We travel east and west outside Saudi Arabia. While at foreign airports, we stand for hours waiting in queues. We abstain from smoking in public places such as airports. We respect signs and regulations, and encourage our families to do the same. We also smile while abroad, and when we stand in queues, we sing songs instead of cursing and shouting ensuring that we behave well and do not cause trouble.
While eating at restaurants abroad we eat and behave respectfully — something that is markedly different to how we eat in public places in the Kingdom. We also put things back in their proper places before leaving. We always have in mind that one can be imprisoned or fined for violating regulations while abroad. We avoid throwing rubbish on streets and ensure not to run red lights, something we are never bothered about while being in our own country.
We respect traffic rules, avoid changing lanes without giving signals. Sidewalks and pedestrians are respected. We always fasten our seatbelts and never needlessly honk our car horns. Outside Saudi Arabia we become totally different. We change from inside and wear different clothes. We become polite enough to greet strangers. We get rid of our anger and rigid feelings. While abroad, we practice the real Islam becoming honest in our sayings and actions. We start respecting women and do not harass them.
But, once we head toward the Kingdom, we are a changed people. We replace the smiles on our faces with a stern look. We start to look for trouble with others. On planes we create problems with flight attendants and make a big deal about our women sitting next to unrelated men.
Men start creating problems, because they want all their family members to sit next to them. Families let their kids play inside airports and disrupt peace. Women start creating problems with their husbands, accusing them of looking at other women.
This is a glimpse of the contradiction that we have. There are surely more.
