In 1991 my DH spent a few weeks as a civilian in Saudi Arabia. When he left the pilot announced that they had left Saudi air space and the line formed for the women's toilet. In the women went with their long black robes and out they came in designer clothes and lots of gold jewelry . . . . and apparently the drink cart came out, too.
I worked with Vinnell from 1996 to 1999. It was illegal to date, no matter who. And there were many other strange customs for us. Reference to Bahrain, this is where the Matawa, (religious police) go for partying....Then back to Saudi to enforce the Koran.... A real gimmick they have...
In 1980-81, I spent a year there, courtesy of the US Army. Wasn't any different then.
the infowarrior