Visiting

In Saudi Arabian culture, hospitality is highly valued. Saudis will generally go out of their way to make their visitors feel welcome. Saudis can extend invitations to their homes multiple times and early in a friendship. Acceptance is a sign of goodwill. It is inappropriate to invite someone of the opposite gender to one's home for a private visit without a companion.

Unaccompanied men should avoid visiting another Saudi man's home without first informing the family, in case they inadvertently intrude on the women of the house. If a Saudi Arabian wishes to invite an entire family to their home, the male head of the family will usually extend the invitation to the eldest male of the other family.

Men give women notice before entering a room where unrelated women are socializing so that they have time to cover up. For example, if a sister's female friends come to visit, her brother will say "Ya allah!" before entering the room. Male visitors are typically served by the youngest son or a male domestic worker, while female visitors are served by the youngest daughter or a female maid. When you arrive, you will be offered Arabic coffee and dates. A 'finjan' is a type of coffee cup (small cup).