Appendix III: The AWSIT

INSHALLAH:

A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR PRIVILEGED KUWAITI
YOUTH ATTEMPTS TO STRADDLE A CULTURAL DIVIDE (continued)

Appendix III: THE AWSIT

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APPENDIX III: THE AWSIT

Figure A3.1: The AWSIT

The AWSIT (Arab-Western Situational Interview)

Interviewer’s Direction: I’m going to tell you about some situations. In each situation, I want to know what you would think, say, and do. If you need me to repeat the question, I will. It is perfectly allowable to say you would "do nothing." There are no "right" answers for any of these questions, so say your own best answer. Your answers may appear in my dissertation, but your name will not be revealed. For all questions male names are "Abdullah" and "Mohammad," and female are "Sheika" and "Noor." Unless otherwise specified, all students are 17.

1. Unlike your family, your cousin's family recently had some financial problems. Their daughter, Noor, still wants to go to the University. She comes visiting with her family and hints that she needs financial help. [K, Y, OS]

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract.
2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

3. Abdullah laughs when he hears someone say that Mohammed may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

4a. (student version). Sheika, a friend, has written all of the answers down to the test on a piece of paper which she wants to give to you. "Mr. A will check me. Give it back when we get inside."
4b. (adult version). Your neighbor teacher, Ms. A, claims she must leave this afternoon to attend a conference at her daughter's school. "If anyone asks for me, tell him I'm at the library." Ten minutes later, the principal arrives asking for A. [Ei, Y, S]

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

6. Two cars collide, and the men inside get out. After threatening and almost screaming at each for ten minutes, while the other men hold them back, the two men get back in their cars and drive away. [K, T, OS]

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says, "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

8a. (student version). After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis.

8b. (adult version). After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with people of the same race [Western]/nationality [Arab]. [Ei, Y, OS]

9a. (student version). After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go.
9b. (adult version). After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

10a. (student version). Your class started at 7:20. It's now 8:00, and you're coming to the door.
10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 7:20. It's now 8:00, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

Figure A3.6: Spreadsheet Data for the AWSIT

Complete Interviews for the ASWIT

The interviews are arranged in the following order:

(A) Arab teachers, A-E
(B) ADM Students, A-T
(C) Western teachers, A-E

The number after each response indicates its scoring with 5 as the "extreme Arab" response and 1 as the "extreme Western response."

General Directions Given to All Participants:

The AWSIT (Arab-Western Situational Interview)

A. Arab Adult Interviews

Subject: ARA
Nationality: Lebanese
Gender: female
Religion: Druze
Experience at school: 3-4 years

"Yeah. What would I do? I'd participate. I give her some money. Part of it anyway. I'd lend her some money." {4}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"It depends. If I’m happy here, I won’t go. I’d study the offer." {2}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"How am I supposed to comment on that? In Kuwait, I won’t comment because I don’t know the situation here." {DNA}

4b. (adult version). Your neighbor teacher, Ms. A, claims she must leave this afternoon to attend a conference at her daughter's school. "If anyone asks for me, tell him I'm at the library." Ten minutes later, the principal arrives asking for A. [Ei, Y, S]

"I’d tell him ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t want to get her in trouble. She’s a colleague. She’s in charge of her act." {3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Yeah. If I’m in the States, this is normal, but here in our culture, no this is different. He’s still connected to the family. He has to do things in common with the family. Otherwise, if he does things to go against them, he’ll not be accepted as one member of the family." {4}

6. Two cars collide, and the men inside get out. After threatening and almost screaming at each for ten minutes, while the other men hold them back, the two men two get back in their cars and drive away. [K, T, OS]

"Yes (laughing). They are stupid. They could’ve resolved this conflict according to the law without all of this fuss."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"It depends to what extent. It’s okay for girls to hold hands with boys. It’s not important, but there are limits for these relationships." {3}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Lebanese. [Ei, Y, OS]

"So I just tell him he has to mingle with other nationalities. He has to mingle with other cultures. He has to try to meet with others. The world is not only Lebanese." {R}

9b. (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"He’s seventeen? I would listen to what he says. If by this stage, there’s no responsibility, it’s useless. I’d hold him responsible for his decision. If he’s younger, no." {2}

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I won’t do it. I won’t put myself in this situation." {N}

Subject: ARB
Nationality: Palestinian
Gender: female
Religion: Sunni
Experience: 1 year

"I'd give her advice. Yes. Why not [give her the money]. If I can give her, why not." {4}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"It’s according to my condition. Maybe I agree, and maybe not, according to my family situation." {3}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"His behavior? I don’t agree with his behavior. [It's] silly. I wouldn’t believe him. I wouldn’t agree. No, I don’t think so. It’s in studying and not in wastah [that grades come]." {4}

4b. (adult version) Your neighbor teacher, Ms. A, claims she must leave this afternoon to attend a conference at her daughter's school. "If anyone asks for me, tell him I'm at the library." Ten minutes later, the principal arrives asking for A. [Ei, Y, S]

"(laughing slightly) In this case, I’ll not tell the principal. If he asks me about her, I would just say ‘I don’t know.’" {3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I don’t say anything. I don’t agree with what he said. If I gave him advice, he would not listen to my advice. In our culture, it’s not acceptable for any person to say to his father: ‘I’m free to do with I want.’ Yes, I disagree with that." {5}

"I haven’t any comment. It’s disturbing."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Yes, it happens. It’s okay." {2}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Palestinians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"What I think [of that]? What’s wrong with that? I encourage him (to do well in school)."

9b. (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"I think I would advise him not to go. First, I talk to my son. If he agrees with me, I don't let him go. If he doesn’t, then I talk to the school to check." {3}

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I’ll go and tell him that I’m late. I’ll give him some excuse why I’m late. If it’s a bad reason, still I tell him." {N}

Subject: ARC**
Nationality: Palestinian
Gender: male
Religion: Sunni
Experience: 7+ years
**Translated interview

"I will help with the money." {5}

2b (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"If I’m doing fine in my recent school, I will not go. It depends on my current situation." {2}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Wastah is something wrong. I’m not with Abdullah, and I think Abdullah is not telling the truth. {5}

4b (adult version). Your neighbor teacher, Ms. A, claims she must leave this afternoon to attend a conference at her daughter's school. "If anyone asks for me, tell him I'm at the library." Ten minutes later, the principal arrives asking for A. [Ei, Y, S]

"(laughing). I will tell the principal she’s out of the school. I will not lie for her." {5}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"We as Arabs, this is not acceptable. I personally think this is unacceptable. It is I and the culture, for both this is unacceptable. This age is very critical, and students are not mature yet and cannot live alone yet. They may fall into traps and follow bad advice. After the university, after he gets his degree, then he can make decisions." {5}

"This is totally wrong. They should’ve stopped and called the police."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"No. If he said, ‘He’s my friend,’ it would be okay, but in our culture ‘boyfriend’ means more than that. I reject this." {4}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Palestinians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"This is wrong. He should meet with other nationalities and cultures. I reject this." {OK}

9b. (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]*

"If the trip is pre-planned and is still going on, I would allow my child to go. If he’s still planning to go, he’ll go. I would tell my son, ‘I heard so and so and it’s dangerous to go, and if you still want to go, then it’s your decision.’" {3*}

* I think the ambiguity of the situation was lost in translation. The word "danger" could not imply that, perhaps, students might get into trouble, like smoking, meeting the opposite sex.

