the thing is the average person is always going to think of pleasantries before anything else, I know people that if you asked them about north korea they would talk about "the interview" and kims daughter being hot before any atrocities committed LOL
I understand the premise, the subconscious shift in view that they are aiming for, but in the end if you are not only aware but informed on the issues that have happened and are happening and still think of saudi as a progressive place of wonder then thats genuinely on you.