Being Saudi: Culture, Aspiration, and Values
What do you value? What does any society value?
At a fundamental human level, most people around the world value similar things – quality of life, friends and family, culture and history.
Saudi is no different.
Yet, every society lives these values in their unique ways, reflecting their histories and unique cultures.
Saudi is no different. Often, the best way to learn about a place is to find out what makes the people there tick.
Again, Saudi is no different.
And fortunately, one of the clearest ways Saudis live their values is in their hospitality, a testament to the Kingdom’s safe streets and tightly knit communities, which encourage neighborliness and generosity.
Hospitality and Openness
Saudi dhiyafa – or hospitality – is justly famous for its generosity. Whether a host is fortunate enough to welcome their guest for three days, food included of course! (or just a humble cup of coffee with dates) Saudis pride themselves on being gracious hosts to friends, family, and acquaintances alike. This means a guest must never feel rushed, or that they are imposing upon their host, and that they can expect to eat, refresh themselves, and have shelter in need. But guests also have a short list of dos and don’ts, such as showing appreciation for the spread – having a nibble or a sip if you’re not hungry – knowing when to call it a day, and perhaps most importantly, engaging your host with some good conversation.
The Art of the Conversation
In fact, you’ll soon notice that the gift of the gab is highly valued in Saudi – the Kingdom of Poets. Historically, oral storytelling, poetry, and sacred recitations were highly prized, and those traditions continue. Today, Arabic is the fifth most spoken language in the world, but its origins in modern-day Saudi Arabia is evident in the people’s love for it. Music, poetry, satire, and wordplay are valued national pastimes in their own right, from time spent with friends and families to live shows, cinema, and competitions.
And this love of their language will be shared with any foreigner who takes the time to learn a few phrases and make an effort to use them. No one judges a visitor for getting lost in the intricacies of Arabic grammar, vocab, and code-switching (ahem, dhiyafa!), but getting an idea of the language’s richness and how the locals use it is always deeply appreciated and sure to invite more than a few compliments. Just be prepared to try out your Arabic skills with locals.
Home is Where the Kabsa is
Actually, be prepared for friendly questions about everything! Because Saudi or not, no matter your work or leisure plans, you can bet that the family will be asking about you! Even as more young people are drawn to the big cities for school and job opportunities, multigenerational households are still common in Saudi Arabia, and weekend and holiday get-togethers bring many extended families together. Family meals can be a news bulletin, revue, and history lesson rolled into one – and you’re not getting away without having seconds if grandma has anything to do with it. You can, of course, say no to the second heaped plate of kabsa, but that brings us to the question of why you might not.
Knowing your Roots
Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation has raised generation after generation of Saudis who strive to build on the success of their ancestors for a better future. Many of the Kingdom’s cities are centuries old – in Jeddah’s case, 3,000 years old! – and existed in harmony with agricultural and local communities, but as in much of the world, urbanization has supercharged change in the past half-century. Most Saudis will have heard stories of their grandparents’ relatively humbler beginnings and this makes them appreciate the strides their country has made in such a short time and value the new opportunities they now have.
Up and at ‘em
This isn’t to say they’re resting on their laurels – not by a longshot. Building on strong ties to family and heritage, Saudis pay it forward thanks to a culture supportive of the pursuit of financial success and independence. In recent years, the government also rolled out several initiatives to help entrepreneurs get past the initial barriers to financing a startup, like small business loans and deferred operating fees. And it has worked: Saudis of all ages are starting everything from food trucks and pet shops to tech startups and fashion lines. Small and medium-size businesses now make up almost half of all businesses in the capital, Riyadh, and their share is taking over the Kingdom.
Play
But what about after-hours? Saudi café culture really kicks off in the evening, when everywhere from specialty espresso cafes and fusion restaurants to Shisha lounges and traditional coffeehouses fill with young and old, working and retired. Whether catching a bite, whiling the night away with conversation, or sharing the excitement of a football match, enjoying the cooler night hours with company is a reliable constant in the Kingdom of Chill.
Unwind
If, however, your idea of winding down involves less concrete and more fresh air, there’s nothing like enjoying Saudi Arabia’s great and beautiful outdoors. A vast country with stunning views from coast to coast, taking some time to unwind in nature has always been the way locals enjoy the milder weather. A classic desert trip – or kashta – with a tent, an off-roader, and some friends, is best suited to the winter months, when you can spend the whole day taking in the tranquility of the dunes in comfort. During the summer, though, Saudis often pack up the car and drive to the cooler, green areas of the Kingdom. The mountainous western provinces of Asir, Taif, and Tabuk in the northwest – which often sees winter snow – are popular for hiking, camping, and picnicking away from the heat of the summer months. There’s even a growing rock-climbing community turning the epic cliffsides of these regions into an adventurer’s paradise.
Welcoming and Cosmopolitan
With the Kingdom’s openness and central location, you’ll find that many Saudis are very well-traveled and welcoming. As tourism and the wider economy have grown so quickly, many will have a healthy curiosity for why you might be visiting, be it sightseeing, work, study, or seeing family. But this dynamic is as old as time, because the Kingdom’s place in the world also means it has always been at the crossroads of international trade, from the time when merchant caravans carried spices and incense from the East to the West, to today’s fast-paced global commerce. Even before the mall and the stock exchange, the bustling, cosmopolitan souk was where people encountered different cultures and exotic products, and you can still spend a whole day exploring the perfumers, tailors, gahwa – traditional coffeehouses – and (it is the twenty-first century, after all) cellphone shops.
So, if there’s a topline for what Saudis truly value, it’s living life to the fullest. Yes, sometimes it does involve just kicking back on the beach, but as we’ve discussed, it’s also about so much more. It means you have the breathing room to chart a path to realizing your aspirations, being able to translate them into a good work-life balance, and having the bandwidth to pursue your passion, whether it’s art, sports, travel, or just a chill afternoon with a good show.
The boom in local tourism, sporting events, concerts, festivals, cinemas and the restaurant scene is the most vibrant expression of Saudis’ appetite for the good life. A fulfilling job where you can see a future for yourself is something most of us will strive for, but the grind isn’t just for the grind’s sake: It’s about building yourself a foundation to enjoy downtime with family, friends, or the new Elden Ring DLC (am I right or am I right?).
Most of us are defined by the values we hold – Getting ahead in life, sharing time with loved ones, exploring new horizons. These impulses animate Saudis as much as any other culture, but they find their own unique expression in the Kingdom of Passion. Saudi culture is distinct because all cultures are different in their own way, but look under the hood, and the fundamental values are much the same as the rest of the world. Family, respect, self-improvement, independence, leisure time, appreciation of the past and excitement for the future… What do Saudis truly value, then? Come on over and find out!
