Oman was a pretty nice place in 2004 when I visited. The King was obsessed with "Omaniazation" or having citizens learn trades and skills, instead of buying everything (a la Saudi Arabia). He was convinced that the Oil wouldn't last forever and his people should be able to live in a modern civilized society. Of course they still outlawed booze and modern women's clothes (except in the hotels and private parties - some attended by royalty!) and, If I remember correctly, one of the kings nieces or nephews became ill after eating at some burger joint, so the next day the king had all the franchises closed, and they were still closed a few years later while we were there... but yeah, still a pretty nice place, and very nice people (in contrast to Saudi, or Bahrain, or a few other places where Arabs kinda look down their noses at everyone else but other Arabs) I'd actually go so far as to say the Arab people in Oman were as friendly and hospitable as the Persians in Iran (Persians are as friendly as Greeks, and the older Persian women have the same desire to feed everyone in their house).