Good day All,
Before coming to Kuwait, I saw on some forums that English is widely spoken here. However after being in Kuwait for a few months I could say its very low (2/10) and sometimes difficult to get around. Coming from UAE (8/10) and Oman (6/10), the level of English is much lower here. I am using a translator app and relying on my taxi driver for many things. In the UAE even when dealing with the police and government service English was not an issue. In Dubai findig something written in Arabic was a problem. In Oman outside of Muscat is when I may have needed help. In Kuwait, having a conversation that uses compound or complex sentences is a rarity.
Yesterday went to Zain in Al Kout Mall to get my bill details and the guy there said through the clerk wait for his co-worker. He could not understand anything I said. Anything to do with Co-ops supermarkets, strictly is a no-no. Several other stores, the staff is a lost when trying to get more than basic information. Many signs are only in Arabic. Kuwait is an Arabic country, but, to be global, use the global business language or at least be nicely bi-lingual.
Why not learn Arabic? I already speak poor Spanish and Thai. Not interested in adding a third when not needed (before).
What's your experience?