10b (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"This is impossible. I never come late. I’m very punctual. If the appointment is at 0830, I’d rather go at 825 and be sure." {N}

Subject: ARD**
Nationality: Syrian
Gender: male
Religion: Sunni
Experience: 7+ years
** Translated interview. In addition, the respondent did some drawings as he talked which I cannot include.

1. Unlike your family, your cousin's family recently had some financial problems. Their daughter, Noor, still wants to go to the University. She comes visiting with her family and hints that she needs financial help. {K, Y, OS]

"I would help because they’re my relatives." {5}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I would check if the country is safe and if the offer is better, and if the whole situation is better, I would go." {3}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"If the academic evaluation is done very well, no wastah will intervene. In my work situations, this is always the way. The students can predict their grades on the basis of their class work. Wastah is rejected. I don’t believe Abdullah." {4}

"I wouldn’t lie for this situation. I would refuse to do this." {5}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"It’s okay to have this situation. At this point, the child is prepared for this life. In the words of the Prophet, life is divided into three portions of 7 years each: ‘teach him, advise him, guide him, and set him free.’ So at this age, let him make his decisions. I’m not against this attitude." {2}

"I will not interfere. Others are in charge. They should seek the help of the policeman. Both of them must have some mental problems or this wouldn’t happen."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"According to our traditions and culture, this is totally rejected." {5}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Syrians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I already have two students studying in another country [very different in culture from the Arab world and the US], and they have lots of friends of different nationalities, and I always keep advising them to meet with people of different nationalities, even Jews." {R}

9b. (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]*

"I trust my children, and if I heard something that worried me, I would talk to the children. Even if I heard something was dangerous, and they still wanted to go, I would let them take their adventures. I would take the child’s word for it." {3*}

* I think the ambiguity of the situation was lost in translation. The word "danger" could not imply that, perhaps, students might get into trouble, like smoking, meeting the opposite sex.

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"This is totally wrong. The boss has many appointments. It would not happen. If it did happen, I’d call on my mobile. If I didn’t, I’d tell him and give an honest answer." {N}

Subject: ARE**
Nationality: Palestinian
Gender: male
Religion: Sunni
Experience: 7+ years
** Translated interview
I’m told that many of the answers here involved long and detailed comments regarding philosophy and background which the translator generally did not put into English.

"In our culture, those who have should help those who did not. It’s like a tradition, so I would definitely help." {5}

2b (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I will ask about it. If it’s good, for the benefit of me and others, I would take it." {other}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"I don’t believe in wastah. It’s not true. Only those who deserve to pass will pass." {5}

"I will not lie for this person. I would say to her ‘I will not lie for you.’" {5}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I will set him free, but I will guide him and I’ll advise him. Otherwise, it will be a total disaster and cause destruction. I will keep on advising him because everyone needs advice from whoever has the maturity." {3}

"If someone makes a mistake, he should admit he made a mistake."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Everyone who hears this should investigate and not be taken by rumors. This is against our traditions, but such people should be advised and counseled by the teachers and parents." {5}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Palestinians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"These are good questions. Since we’re all living in a world that is one, we should accept others religions and points of view. I would tell my son to mingle with others and learn from them." {R}

9b. (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"Yes. This is normal. From such trips, you can gain and learn. If you can gain a lot of information, he may not prioritize his information [due to the danger]. I would advise my child to be careful. So I would tell him ‘Go and take care’ because the trip is good for him." {3**}

** I think some of the ambiguity of the danger disappeared in the translation.

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"This would never happen, but if there’s an emergency, I would never lie. It never happens to me." {N}

A. Student Interviews

Directions Given at All Interviews:

Subject: SA
Status: freshman
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: yes

"I will ask my father to come help them. As a minor, I can't help them. If they have enough money for me to go to the university, then, I can help them." (4)

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"If the money they give me is high, and if the opportunity is good, better than I have in Kuwait, I'd take it." (4)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"I'd tell him 'Sometimes there is no wastah in some fields.' Sometimes [the remark] is true." (2)

4a (student version). Sheika, a friend, has written all of the answers down to the test on a piece of paper which she wants to give to you. "Mr. A will check me. Give it back when we get inside." [Ei, Y, S]

"I'd tell her it's wrong. Maybe I'd get caught." (5)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"It's kind of right, but he also has to obey his father because he [the father] had eighteen years of making him what he is now. Well, it's half right and half wrong." (3)

"They're dumb. The police could've come in the ten minute they arguing. The people who're holding them back should've called the police."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"She's doing something wrong. It's against customs and our religion." (5)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"That's okay for him to hang around with anyone he wants to." (Other)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I'll ask him, and if there's a good reason, I'll stay. And if there's not a good reason, I'll try to convince him. I can't go against my father." (4)

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"If I have a reason for being late, I should state it. If not, I should accept the consequences. If it's my fault, yes, I'd tell." (N)

Subject: SB
Status: freshman
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I will give her that money." (5)

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I'll ask my parents if I can work in the UK, but if I have a chance to work in Kuwait, I'll work in Kuwait." (4)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"I think it's wrong. Wastah can't do everything. No, I wouldn't believe him." (4)

"I'll not take it. That would be cheating." (4)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I think it's wrong because maybe he'll do something wrong with his life." (5)

"I think that it's bad when they should. They should talk with no shouting. They should respect one another and find a solution to their problem."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"I don't agree with that. I think it's bad. It's against our religion. You can't do it." (5)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I think it's okay." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"Then I don't go." (5)

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I think it's bad because I missed class. If I had an excuse, maybe I'd say something. If I was sleeping, no [I would say nothing]." (N)

Subject: SC
Status: freshman
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I would take her alone, and I'd offer her some money." (5)

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I would tell him; I would think it over. Then, I'd find out about the company, and then I'd say." (4)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"I would tell him not to say that because everyone has their own way of doing it. Maybe he has wastah, but everyone has their own way. Yeah, maybe he has wastah." (2)

"I would tell her not to give it to me. I would not want to have anything to do with it. I'd get in trouble too." (4)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I wouldn't say anything. He's wrong. In Kuwait, you're always your parents responsibility. He's always going to be your father, and she's always going to be your mother. That's in Kuwait." (5)

"That's good. They just forgot about it."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"I think that's wrong, and that's really bad." (5)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"That's his opinion if he wants to do that. I would do that." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I know how this feels. I cried, and I left the house, and I went outside. They didn't let me go." (5)

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I would apologize for interrupting class, and I'd sit down. If it was a good excuse, I'd tell the teacher. If not, I'd just shut up and sit down. I'd tell her later. I wouldn't lie; well, it depends." (maybe)

Subject: SD
Status: freshman
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"She must go to the university. Yes, I’d help her." (4)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"Yes. I will work for them." (1)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Yes. I think he’ll never fail." (1)

