Saudi 101
The question I get asked most when I meet people is: What was it like growing up in Saudi Arabia? It used to bother me so much. I could never tell if people were genuinely asking. It's such an open-ended question and hard to answer. Where to start? I had a normal childhood because I only knew one childhood? And sometimes people are looking for comments on specific topics.
The question doesn't bother me as much anymore. Isn't it kind of wonderful to be reminded to reflect on your roots, your upbringing, your childhood so often?
So, I want this page to be a 101 guide to growing up in Saudi. EVERY SINGLE DAY, I'll add one observation. My goal is to reach 100 entries and have this become a page I can share with people who genuinely seem curious about my culture. Cultures vary significantly in Saudi Arabia, depending on location and social class. I grew up in Jeddah in a lower to middle-class family.
This post is not about politics or religion (though it's hard to be apolitical)
Please only read this if you are open-minded. Not someone quick to attack and pick on others just because they grow up differently from you.
1. Oct 5th, 2025: Insisting
To start, I want to share something quite funny because it's so true that it's actually listed on Wikipedia: "A big part of Saudi Arabian culture is insisting—insisting guests stay longer, eat more, etc., as a sign of respect and appreciation from the host."
I appreciate that this Wiki entry clarify that it is a sign of appreciation. Because last year I was attacked for that quickly and too often by someone who claimed I was controlling. I was hurt because I thought I was showing them appreciation and making them/guests comfortable. It doesn't make it wrong, and it doesn't make it right, it's my culture. If it offends, tell your Saudi you don't like it, but don't judge them as controlling.
2. Oct 6th, 2025: Separate gender entrances and sections in restaurants
And unrelated men and women were not allowed to sit next to each other. Growing up, we used to go to restaurants once a year; they looked something like this, which was depressing.
Smaller restaurants that lacked space for separate entrances and sections often ban women from entering altogether. This requirement ended in 2019! Since then, most restaurants allow us to sit together.
3. Oct 7th, 2025: Only 600k Saudi women worked in the year 2007
In my city, 150,000 women were employed in 2007, and my beautiful mother was one of them. Growing up, she was the only woman I personally knew who worked.
