The dewaniya or diwaniya was the reception area where a Middle Eastern man received his business colleagues and male guests.
Today the term refers both to a reception hall and the gathering held in it, and visiting or hosting a dewaniya is an important feature in the culture of Eastern Arabia.
[citation needed] The Dewaniya served an important purpose in the development of Kuwait over the last 250 years by facilitating quick communication and consensus building among other things.
There are many type of Dewaniyas that have evolved from the original archetype and they differ only in terms of the groups they serve and the level of formality.
[citation needed] The Dewaniyas are the core of Kuwait's social, business and political life, the places where topics of interest are discussed, associates introduced, alliances formed, and similar networking activities undertaken.
[citation needed] Many people were wondering how does major deals are closed or initiated in Dewaniya, and why does that happens in Kuwait specifically.
And Businessmen, Banks chairmen, CEO's of multinational corporations, they all receive their guests weekly or monthly in their family dewan or private dewaniya.
[citation needed] People who visits a decision maker in his dewaniya, it force him by tradition to gently listen and be open to what they say.
The elders of the family are usually in attendance and sit at the head of what is usually a U-shaped hall to welcome guests and lead the discussions.
In modern Dewaniyas, you would find the luxury of the espresso machines, cappuccino and mocha for more convenience visitors.
[citation needed] Starting from dates (fruit) that you find most Dewaniyas offer, till sweets.