ALL over the world, city life is not what it used to be. Underneath beautiful skylines and magnificent facades, the foundation of society is crumbling. Many of the values we used to cherish have been lost or forgotten. Crime and prejudice have taken the place of peace and generosity. Selfishness and greed have replaced acts of kindness and compassion. People are more concerned with helping themselves instead of first helping others.
However, every day I live here in the Kingdom’s capital, I realize just how lucky I am to live in such a peaceful and secure place, where people are still courteous and many still do go out of their way to help others.
For instance, just the other day I’d let my schedule get the better of me and I found myself with a dozen things to do, all at short notice. Rushing into the dry cleaners, I anxiously asked the man behind the counter if he could have my abaya cleaned and delivered in time for a dinner I was to attend that evening.
Even though I was a bit nervous and on edge, the man stayed calm. In a kind, soft-spoken voice he replied, "Yes madam, it will be ready after Maghreb inshallah."
Then he asked me for detailed directions on the location of my home so he could have the abaya delivered as soon as it was finished.
Grateful for his kindness, I was feeling a bit more in control as I went back outside and flagged down a taxi to take me to run some errands around town. I recognized the driver as one who worked in my area frequently. I inquired about the well-being of his family.
In broken English he told me, "Saudia so much money. Life is good here for me. I live on little so I can send money back to family."
A sense of confidence and pride resonated from this slender bearded man’s voice.
He pulled over at the travel agency so I could inquire about some tickets and hotel bookings I needed. I entered the office and was immediately seated. The gentleman assisting me offered me refreshments as we began to discuss the vacation plans I was making. This is the kind of commendable hospitality found at many local businesses here in Riyadh. Having asked all I needed to ask, the travel agent walked me to the door.
Next, I ran into the neighborhood grocery store to pick up some food items I needed to stock in the refrigerator. When I finished, the checkout staff not only bagged my groceries but also brought them directly to the taxi.
This type of service is difficult to find in most big cities.
Before going home, the driver stopped by a telephone center so I could make a few calls. When I finished and went to pay, there was a problem. I only had large currency notes and the clerk didn’t have enough change. It was prayer time and the shops were ready for closing. But as it turned out I shouldn’t have worried. The man remembered me from the many times before that I’d come to the call center. He said, "No problem. Just pay the next time you come back." I thanked the trusting clerk and assured him that I would return again in the morning.
Getting into the taxi, I noticed that many people were walking to prayer. Fathers were taking their children to the mosques for afternoon prayers. I was confident that many of them would stay there to read and recite the Holy Qur’an, as most Muslims do. It is a blessing for all Muslims in the Kingdom that so many mosques are built around their neighborhoods, making it so convenient for prayer and worship. Religion helps to hold society together by reinforcing its values.
As we drove away, I looked out my window and noticed the traffic police patrolling the major street corners. They walked up and down the shoulders of the roads, making sure that drivers were obeying the seatbelt laws and educating those who still weren’t observing the new rules. The roads were jammed and the police were busy keeping the traffic moving. It was the end of a long hot afternoon, but the police officers were still working hard and had a smile and wave for the children who greeted them from inside the vehicles. Their presence and self-assurance made everyone feel safer and kept tempers in check at the busy intersections.
Then we were out of the congested streets and in no time were almost at my home.
Near the house, the driver asked me if I liked living here in Riyadh.
Without hesitation, I told him, "Yes, I enjoy it more every day. It is so nice to have a home in a beautiful place where one can still find small-town values in a big city."