"I will give it to her after Mr. A checks her. Yes" (1)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I can do what I want, but I want some advice from my parents. I agree." (3)

"They need to talk, say the situation, and solve it."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"No. She should say 'he’s my friend.' That’s not acceptable." (4)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"He must hang out with Americans so his speaking is better and his personality will be better." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I think that I should go. Yes, I will talk to my father and explain." (2)

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to [Am, Y, S]

"I would apologize to the teacher. I would explain why to the teacher. I would tell the truth." (N)

Subject: SE
Status: freshman
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Palestinian
MUN: no

"I would talk to my parents, and I would tell them to help. I think they would help, and I would do anything I can to help." (5)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I would think about it for awhile because there are reasons I would want to go and reasons I would not want to go. A reason I would want to go is to experience more in life, meet more people, learn more things. The reason I might not want to go is that the community in the UK is different, and I might have problems. I think I would maybe go just to have some experience in life." (3)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Umm, as observer, I would be quiet. The only thing I would be annoyed about is there is wastah used in this school. I would not believe him because, no, it might not be true." (2)

"I would take it and throw it away. I wouldn't want my friend to be cheating, and I wouldn't want my friend to be cheat or anyone in the class to be cheating. What if someone in the class got a grade that they did not deserve. I would take the paper and tell her I'm not going to use it, and I would throw it. If she minds, I would tell her to 'get lost,' because I told her what I think and why, and it's her problem." (5)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I would just be quiet because it's none of my business, but I don't think it's your life just because you're eighteen. There are a lot of people still involved in your life. If you're in college, you're still taking money from them. At eighteen, you're still not old enough. You're still not working. It's not the age to be doing what you want." (4)

"I would be quiet because it's not of my business. Because I'm just a observer of what happens, and I don't know what happens. They might've gone to the people."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"She's talking about Abdullah and Noor. She's seventeen, so she's old enough. It's none of my business, but I think that if she's telling the truth, she shouldn't be saying anything because it's between him and her." (3)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Palestinians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I would tell him that it's better to hang out with other people so that he would have enough experience. He shouldn't just hang around with his Palestinians, and he should know more people, and I wouldn't like my brother to be the kind of person who only hangs around with a certain kind of people. He should mix with other people, and other people might not be what you think they are. I would talk to him and maybe talk to my parents too." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I would know why, and if not, I would ask him why. I think that if my father should say 'no,' there's a good reason for that. Even if there wasn't a good reason, I would listen to him, and I know my father would only want what's good for me. If it's not a good reason, I would stay after him, and I think I would get him to go." (3)

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I would hurry up, and I would apologize, and I think I would have a good reason for being late. I would tell the teacher if it's not a good reason. I think the teacher would know the kind of person I am and if I would have a good idea, if my excuses are good or not." (O)

Subject: SF
Status: sophomore
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I'd give her the money that she needs because college is very important. Maybe when she grows up, she'll give me back the money." (4)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I would first go and see the company. If it was good, I would go to work for it." {2)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Sometimes wastah can do anything. At the same time, maybe he'll study, and maybe he'll pass." (2)

"I'd tell her 'I do not cheat, and I do not want to take from you any piece of paper, and if you get caught, you'll be in big trouble.'" (4)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I think he said something wrong. Maybe when he becomes 19, he'll come back, he'll meet his father [and know this]." (5)

"I don't think the men who're shouting need to shout. They need to just resolve the problem. The shouting will not resolve anything."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Maybe Abdullah does not want Noor to tell, but if he does, then that's not okay [having problem understanding the situation]. I have no comment." (Exclude)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I would tell him not to hang too much with Kuwaitis because he needs to see other people from other nationalities to understand other nationalities and to learn from them more and more." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"First I'll ask him why, and if he has a good reason, I'll not go. If he has a good reason, then I won't go, but if it's a small problem, I might talk him into it." (4)

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I enter class, and I apologize to the teacher. If he lets me come in with no problem, then I come in. Maybe, he'll give me minus. I'll worry that I'll lose grades. If you come late a lot of times, you lose a lot of grades." (N)

Subject: SG
Status: sophomore
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I would tell me parents, and my parents would probably help her." (4)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I'd work there for two more years." (1)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"He's just like.... Wastah doesn't do anything for a person's grade. I think he's jealous or something. He can have wastah, but it is not going to do anything-unless the teacher's bad." (2)

"I'd do it, but I wouldn't approve." (2)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Um. I'd say, 'He's your father. You're supposed to give him credit for raising you and stuff.' He's his father. He's supposed to do what his father does and says. He [the son] is being kind of selfish." (4)

"They should get therapy-seriously. Nothing happened really. There were supposed to be discussing like the car payments, but no they're just yelling and screaming. It's not going to help them anyway."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Good for her, but if she wants him as a boyfriend, she'd better keep it to herself. She's not supposed to walk around and tell people that." (2)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis.. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I think it's okay if they're not any bad influence on him, but if they're like skipping classes, if they're just having some...It's better if he hangs around international kids, so he can like make friends and everything." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I'd still go anyway. If he says and he agreed, then it's settled. My father isn't like that. Basically, this would not happen." (2)

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I'd just walk in and sit down and say 'good morning.' I'd tell her why I was late, and if the truth is like really bad, like I slept the whole time, I'd tell her 'I had a car crash.' If the truth is I went to the dentist or I was sick, I'd tell her." (lie)

Subject: SH
Status: sophomore
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"It's not my money. So I would just stay quiet. Yes, my father would give her the money." (5)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I will not work with them. I want to work in my country." (5)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"What can I do about it? I would think that. I wouldn't think anything. In my country, I would believe Abdullah, wastah [can] do everything." (1)

"If she's a friend, I will do it, and if there's a chance, I'll not be caught. I will do it because she's a friend. I will do it." (2)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"It's a wrong thing to do. Your father paid for everything that you ate and your school for eighteen years. So it's a wrong thing. You must ask him for permission to do it. You must respect him." (4)

"I won't do anything. It's normal to shout when you have a car accident."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"What should I do. I will listen. So Abdullah's her boyfriend. I'd think: 'so'" (1)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"It's his choice, but I would give him advice to meet with people from other countries. It's a chance to meet with other cultures, get to know them, but it's his choice." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I will ask him why, and then I'll respect what he says." (4)

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I'm late. So what. I must've had something. Of course I would tell the teacher 'I'm sorry 'cause I'm late' because this will like be the right way to enter the class. If it's my fault, I'll tell him an excuse, one he can believe." (lie)

Subject: SI
Status: sophomore
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I would try to help her by telling my parents. Maybe my parents would give her something to help her go to the university." (3)

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"No. I would never go. When I finish the university, I would want to come back to Kuwait and settle here." (5)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Maybe he's right, but sometimes this wastah doesn't work." (2)

"I would never take it [the paper] from another person [like Sheika]. No." (5)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Maybe he can do what he wants but under the supervision and guidance of his parents." (3)

