Its all about the money!!!

..... dum dum duh dee dum dum

Life on the KSE (Kuwait Stock Exchange) -

An IPO a day,owners cash out and potentially rip people off!!
Most of the IPOs that came to market recently are really shady companies in my opinion. The owners plan to make full use of the high liquidity out there and possibly run with your money!!

IPO anything from schools to dry cleaning stores and you can become a rich person over here !!!

Kuwaitis are generally thought to be good investors around the GCC, but they also have this quality or weakness (depending on your view), which is the love for money no matter how unethical the methods for getting it. Most have a gambling mentality that is not healthy at all in this market - A market that moves on fundamentals (good) but in trance with rumors and and what "lead spears" tell them (really bad).

Many Kuwaiti investors are aware that some of the companies are just another empty pistachio shell, yet they are willing to put their money because they know that an IPO in the short run will make them rich.

How short is the short run? I challenge every investor out there. When do you take your money out?

I feel that the potential for this country is huge, however, not every stock should benefit from this potential. There are some crazy multiples, shady accounting and greedy people in Kuwait and this post is just a reminder of the ugly side. I am still investing in this market, but I urge people to watch out and really consult with the experts out there. By expert, I mean someone in a foreign bank who had experienced booms and busts and hedged the risk of his / her investor base.

I also suggest watching the movie "Bolier Room" because I believe a lot of boiling and cooking is going on in this market. Don't wanna see average Abood & Hamood be burnt and ask the Government to compensate them for their losses!!!

Ana Warak Ana Warak.. 7atta Al Gomar ... Ana Warak Ana Warak

I do not understand how this lady can be singing such a song, cause following a man in such context is simply stalking!!!! She is planning to follow her man anywhere, even if he goes to the moon!!! Give the lad some personal space for God's sake!!!! Not sure if this song sends the right message to women on how to get a man?!?!. She obviously thinks that a "Ghaneema Bul Reesh" approach will get her somewhere!!! Men need their personal space and a smart woman will give her mate the right proportion of such space. Very few woman seem to do that in our culture though, but the ones that do will surely win their partner's love for a long time. The "Reely 3ela Reelik" phrase needs to be removed from a woman's mind and its use in our culture.

Woman unlike men however, seem to like being stalked!!! Ladies seem to confuse the stalker with prince charming. A guy who follows a girl from the mall to her car and then to her house will surely score high in his first love test!!! Unless the guy is not good looking at all, this stalking experience will rarely fail!!!

I am not sure I undestand this opposing perception towards stalking, however, I strongly advise stalking women who stalk the elegible bachelor at work to limit their exposure!! Such limitiation will only increase your chances.

As for the men, since this stalking thing works on your side, stalk the woman who seems interested from Marina Mall to Subahiya and you will rarely regret it. Your intentions better be sincere though, cause if not I hope she has a brother who kicks your ass you filthy animal !!! :)

Ana warak ana warak.... " I cant get this song out of my head now!!!"

Good Luck!

I wish you all the best and I hope you get some rewarding news for your hard solid effort.

This post is dedicated to the most talented and hard working people I know.

Friday Morning Thoughts

Miss the one who reads my blog but not advised to comment :)

Tough Saturday is tomorrow :(

Kuwait vs. Saudi - Hope we win

I gotta send some work emails!

Will Kuwait in a decade be something remotely close to Dubai or very close to Saudi!!

Will machboos sushi become a trend?

Will I achieve my goals before I am 35?

Is it true that men peak at 25!!??!?!

So Happy for the Ladies - They Deserve it

Hope women vote wisely and make an enlightening difference.
With the achievement of such a major milestone I foresee a glorious future for Kuwait.

The campaigns should see some interesting changes:

Will the billboards have pictures, or is it against Shareeaa?, wait I thought pictures are against Shareeaa too, according to some interpretations. Silhouettes might work!!

A woman's voice is considered "Awrah" according to some views, so will her voice be dubbed during campaigning!! Mike Tyson's voice should work, don't you think??!?!?


I am so happy for the ladies, but I hope there are not too many strings attached to these rights.

One last point:

Think we might have less single woman in this country too.
There will be more interaction between the sexes at campaign headquarters / debates and as a result more men and woman with similar views will probably meet and hence increase the probability of falling in love and tying the knot.

A better society starts from a compatible marriage to begin with!!

Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous Kuwaitis

KTV presents
Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous Kuwaitis
10 PM KT
14/5/2005

Today's episode - The richest family in Kuwait


Now before you run to your TV, think about it, can we ever have such a show in Kuwait!!!

Although I believe such a show would be a hit, it can never be made in a society that strongly believes in the evil eye.

Imagine if we can see inside the real estate, examine the cars and get a rough figure on screen of the wealth those people have. Get answers on where do they spend their money? And where do they travel? Maybe have an investigative reporter describe how did they really make their money, and who was ripped off within the family, and interview them!

I think such a show will be tantalizing viewers, since Kuwaiti society is very keen about minding other people's business.

Will anyone agree to be in such a show?! The evil eye and envious mentality will surely hinder participation.

" Mashalla he has all that" will surely be repeated so many times but oh boy will the majority of the viewers be boiling with envy.

I do not understand the envious nature of Kuwaiti society. Everyone or atleast most people are well off, yet they envy others all the time. You can even see that in the stock market as many people refuse to buy certain stocks because they are affiliated with a certain family that they do not like purely because that family is successful!

Would such a show increase this nature, or would it reduce it as more people can better assess and understand how rich our richest people are? I think we will be shocked with the riches of certain families and disappointed with the riches of others. Probably be laughing at the ill taste and nouveau riche habits of some too.

We might learn a lesson from success vs. Failure in establishing wealth, but I bet it will be a tough lesson to teach Kuwaitis to learn to be less envious!

The elevator

Yes, it is right, the elevator is probably the smallest area in Kuwait where you can publicly mix both sexes in . As a result so many frustrations are released and so much energy is generated from this unity. If we can only focus this energy, I think Kuwait will survive even without oil.

Managers and cleaners will never mix except on the elevator. This occasional mix usually creates a new perfume that combines musk, rose water and sweat. If you happen to enter the elevator immediately after the new perfume is formulated, everyone who joins you will think you stink! Sorry, but even if you try rubbing your nose and show others that you are disgusted by the smell too, it is often too late!!

Elevator Etiquette

Think people in Kuwait need to learn some elevator etiquette too. For example:

1) You should wait and check that no one is exiting before you rush inside. I know you pressed the button, but it does not mean that you own the elevator!!!
2) If someone is in the back of the elevator and needs to leave, you should get out and come back in again rather than squash someone and breath heavily on them. Trust me, no one likes your morning breath!
3) Its ok to smile or show a cheerful face. You do not have to look constipated to ride the elevator.
4) Be respectful and allow people some personal space. The elevator will come back to get you later so don't force yourself in.

Kuwaitis are great:
They just need to wake up and smell the coffee sometimes ... Most of the time!