invaluable commodity in Arab society. ‘‘People date left, right and centre but are careful not to be seen in public or even to talk about it,’’ said Lujain, a US-educated 26-year-old Kuwaiti.

‘‘Some meet through friends at parties or gatherings,’’ she said. ‘‘(But) for the typical Kuwaiti girl dating means talking constantly on the telephone and seeing each other once a week in a secluded area,’’ she added.

‘‘Starbucks and the other coffee shops and restaurants that keep popping up are dating areas. Shopping malls are also good places,’’ said 18-year-old Khulud, who declined to give her family name. ‘‘You can exchange numbers easily there.’’

If the malls don’t take your fancy, jump in your car and head to the waterfront Gulf Street where young Kuwaitis on the pull cruise up and down the strip in flashy sports cars.

The youth deploy all available resources in their weekend trawl, especially their car signal lights, with a single-signal ‘‘wink’’ or a double-signal ‘‘wow’’. If the attraction is mutual, numbers are swapped and the two lovebirds meet at a secluded stretch of beach.

‘‘Numbers are very appropriate for Kuwait. You can flirt and get to know one another over the phone without being seen in public,’’ explained Khulud.

Despite all the obstacles, romance still flourishes, proving that Kuwaitis are willing to take risks to find true love. Just don’t forget to keep your car windows down next time you’re in Kuwait. (Reuters)