Saudi Arabia’s ambitious reforms have reshaped the economy and infrastructure, yet societal transformation remains a more complex and gradual process. For those who expected greater openness and inclusivity, the reality has proved more nuanced. While investment and opportunities surge forward, deeply ingrained social norms continue to shape interactions, adapting selectively to modernity.
This friction is something I know well. Returning to Saudi Arabia from Germany at 12, I found my upbringing—shaped by directness, structure, and a preference for clarity—often clashing with a culture where politeness can obscure meaning, and discomfort is rarely addressed openly. Decades later, I still navigate a delicate dance of expectations.
Even my physical appearance compounded the challenge. With mannerisms influenced by my years abroad, I was frequently misclassified as an outsider. This misjudgment reflects a broader societal instinct to tolerate rather than embrace difference—whether cultural, behavioral, or even physical.
Through my blog, I have sought to explore these dynamics, providing a platform for Saudis to share their perspectives on a society in flux. Yet engagement remains sporadic. Silence, rather than response, is often the default—contrasting sharply with my experience with Western audiences, who either accept or decline invitations to contribute. Even expatriates long embedded in Saudi life tend to absorb this cultural hesitancy, mirroring the norms of the society around them.
Such patterns extend far beyond individual interactions. In a culture where collective harmony is prized, deviation from social expectations often invites subtle forms of exclusion. This instinct for cohesion is deeply rooted in Saudi Arabia’s tribal history, where survival in a harsh environment depended on unity. Over generations, this evolved into a cultural framework that prioritizes consensus, often at the expense of accommodating divergence.
This dynamic creates an interesting paradox: while expressions of religious devotion are widespread, attitudes toward difference often reflect cultural traditions rather than universal principles of inclusivity.
A report by the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue found that 82% of Saudis believe tolerance is essential for societal harmony, yet many struggle to extend that tolerance to practices outside familiar norms. If religion alone explained this phenomenon, similar patterns would be seen across the Muslim world, yet Saudi Arabia’s historical, geographical, and social structures have shaped a distinct mindset.
Reforms have undoubtedly expanded personal freedoms and exposure to global ideas. Yet, deeply ingrained social attitudes remain resistant to change.
Many in Saudi society still perceive divergence from the norm as a challenge rather than an opportunity—affecting not just foreigners, but also Saudis whose views or lifestyles do not conform to mainstream expectations. Are Saudis inherently different simply because they are “Saudi”? Perhaps. The emphasis on harmony and avoiding conflict is a cultural trait, shaped by history and environment.
Personally, I found belonging in places far from home. In Germany, friendships were formed not despite differences, but because of them. This stands in contrast to the quiet exclusion I often experienced in Saudi Arabia, where social norms can suppress individuality in favor of conformity.
Nationally, Saudi Arabia is thriving. Economic diversification, infrastructure projects, and an ambitious vision for the future have injected energy into the country. Yet for these advancements to resonate on a human level, social attitudes must evolve in parallel. Tolerance among Saudis—both for themselves and for each other—needs to go beyond words and be reflected in daily interactions.
As Huda Al-Helaissi, a former member of the Shoura Council, once told Arab News: “What we are today is because of our past, just as tomorrow will be the result of our today.”
For Saudi Arabia’s transformation to feel complete, evolving social attitudes must complement economic growth. True change is reflected not only in development but also in how society embraces diversity in thought, culture, and identity.
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