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Short Story
Yesterday, I entered a Western bakery in an area near the capital that I had last visited about a year and a half ago. The bakery, as I remember, was large, elegant, organized, bright, with delicious aroma and display.
The bakery used to serve European baked goods like gateaux and croissants and such. But what I saw yesterday was a sad surprise.
The first shock was that the place was dark and gloomy, missing its delicious smell and brightness. Most shelves were empty, the decor was poor and cleanliness neglected. It looked more like workers’ housing than a bakery.
The baked goods had changed, the packaging had changed, and not for the better. To avoid embarrassment and being the only one there, I decided to buy just one piece.
There was one person in the front of the shop, and the baker was behind a short wall separating the storefront from the kitchen. I heard a voice asking “How may I help you?” The voice wasn’t coming from the person near me but from a head peering from behind the wall – it was the baker’s head. Why? God knows.
Meanwhile, the baker came out from behind the wall, and I wish he hadn’t. If it weren’t for the light plastic apron tied around his neck, I would have thought he was a construction worker or carpenter doing maintenance work.
His hair was disheveled with no cover, his appearance was depressing and plain, his open shoes were covered in flour dust, with toes peeking out.
I paid for my order and left.
In the evening, I went to an upscale shopping mall that I also hadn’t visited in a while. I passed by a large perfume and makeup store.
Usually, employees in these stores are carefully selected young men and women. They typically appear elegant, fit, beautiful, and energetic. What I saw yesterday was completely the opposite. Cooks, waiters, and nannies. Most of them appeared to be from that particular nationality.
This phenomenon exists and is widespread, recurring in various activities throughout Kuwait,
Despite having official bodies claiming to understand labor, workforce, human capital, and market needs. And claiming they’re working on transforming Kuwait into a global financial center, etc., etc.
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