ROSO

Submitted by DONALD EDLIN (United States), Mar 10, 2017 at 12:09

I lived in Kuwait for 4 yrs after the Person Gulf War ('91 - '95). A number of my clients were members of the al-Sabah Royal Family. On one occasion during a weekend brunch with one of the Emir's brothers (yes, I admit to being a name dropper), the conversation included Kuwaiti customs & education. The sheikh proudly spoke of the advances in public education and how he applauded the influence of western teachers & staff having effected those advances. As he continued making points, I asked him . . . "How long do you think it will take the middle-class Kuwaitis to reach our 'Western' level of cultural maturity ?"

He paused for a moment pondering my question ( I realized I just might have over-stepped the bounds of protocol) and then looked straight at me and asked me . . . "How long did it take your country to reach that maturity?" I said . . . "a couple of hundred years but we are still evolving." He smiled & replied . . . "My Father was still riding camels in the desert just 60 yrs ago - but I know it won't take us 200 years!" He laughed, and I laughed with him.

And - He was correct. And - my embarrassment was assuaged.

Hurrah for the ROSO !!

Don Edlin

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