Kuwait in 1962

This fascinating video begins by interviewing Kuwait students in London in 1962, before moving overseas to take a look at Kuwait itself – “a place which by the time you see this, the sky line will already have changed.” It’s a little bit long, but well worth a watch.

American Bedu writes about the process of childbirth in KSA and the US, particularly in regard to the role of the father. In the US the husband often holds the wife’s hand and helps to cut the umbilical cord. In KSA that would be unthinkable – and when friends come to visit the child the husband will often stay away so they can remove their veils and talk in comfort. During the first few weeks of childbirth American Bedu suggests that the Saudi women probably won't see as much of her husband an American women might, but that doesn't mean the Saudi male is any less caring...

Buj al Arab goes on a healthy rant. Why do drivers turn on fog lamps when they don’t need them? What’s the point in the authorities banning speeding when ‘almost all drivers have their own lane’? How come indicators ‘confirm’ a lane change rather than truly ‘indicating’ one?

Why can officials charge you for parking on the pavement, even when it’s on your own land? And why is it that Indians don’t look, but they cross quickly, whereas locals don’t look either… and cross very slowly!

Big controversy in Saudi-Arabia after an all girls school had the temerity to, well, play sports! Apparently '60 anonymous’ complaints were received by the schools Board of Directors in regard to the “unladylike” behavior. Susie of Arabia goes on to comment upon attitudes to sport and the “sedentary lifestyle” of the average Saudi women.

A British chilli farmer and pub owner crosses the three hottest peppers know to man… creating something described as “painful to eat”… “it can last an hour, and you just don’t want to talk to anyone or do anything.”