RIYADH/JEDDAH, 9 May — It is a fact that even expatriates who were born and brought up in the Kingdom, work here and finally retire here, do not bother to learn its language or get to know very much about its culture and heritage. How many expatriates can speak Arabic or have visited a museum during the last month? Saudi Arabia offers so much to those who have made this country their second home, but for the most part those guests just do not want to take up the challenge. It is not an exaggeration to say that most have not even bothered to read a book about the Kingdom.

A lack of access to research facilities could not be the reason. The Kingdom boasts several world-class libraries. The Riyadh-based King Fahd National Library alone receives 50,000 new books, periodicals and newspapers annually, and now has more than 800,000 books on its shelves. King Abdul Aziz Public Library, which is also open for expatriates, has more than 200,000 books in Arabic and 50,000 titles in foreign languages — as well as 2,000 books on the social, cultural and political history of Saudi Arabia. The library has also over 500 microfilms containing American and British archives relating to Arabian Peninsula.

The same is true when it comes to Arabic courses, which are offered free of charge at various academic institutions, including Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, King Saud University and King Abdul Aziz University. Dozens of private language schools offer year-round courses.

Expatriates contacted by Arab News said there was simply no need to learn Arabic because they could manage perfectly well if they spoke only English.

And what about the Kingdom’s tourist sites? How many tourists have been to Madaen Saleh? To Najran? To the Farasan Islands? To Hofuf? There are no longer any restrictions on foreigners visiting tourist sites, and there is no security threat. The Kingdom also organizes several cultural events, the most famous being the Janadariah festival. It is a celebration of Arab heritage and culture and has a spectacular camel race, 500 cultural events and a daily folk dance concert all only a 20-minute drive from Riyadh. How many expatriates can say they’ve been there, done that?

Expatriates from Asian countries maintain that they are sidelined by Saudis because of their economic background.

"They want us to work, but when it comes to interaction outside office hours they are nowhere to be seen," an Indian engineer, one of the oldest residents of Jeddah, told Arab News.

Not everyone agrees.

S.M. Arshad, marketing manger at LG Electronics, argues: "I’ve been here for the last 16 years and my association with Saudis has been close. Saudis open up once you gain their confidence. They usually measure you from your personal and country background. If you are in the habit of confining yourself to your community or clan, you shouldn’t blame the locals for not getting to know you."

Filipinos are generally not interested in interacting with Saudis after their work.

"Seventy percent of our people pursue sports activities once they return from work. They either play games like basketball and tennis, or sit around watching them," said Gil Manese, president of the Filipino Basketball Association and secretary-general of Kasapi Congress.

"It’s not that I’m not interested in visiting museums, but I have no time. I’m busy six days a week from dawn to late night. When I have a holiday on Fridays I just devote my time to my family. We head for the beach and relax the whole day," an Indian living in Jeddah said.

He added that the admission prices for museums are prohibitively expensive.

"How can I afford to pay SR35 for each of the six members of my family?" he asked.

And recalling his visit to the Beautiful Creatures Zoo in Jeddah, LG Electronics’ Arshad said: "It was a horrible experience. I found the zoo filthy and personally felt like giving the elephant a shower! It was a pathetic sight, with animals defecating all over the place and no one cleaning it up. How do you expect me to visit the zoo again? How could I recommend it to others?"