"Nothing happened. They just screamed. They didn't hit each other. They should react in a more polite way."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"That's completely wrong for me because I live in this culture. If I see them, they would be really abnormal to the culture I see. It's not acceptable." (4)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"That's not so right. He should meet more than one nationality, so then he can know more about Kuwait. That's a problem here in Kuwait. People who are Kuwaiti they spend more time with Kuwaitis than other people, and that's not completely right." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I will try to convince, but I won't do something he wouldn't agree to. But if he agreed to let me go, then he thought about what could happen to me before he agreed to let me go. If I could convince him, I'd get him to change his mind again." (3)

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I would be scared because I was never late in my life. I would knock on the door and say 'sorry' and if the teacher had anything to say, he would say it." (N)

Subject: SJ
Status: sophomore
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
nationality: Lebanese
MUN: no

"Okay. In the university in Lebanon, they have a box for financial problems. She can put her situation in that box. As for me, I would tell her to try her best. I would tell her to try looking at another university where you can get a university [education] at a lower price. I would be discreet, and I could mention this to my parents." (3)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"Yeah I'd go." (1)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"First, I don't believe in wastah. You and I know that Kuwait is wastah. Hard work and effort is best. No, I would not believe Abdullah is telling the truth." (4)

"So? Maybe sometimes, I will. Me, after so many years, you know that if you cheat, it will turn on you. You'll get a good grade, but so what? You want to learn. I'd tell her to keep her paper with her and do my own thing." (3)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Mr. A is talking about the situation in the USA. When you turn 18, you can go and be free, but for me. No, when I'm married and responsible. When I'm 18, I'm not responsible." (4)

"They're stupid. Screaming and shouting is not the only way to communicate. Ten minutes is a long time."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"I think differently than the other kids in the school. I believe in 'love,' so whatever they want to do, just keep it under control. It's okay if it's under control." (2)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Lebanese. [Ei, Y, OS]

"So? It depends on which university. I would tell him to go and have fun with other people, get to know their habits, their lives." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"First of all, I would ask him why did he forbid me. If it's for a good reason, I would say 'okay,' but if it's for a bad reason or something, he thinks it's bad, I would say 'okay.' Because my father, he knows what's right and wrong for me." (5)

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I believe in punctuality. I think it's wrong. I would apologize. No, I wouldn't give an excuse unless I have a [real] excuse." (N)

Subject: SK
Status: junior
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"Well, I’d go to her family, and I’d ask how well she was doing in school, and if her future was bright, if she has a goal, and if she has a goal, and if she does, I’d financially help her." (4)

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"Well, it depends on the job. If it’s a job I really want, then I’d take it. If it’s not, it’s not; then I wouldn’t because I’d rather work in Kuwait." (3)

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Well, I don’t really know what to say. I might not know if Abdullah really has wastah or not because if he does, I don’t think they would let him pass a whole really important subject, instead of failing, it because he has wastah." (2)

"No, I wouldn’t give it back. I wouldn’t participate because cheating is wrong, and [harms] the people who studied and worked hard, and she didn’t work hard, and she has the answers, they would regret that. She’d get an ‘A’ for something she didn’t do. School is all about learning and stuff like that, and she’s not doing anything." (5)

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Well, it’s not really HIS life. They brought him to where he is. Even though he’s eighteen, twenty, or sixty-five, his parents are still responsible for his life and what he did, and what he did for himself. Yes, I disapprove." (4)

"Well, I don’t know. It’s none of my business. I don’t know them. I would think that they should be civil and talk about this and try to find out who is responsible. The one who is responsible should pay their bills through his insurance or whatever."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Well, in our religion that’s not really allowed. So I’d tell her that what she’s doing is against her religion and against her family’s values. I’d tell her that not only is that going to ruin her and her reputation but her family's reputation as well." (5)

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I’d tell him that what he’s doing, it’s none of my business, but what he’s doing is going to ruin his future. College is all about learning how to get a job and how to raise a family and take care of your wife and take care of your life, so they can have a better future. Only Kuwaitis? Then he’s racist. Maybe he only likes Kuwaitis, and maybe has no other friends. He should have friends all over the world. When you have different friends, it kind of educates you." (R)

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I would be devastated. I would go and ask him because if I really wanted to go, I’d ask him ‘Why’ because there has to be a logical explanation. If there isn’t, I’d hold a grudge against him (her father). Yeah, I’d try to talk him into it." (3)

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I’d say how sorry I am. If I was late for a long time, I’d make up an excuse, but then I’d regret it because I was lying. I’d probably say the truth." (N)

Subject: SL
Status: junior
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I would help by giving her some. I would have to know about the problem first. Afterwards, I could go to the place she wants to go and be with her. I would help her with working somewhere. I would give her money. I would work for [the money to give to] her, and the money I would give to her." (5}

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I don’t agree (to leaving)." (5}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"So it’s about the wastah? I don’t agree with the wastah. I don’t like the wastah." (DNA}

"I don’t take the answers. I will not take it from her. I will refuse to take the paper. No, I wouldn’t help her." (5}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I don’t know. I don’t agree because doing the thing without asking his father or his parents is doing something wrong." (4}

"No. They have to go to the police station. What they did is something wrong, and they have to learn from it."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Maybe she loves him? I don’t know. I think she has to tell her parents first about her boyfriend, and then she can do anything." {3}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I don’t have any comment. It’s not good. He has to have another relations, not only Kuwaitis." (R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I would agree because he’s my father. He knows the right thing to do." (5}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"After the class, I would go to the teacher and tell him why I was late. I would tell the truth [note: the student was late to this interview]." (N}

Subject: SM
Status: junior
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Palestinian
MUN: no

1. Unlike your family, your cousin's family recently had some financial problems. Their daughter, Noor, still wants to go to the University. She comes visiting with her family and hints that she needs financial help. [K, Y, OS]

"Umm, of course, I would help her. For something else, I don’t know, but she needs to go to the University, and I need to help her because that’s part of her education. Depending where I am, I would contact my father, or I would help her myself." {5}

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"First, I would feel excited. It would be really good to work right after I get out of the University, but first I would try to do what I wanted to do, but if that didn’t work out, I’d take it." {3}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Umm. That is disappointing because wastah gets people into a lot of trouble. It should be equal because like some people try really hard to pass courses. Other people don’t try hard and get better places than those who try hard. Wastah really is ruining everything, and it’s not a funny issue because wastah ruins everything." {1}

"I wouldn’t take it because I don’t like cheating. If she wants to cheat, she can cheat. I’m not going to stop her. It’s own grade and her own life, but I won’t help her." {4}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"It is supposed to be your life when you reach eighteen, but I wouldn’t say that to my father. I’d ASK him to do what I wanted to do. I’d ask him to do what I wanted to do. If he gave me good reasons to stop, he’d stop me. If he gave me reasons that didn’t really satisfy, I would negotiate, but I wouldn’t do it [anything with which he disagreed] behind his back." {4}

"That’s a kind of normal situation. What I would try to do is calm them both. I would try to calm both of them and get to a logical explanation and see what’s right and wrong, and whomever is wrong should apologize and get everything right."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Depending on which country, it would be different. If I was in the States, that would be normal. In Saudi Arabia that is ‘haram’ [forbidden]. In Kuwait, it is ‘haram,’ but still I think people do it. I don’t really know because people need to date to know each other." {2}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Palestinians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I don’t care who he hangs around with because whoever you make friends with is still your friend no matter what, no matter the religion or what. As long as you don’t contradict one another, he’s still your friend." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"First of all, I would get angry. Then, I’d try to reason with him and find a logical explanation. If there’s no reason, I’d just stay [home] because I can’t do anything else. If he just didn’t want me to go, I’d try to build up an argument, but if I still couldn’t go, I’d be angry." {2}

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door.

