Waste of time?  You're the one who keeps talking about Saudi and no where else.  

"try to dress western. Or drive a car. Or shop alone."
Did you ever drive across the causeway from one of the Aramco camps to Bahrain?  Tell me what you saw there in regards to women driving, dressing, and shopping. I spent a fair amount of time outside the malls, but I'm wondering if you spent any time outside of your Saudi camp.