How do people adapt to live in Rub al Khali?

Answer 1

If you're talking about Saudi people or Arabs in general, its not that challenging to switch to the Saudi way of life. Yes, it's different, but you'll learn the Saudi way to do stuff and after a while, you wont see them as difficult as you first thought.

As for non-Arabs, they don't have to adapt that much. Foreigners live in their own compounds and have their own separate life-style. Within the compounds, it would seem as you left Saudi. They don't restrict themselves to the Saudi dress-code, their schools are co-ed just like abroad, they celebrate Christmas and new years, they have their movie theaters, and they even have their supply of alcohol. They only need to adapt to the weather. Even if they leave the compound (for shopping, restaurants, etc) the guys could wear their jeans but the ladies must wear the abaya (black cloak) on top of what their wearing. They don't need to cover their heads, the abaya is worn as a respect for the culture. People won't mind whatever the foreigners are doing simply because they are foreigners. Why should they obey Saudi culture rules if they are not Saudi? the only thing required from foreigners is to respect the conservative culture (No nudity, drinking in public, making out .. etc).

Answer 2

People have adapted to the climate of Saudi Arabia by wearing light clothing that offer cooling and coverage from the sun. They also have built cities near fresh water in order to maintain life within the desert climate.