"If I had an explanation, I’d give one. If I didn’t, I’d try to make one up [note: student was about five minutes late to the interview] to not get up in trouble. But it is a wrong thing to do, and I would most likely apologize to the teacher, and if he was going to take off points [our previous policy], then he has to because I was late. There’s nothing I can do about it." {N}

Subject: SN
Status: junior
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"Is it overseas? I would tell her no. It’s better to stay here in Kuwait." {DNA}

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I would take the job. I would come to Kuwait in two years." {1}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"No. No wastah for fail[ure]. Maybe he’ll take you from B to A from F to D, from fail to pass. No." {2}

"I will take the paper because she’s my friend. Everybody helps out." {1}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"This is totally incorrect. Your father knows better than you. He knows forty years, and you know only eighteen." {5}

"This is silly. That’s stupid. Like, yanee, they can go. They have money. There’s no big damage. No problem."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"That’s totally wrong. I don’t agree with that even though I sometimes do it. It’s totally wrong. It’s against our religion. You can’t hold hands. You can’t see a woman without a hijab. Maybe you can look once (by accident), but you [will] want her, you [will want to] touch her, that’s wrong." {4}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"That’s wrong. That’s wrong. I will tell him to stay with Americans, people not from Kuwait. People from Kuwait they go into wrong things. Part of the time is okay. You must see families and like friends from Kuwait." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I will argue with him, but if he didn’t change his mind, I’d say no problem. I would be hurt because I really wanted to go." {4}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I’d be in a bad situation. I’d be embarrassed. I’d apologize and see what I can to help the teacher to not be mad at me or minus marks. I would tell him [the truth]. If it was right, I would tell him. If I was like sleeping, I would tell him why I'm late." {N}

Subject: SO
Status: junior
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: yes

"My family would help her. Yeah, my family would help her. Also, if, for example, my father has connections with the University faculty or teachers, he'd try to tell them to help her financially, if they could." {5}

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I don’t think I would agree because I want to work in Kuwait close to my family." {4}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Yes, this may happen, especially in our school, I don't see many who fail except for one or two situations, Yeah, it would happen. Abdullah may be telling the truth, but even if he is the son of the principal, if he continues to fail, he'll be kicked out of the school." {2}

"No. I won't help. I don't do or support cheating." {5}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"In Kuwait, this doesn't happen. Our parents don't force us to work in a corporation. It's usually the children who want to work as their fathers do in their family's company, or if they don't want to, they'll talk with their parents and come to an agreement. [Mr. A] is not a Kuwaiti, of course." {4}

"I don't know. If the fault is from both of them, this may happen, but if it was one side's fault, I don't think this will happen because the one side will make the other pay for the damage. We don't have the insurance where you just show the car insurance. The wrong party pays."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Well, this may happen, but of course not at our school. It may happen in extreme American or English schools that don't have many Kuwaitis in them. Of course, I'll be very angry, and I wouldn't allow that. I'd try to talk to the boy and tell him that's not right. That's totally wrong." {5}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I'd tell my father, of course. He'd advise and pressure him to study along with going [around] with Kuwaitis, but he must bring home good grades. If the only problem is him spending time with Kuwaitis, there is no problem." {OK}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I can't do anything about it. Of course, I will talk and discuss, but the first and last word is him." {5}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"Well, (laughing), I would come to class and the class would laugh, of course. The teacher would ask you 'Why were you late?' With me it's usually the school bus which arrives late and ruins it for others, or the car gets in an accident. The class's reaction would be to laugh. The teacher would be, of course, angry. If it was not the bus's fault, I'd say like 'Sorry, I was late.'" {N}

Subject: SP
Status: senior
Student: male
Religion: Shia
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I would help her. I would give her what she wants because it's her future." {4}

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"No. I wouldn't work. My family is in Kuwait, and I have my own business in Kuwait with my family. If I didn't maybe." {4}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Uh. This is the truth. In Kuwait, wastah is stronger than failing. Not actually in the school, in Kuwait University, you can get an 'A' and sleep at home. About this school, I wouldn't believe it." {4}

"Actually, if I'd necessary, I'd take it because she might help me. Around the world maybe 70-80% of the students cheat. If the test is hard, and I hate the subject, I'd help her." {2}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"This is wrong because in our society when you're 18 or 21 or 30, and your parents are still alive, you should be respectful and never say that and hear what they say. You have your freedom to do your small business, go out with your family, but you want to do some big things, you can't. But the truth, there are some who say that, 'I'll smoke in my room, and I'll drink, and my parents can't do anything.' Actually, sometimes yes and sometimes no, I don't agree. Sometimes your parents may disagree with your opinion and let you down. Your parents may think about something else because they're old. Like going to the university in America. You know that you can just apply for your visa and go. They don't know. They think after September 11, maybe something would happen....When you tell your parents [the opposite] they say, don't believe them, they're wrong." {3}

"This is good. This is the right way. If they fight, what will get there, and if they fight, and go to the police station, within an hour 20-30 people will know they fought. Therefore, everyone should be careful and take care of his name and his family name."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"This is very wrong. In our society, this is wrong. A girl, especially she says, this is wrong. Even if she didn't have a relationship, a sexual relationship, this is still wrong. It's very hard for girls like this to get married, but there are a lot of girls like Noor, who say this, but this is wrong. I don't believe in this, and I don't like this.

"Also, when I see girls in our school holding boys hands who don't relate to them, it's like a shame (on them). When she sees a guy who relates to her, she moves away. She doesn't do it in front of him [her relative]. This is a problem with what's happening." {5}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"Well, it's his own business, but I prefer he hang around with Americans, Europeans, to get to know international people because it's better to have international relationships because they help him.

"My father studied at the ____ state University. He roomed with him for four years. Now, his friend has a great business in Detroit. When we go to him, we still know him, and he's a great guy, but he's almost a millionaire. His financial situation is great." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I'd like to ask him why, and if he gave me a good reason, I would respect him. If he gave me just nothing, I would go. I would sign [behind his back] for permission and go. This is the truth." {2}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"No, I don't like it. Well, I deserve the punishment but not the big punishment to call and say 'your son was late.' The big problem is that always I am asleep...What can I do? Mr. ___ doesn't believe me that this is the reason I'm late. I'd tell him I'm late. I was a late a lot in 10th grade, but always 2-3 minutes. After 10th grade my father told me some words that [not wishing to translate them], but I respect my father, and I'm much better now." {N}

Subject: SQ
Status: senior
Student: male
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"If I’m really rich, then I’d probably help her. If I was poor, I probably couldn’t help myself. If I was a little rich, I’d probably tell her to apply for financial aid, which she obviously needs, or a scholarship. She should work hard to get a scholarship." {3}

2a. (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I’d take that. Well, actually depending on the salary." {2}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"What would I think of this? I think it’s just wrong. Well, obviously, he has to know what he’s doing in order to pass. If he doesn’t in the long run, it’s going to effect him anyway. Other than that, I think it’s wrong." {4}

"I’d probably do what she tells me to. I don’t know. It’s her problem. On the test, then I don’t have a paper. She has a paper. It’s her paper. I don’t know, after all, if she’s going to use it on the test or not." {2}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"That’s true. He’s eighteen: he can do whatever. Yeah, I agree with him." {1}

"That’s stupid. They just stood around wasting each other’s time. They could have done something, or even done something other than just screaming."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Noor’s in love. So? I don’t care. It’s her life." {1}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I’d tell him he’s pathetic. He left his country to be with different people. He’s stuck with the same people again, so it doesn’t make any sense." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I’d probably make him let me go. I’d make up things because I want to go. I’d talk him into it." {2}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door.

