Before I lived those five YEARS in the KSA, my perception was like yours. Our media do a real hate-number on anything Arab or middle east. I don't know why--we are SO reliant on their petroleum.
Anyway, after living there for so long, my perspective changed. I worked with 30 Saudis and my boss was a WONDERFUL, kind, middle-aged Saudi man.
I met the usual jerks there, as one does throughout the planet. Jerks are non-denominational, with ANY nationality, EITHER gender and all faiths. But, I took'em as I met'em and mostly they were just ordinary people.
True story:
When I got there I found that in the mornings all the guys smelled just fine. The Saudis don't use deodorant, after-shave or jewelry. I don't mention the newer young punks but the standard Saudi Joe-Schmoes from Kokomo.
Anyway, I had a talk with my boss...that the guys stank by mid afternoon. That's when he told me about the deodorant. Saudi men DON'T use it because the deodorants were all made in the west and had heavy scents and the Saudi men use NO scent. They bathe, wear clean clothes every day but NO scent.
So, I went to the commissary, used only by us Americans, and got a hold of some ARID extra dry deodorant--UNSCENTED.
I took it to Mohammad and showed him...let him have it to show the other men.
VOILA!!! After a week or so, no more late afternoon stinky Saudis. They all used the UNSCENTED deodorant.
Hah, small victory for my nose.
Good move.
I do want to caution you from thinking that your situation in Saudi Arabia was on a par with the Afghanistan and Pakistan countryside.
I am sure you know this, but for anyone reading along, I think it’s worth mentioning.
Saudi is a more financially and modernized society, even if the Wahabbi (Sp / term?) sect is stridently anti-West.
It is true that not everyone is against us. The problem is that there is a reasoned percentage that are, and when they are they’ll do anything to hurt us.
Can’t take that lightly.
In the countryside of the poorer nations, the people are under pressure to deal with the terrorists. Whatever happens is our fault. And this breeds enemies, that in time will take a bite out of us.
It’s unfortunate, but you have to realize this and act accordingly.
Personally, I wouldn’t allow 30,000+ Saudis to be here on education visas. Osama Ben Ladin and other terrorists have been educated here, only to focus on us later with insight into our society they would not have otherwise had.
This is a problem I don’t see an answer to, other than avoiding exposure. I don’t like it, but then there are so few alternatives.