"I’d explain why I was late, and if there was no reason, I’d make up something." [note: this student came late to the interview]. {lying}

Subject: SR
Status: senior
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I would speak to my parents because she is my cousin, and I would try to let her go to a university, but not a very expensive one." {4}

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"Yes, I would go because it’s a good experience. When I come back, every company would hire me because I have experience in the UK and Kuwait. People would want outside experience in the UK and the US." {1}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"It’s true. If he had a lot of wastah, Abdullah must speak to the teacher and tell him it’s not fair. So then other people who fail can get the same grade as people with wastah." {1}

"I would tell her: ‘Look at this outside and don’t bring it in. Look at it and memorize it and then take the test.’" {3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Yes and no. It’s true that he can do anything he wants, but it’s good to take other people’s opinions, and he could speak to his parents because they have more experience in life." {2}

"They should have had a fight and stopped. They should have spoken politely and the one who’s wrong…"

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"She shouldn’t have his hand because in Kuwait you can only hold hand of your husband, your cousin, your brother. If he’s your second cousin, you shouldn’t. Kuwait it’s wrong to catch anyone or to have a boyfriend. I would go speak to her, or I would go speak to her parents or older sisters." {5}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"It’s good to have some friends from Kuwait outside in the States, but it’s also good to go to a foreign University and have other cultures, you know, and have different point of view about some things. But it’s also good to have time with Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis, but it’s better to spend time with non-Kuwaitis because in Kuwait you can spend as much time as you want with them." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"I would get mad because I wanted to go, but I would want to know why, but if he would tell me some of the reasons, I think I’m going to say yes [to not going]. [I’ll get] a little mad, but there are many things to do inside Kuwait." {4}

10a. (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"If it’s a good excuse, I would tell them, but if it’s bad, I would lie [note: student was on time for this interview]. I would say it’s a car accident." {lying}

Subject: SS
Status: senior
Student: female
Religion: Sunni
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: yes

"Well, I’d go to my parents room, without my sisters and brothers. I’d talk to them about what Noor hinted, and how her family is having financial problems and what she’s been saying, and I’d let my parents do the rest. Most probably my father would lend her family the money." {4}

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I’d have to ask my parents first. It depends on me first, but it also depends upon my father because he decides if he wants me to stay or not stay, but I wouldn’t have an exact idea what he’d say. He might say yes because it was a nice idea, but he might have to worry because I’m a girl, and he’s worried about his safety." {3}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Eh. It’s not something that’s…I’ve seen this happen so many times that it’s something familiar now. Wastah in Kuwait. It’s like water. I wouldn’t do anything about it, but I think it’s pathetic because everything in Kuwait has to do with wastah. Yes, it could definitely happen in a school." {1}

"I wouldn’t let her give me the paper because that would put me in trouble because if he ever caught me. That’s just too [in]discreet. I know she’s a friend and everything, but I don’t think I should do this for her." {4}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"I would never say that. I just think that Mr. A talks to his father that way it’s disrespectful. I would never say that to my father because for eighteen years he’s supported me and sheltered me, and I think that’s just disrespecting him in many ways by saying that." {4}

"I think nothing about this. This is just something that happens usually in Kuwait. They never do anything. If they did anything, like the fighting, it would be exciting, with the fighting with everything, but I just ignore everything like this because it's not interesting to me."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"If Noor is joking about this, then I wouldn't do anything. But if what she did say it's true. In Kuwait for someone to have a relationship at age seventeen, it's not against the culture, but it's not exactly in our culture. Like many teenagers in our cultures do that, but it's pathetic. Therefore, I would call my friend, my very trustworthy female friend, Noor, and we would discuss the situation, or maybe we'd laugh at it. I wouldn't spread the word." {3}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"This one, I'd understand the reason why he's spending so much time with Kuwaitis. Maybe he's feeling homesick, or he misses his culture. When he's saying with a group of other Kuwaitis, in a way, he's not interacting with people from other cultures, other nationalities. He's not learning from their culture, their situations. He's not experiencing America, an international people. I would encourage him to meet other people and to talk with other people, but I would understand why he wants a Kuwait atmosphere." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go.

"I'm very emotional, so the first thing I'd do is cry. Then, I'd have an outburst. I would sit with my father alone in a room, as usually arises when something arises involving the father and the daughter and the father and the son, and I'd ask him for a logical reason; and if there's no logical reason for him not letting me go, if he's hiding something. If he's hiding something, I'd try to fish it out from my mother. And if she won't tell me, I'd tell my oldest brother or oldest sister, to try to get them to ask me why he doesn't let me go. If that doesn't work, I'd just cry and be angry, and I would speak to him. In the end, it all comes down to my father, and if he doesn't let me go, I'd, like, get him back. I'd, like, do something go bad, like if he doesn't let me go to America and makes me stay in Kuwait, I'd do bad in class." {3}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"In Kuwait, there are public clinics and hospitals. Now, what I usually do is go to a public or a private clinic to get an excuse. I have a private clinic I go to. I'm a very good actress. I exaggerate and I act, and make myself appear sick....The private doctors say 'Ah-ha, you have something for the money.' He gives me the paper for the pharmacy and a late paper for school. I throw away the paper for the pharmacy, and I have the paper for school [giving a late excuse and time]. I go to school, and I tell the nurse." {lying}

Subject: ST
Status: senior
Student: male
Religion: Shia
Nationality: Kuwaiti
MUN: no

"I'd help her. If I had the chance and I had enough money, I'd help her." {5}

2a (student version). After finishing school in the UK, a professor tells you that a company in the UK wants to hire you and offer you a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"I would agree. It's a thing I want [to work] outside my country and get more experience. So I'd take this contract." {1}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"I don't know. Sometimes yes, but most of the times no. Wastah can work at some times. Abdullah is probably wrong [about wastah getting Mohammad to pass]." {2}

"Honestly, I'll take it. Not every time, but I'd probably do this if she was my friend. Yeah, I'll help her." {2}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"No. I wouldn't agree with him because still I'm not mature enough, I need financial help, a place to stay. I can't develop myself alone when I'm eighteen. I need to graduate first from a university." {4}

"This is a good thing. That's what should happen. They shouldn't scream at each other and solve problems quietly, but it's a good thing they didn't fight."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"Noor she can't do this. This is illegal in our religion, so she must not." {5}

8a. (student version) After a long conversation with your brother, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Kuwaitis. [Ei, Y, OS]

"No. He shouldn't do that. He should go out and try to have conversations with other people than Kuwaitis so he can learn more about different cultures." {R}

9a. (student version) After agreeing to let you go on a much-anticipated student trip, your father suddenly forbids you to go. [K, Y, S]

"My father doesn't allow me to go? I'll try to know why he doesn't want me to go. If his reason, I can understand it, I don't mind. If I didn't understand it, I'd be mad, not mad, but I'd try to convince him to let me go." {4}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I'm late? I'm late. I couldn't do anything about it, and I'd try to explain it to the teacher. If it was a bad reason, maybe I'd give it, sometimes." {O}

Western Adult Interviews

General Directions Given to All Participants:

The AWSIT (Arab-Western Situational Interview)

Subject: WA
Nationality: Canadian
Gender: female
Years in Kuwait: 1

"I don't know why Noor is asking me for money. I guess it would depend on what I believed was her need for money. Was it real or just a money grab. This is coming from someone who doesn't like her family very much. Most of my cousins have more money than me. It would have to be on a loan basis, if all of the criteria worked out." {3}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"Am I breaking my contract? Because of my situation at home, I'm not planning to accept another contract. Unless I had an offer that paid me a ridiculous amount of money, I would not take it." {3}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Sadly, I've been here for a year. You're probably right since a student I know fits this situation. It's still hearsay. I wouldn't be surprised if Abdullah was right." {1}

"Well, I'm not going to cover for her. It's one of these 'don't ask-don't tell situations.' I mean, I'm not going to go rat out A.' If someone comes asking for A, then I would tell."{3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"My reaction is 'Good for you. Why are you talking to me.' I figure if you're not living in your parents house, that's true. If you are, it's a different story." {2}

"Now I know I'm in Kuwait. I can't even imagine stopping look at something like that. It doesn't strike my as worthy of conversation. It would be more fodder for conversation for Canada in which lunacy on the road is not so rampant."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"My first reaction would be, 'How can he be your boyfriend if he's not your cousin?' My first reaction to that is that Noor is a bit of badass; Noor doesn't come from one of our families at our school. I wouldn't think a whole lot: it's normal elsewhere. I think a lot of kids here wish it was normal. Lots of the grade 9 girls talk about their boyfriends, and there's much debate about whether it's true or not." {2}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with whites. [Ei, Y, OS]

"First of all I didn't raise him that way. If he was doing that intentionally, I would try to find out why. There had to be factors involved. I'd try to find out why and if it was coming from him. I think it was actually conversation worthy." {R}

9b (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"Well, I guess there are a lot of factors in that question. If we're talking about terrorist threats, then the trip is off. If we're talking about drug use or behavior on the trip, then that means my supervision is necessary. If I could, I would take leave from my job and accompany my child. I would inquire with my child, school, other students parents. If it was drug use or something like that, information would be forthcoming from my kid’s peers." {3}

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"Well, I guess that happens. Am I caught? Immediate apologies. It won't happen again. Hopefully that is not my track record. It's not my record in real life." {N}

Subject: WB
Nationality: American
Gender: female
Years in Kuwait: 1

"What would I think? They must be in a desperate situation to come to me, and I’m obliged to help them if this is someone I had any type of relationship with. If they have come to me for the benefit of the child, and this is any child I have any degree of affection for, I am morally obligated to help them. It doesn’t mean help them with any kind of problem, but I think that I should help them…to go to school." {3}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"It would depend on if I thought they would be a good administrator or not and how closely I felt for the present school I was working for. If I’d been planning to leave and find a job somewhere else, then it might be a good decision. It would depend. It would need more information, but I know this is a popular practice, but I would need to know more." {2}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"I probably just wouldn’t say anything. I don’t think I would make a comment. What would I think? Out of the mouths of babes. When students discuss wastah, it is something that exists internationally. It happens in the US. Kennedy’s don’t fail. Wastah is an international age-old concept." {2}

"’I haven’t seen her. I don’t know.’ In order to make myself neutral, I don’t why to lie to someone, I don’t want to lie for someone, and I don’t want to rat anybody out, I’d say ‘I don’t know.’ It’s not my job. I don’t want to tell on someone, and I don’t want to be involved in their life." {3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Well, how successful is Mr. A, I wonder? If Mr. A is happy, great. I would probably make a sarcastic comment to myself. People say stuff like that all of the time." {1}

"What do I think? It was kind of wasted emotion, and they put it on for the public. It was ‘all for show.’"

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"I would ask Noor about this date to know all about it, and (giggling) I would be very happy they were not already related." {1}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with whites. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I don’t think you have to have a mandatory token black or Asian friend. It wouldn’t bother me. A good friend is a good friend, regardless of their skin tone. I wouldn’t say ‘Why don’t you go out and get an Hispanic friend.’ It would bother me if he expressed some form of bigotry. It would make sense if all of his friends were white because as my child, he’s also white. I would be more concerned with why he had specific friends and their interests, and race would be at the fringe of it." {R}

9b. (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"If I were seriously concerned, and they really wanted to know, there’s a point at which I’d be a parent, and I’d say ‘As much as you want to go on the trip,’ if I’m honestly concerned about the trip, and my concerned had not been appeased by the school. For example, if I was concerned about my child’s safety, and the school could not alleviate my concerns, then my child would not go on the trip. And I would do my best to explain this to my child. I’d say, ‘I’m your parent and I’m concerned, and I love you anyway, and that’s why you’re not going on the trip.'" {3}

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I would immediately begin babbling and apologize and offer a reason for why I was late, a truthful explanation for why." {N}

Subject: WC
Nationality: Australian
Gender: male
Years in Kuwait: 3

1. Unlike your family, your cousin's family recently had some financial problems. Their daughter, Noor, still wants to go to the University. She comes visiting with her family and hints that she needs financial help. {K, Y, OS]

"What I would do is, I would take up her cause possibly, approach herself, her father as to the details. It would depend on what kind of cousin, how close she is; it depends. It depends also on how they’re doing year to year, so it obviously depends on that. The initial step would be a meeting with the father to take up on that hint." {3}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"My current position needs to be assessed first. It would very much depend on my situation in Kuwait and how my life in Kuwait went. It would depend upon how I saw my future here. It wouldn’t be question of just going off." {2}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"This is something we have here as far as we go. I would be respectful of my own feeling which is that it shouldn’t go on. Even though it does to a far greater degree than it does where I come from. This is just what happens. It happens here. It is almost a status symbol to openly boast about.." {1}

"Hm. I probably will tell where the teacher is at. I would feel in no position to act. I would probably say where she’s at, but this is a very difficult one, a very, very difficult one."

{4}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"From my perspective, this is something that happens and is said. We would tend to accept it. I don’t know how I would react if it were my own son, but I know that this happens." {2}

"I can see it here. I suspect the initial outburst was about who was in the right and who was in the wrong, and each was trying to blame the other. They’re trying to display themselves with their connections. Maybe they had equal ‘pull.’ So who’s to blame is rather problematic. They haven’t sorted it, but they’ve decided it wasn’t worth pursuing."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"This is unusual that they want to talk about it, but I’d let them talk about it. I don’t know what they’d actually get up to doing as couples. I would be surprised they want to talk about it in public, but I would listen. I wouldn’t want to say this is right or this is not right." {3}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with Anglo-Australians. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I would, given the very diverse background as a child I come from, I would actually find that quite normal, even exceptional. He would normally have access to a whole variety of cultures [in his normal life], so that would be an expansion of his horizons. I would not think anything of it and say ‘why aren’t you mixing with others,’ ‘why aren’t you mixing with Indians.’ He would have to find his own way, based on his own culture, based on his leanings." {R}

9b (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"I would discuss these concerns with people who were discussing the trip, possibly the child. Having had all of this enthusiasm to start with, I would say [to him] ‘these are concerns.’ I would try to talk to the organizers of the trip as to what these concerns were because these concerns need to be taken into consideration, and I wouldn't make any decision until it was clear what was coming." {3}

10a (student version). Your class started at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I tend to be punctual for the most part. Therefore, there had to be a very good reason for me not to be there on this occasion. That’s not the sort of thing I do constantly. So there would be a reason. There would have to be." {N}

Subject: WD
Nationality: Canadian
Gender: male
Years in Kuwait: 0.1

"It would depend on how close I am with the cousin and the kind of background she had if she was a serious student. It would depend on her makeup. If she’s someone who’s going to go to college and just ‘squeak by,’ It all depends." {3}

2b. (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"(pause) There is a lot of unknowns here. If it’s a female, I wouldn’t go. If it’s a male, and we’re really good friends, I wouldn’t go. If it’s a male whom I respect as a teacher, I’d consider it as long as I’m not in violation in my contract. If I have said to the director of the current school, I will stay for four years, even if my current contract only terminates after two, I would keep my word." {2}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"Wastah is the word for political clout? I’d deal with the student and his marks first, and [then] the wastah. I’m sure there is some truth as the kids know each other, but if I’m gonna fail him, I’m gonna fail him. Then I will deal with whatever comes later." {DNA}

"(long pause) I would probably tell A that I wouldn’t cover for her, but if that’s the truth [that she has the appointment], I’ll cover her because that is a legitimate excuse. I will tell her that ‘if someone comes I will tell them you are at a conference.’ I can understand mothers working, fathers working, that kind of thing. I won’t cover for you and lie." {3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"Yeah, that’s okay, provided that when the consequences come back, you don’t ask Dad for help and forgiveness." {2}

"Looks like they solved it. Well, they should wait for the police. So I think there’s a law being broken, but if they want to yell and scream at each other and take of it. If they’ve solved it and drive off, then more power to ‘em."

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"(Long pause) Well in my culture that’s okay. Personally, I don’t think that people should ever discuss private matters [in public]. So holding hands talking about their last date is wrong. No problem with the relationship." {2}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with people of the same race [Western]/nationality [Arab]. [Ei, Y, OS]

"I think that’s wrong. He should make a point of trying to open conversations with people of different ethnic backgrounds. I think he’s doing himself a disservice. I think that makes the word 'university’ redundant, doesn’t it. I would have to have a talk with me. Are there any people of African-American origin on your floor, or I would go over and visit him, just sort of check out who’s there and who’s not and why." {R}

9b (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"(Pause) I think being my child, I would have to go with what he or she said. I would confront my son or daughter with ‘This is what I heard.’ And I would rely on that trusting relationship." {2}

10b. (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"I’d have a tremendous feeling of guilt about this. I’d feel I’d put myself to lose his respect. I obviously knew about the appointment; I knew it was there. I put myself in a position with my boss, and I’ve chosen to ignore this. I’d apologize for being late. It depends. If I’m walking through because of that crash [in problem # 6], then I would’ve called to tell him what was going on. Cover every angle. If I woke up late, I’d apologize." {N}

Subject: WE
Nationality: American
Gender: male
Years in Kuwait: 4

"Hm. Well, that actually happened to me, but not with my niece. I don’t know. I would not THINK it’s my obligation. I would certainly show some sympathy, and I would tell her how working would build character. I doubt I’d give her much money. I’m not sure it would be good for her anyway." {2}

2b (adult version). A departing teacher will soon become director at a school in another country. He invites you to come along with him for a two-year-contract. [Am, Y, OS]

"Hey. Go for it. Unless the school is really bad, I’d want to go. Besides, I know the guy already, so there’s a certain amount of guarantee, so I would think ‘Good.’ I would say, ‘Great,’ and I would ‘Go.’" {1}

3. Abdullah laughs when hears someone say that Mohammad may fail a required class. "Are you kidding," he says, "with all of his wastah, he'll never fail." [K, T, S]

"That sucks. That’s the kind of stuff that brings down our school. Okay, so I would think ‘It’s terrible.’ I would say, ‘He shouldn’t do that. It’s ruining the school.’ I would probably do nothing, though I might report it if I thought it would help.’" {1}

"Hm. That’s a tough one. A lot would depend on our relationship, I think. So I would think, ‘I hate lying,’ I would say, nothing if I could get away with it. What I’d do I’m not sure." {3}

5. Mr. A says, "When I reached eighteen, I told my father 'Hey, it's my life, and I will do what I want.’" [Am, T, OS]

"That’s a little hard on Dad, but he’s right. It is his life. So I would think, ‘he’s right.’ I would say, ‘Yeah, I would agree with you,’ and would do nothing, but he’s right, you know." {2}

"How pathetic! Typical of Kuwait. Can’t they even fight or sue or something? I would think, ‘how silly,’ I would probably say, ‘that’s stupid,’ and I would ‘do nothing,’ but I pity the fools if they hit my car!"

7. Noor and Abdullah are not related to one another, but Noor holds hands with Abdullah and says "He's my boyfriend." She explains the date she spent with him the previous week. [Am, T, S]

"What a hot little couple. Boys and girls will be boys and girls. I would think ‘Okay, so long as they stick to holding hands,’ I would say probably nothing unless they went beyond this in public; I would do nothing." {1}

8b. (adult version) After a long conversation with your son, you realize that at the University he is spending all of his time hanging around with people of the same race. [Ei, Y, OS]

"Hm. That’s not what I believe in really. Okay, so I would think, ‘I hope he’s not becoming racist,’ I would say something like, ‘son all people have value...’ and I would maybe go to the university and check a bit." {R}

9b (adult version) After hearing your child talk for months about the upcoming school trip, suddenly you hear some information which gives you some serious concerns about the trip. [K, Y, S]

"Hm. Another tough one. I would think, ‘I have to be careful, but I can’t just cancel on him,’ I would say, ‘Son we need to discuss this trip,’ and I would do a double-check on the trip." {2}

10b (adult version). Your new boss wanted you in the office at 720. It's now 800, and you're coming to the door. [Am, Y, S]

"That’s not good. I would worry a lot. I would think, ‘I hope I’m not trouble,’ I would say an apology for wasting his time, and I would do whatever it takes not to come late again." {N}

Continuation

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