I’m 17, I just want to work and earn money Why is this so difficult in Saudi?

I’m 17, a Saudi student, and I wanted to start making my own money before school starts.
Today I literally went around asking businesses if they needed anyone. I told them I’d do basically anything—stocking, sales, café work, whatever.
I went to a warehouse and spoke to the workers/mushrif and eventually the owner. They asked my age and experience. When I said I’m 17 and a student, they basically told me they don’t currently have jobs and that if I had come during summer they could have hired me.
Then I went to another business, asked about work, and got told to contact their administration. Went to another supermarket and saw a younger-looking cashier working there, but I didn’t even ask because I wasn’t sure.
I’m not looking for some huge career. I literally want a few hours of work so I can earn my own money for my gym, clothes, food, room, and eventually put some money back into my own business.
I keep hearing that young people can work, so I’m genuinely wondering: how are Saudi high-school students actually finding these jobs? Is it mostly connections? Are there certain businesses that are more willing to hire students?
What frustrates me is that in a lot of countries, you commonly see 15–17-year-olds working part-time jobs and earning their own spending money. You see it in places like the US, Canada, and different parts of Asia. I understand every country has different rules and circumstances, but it makes me wonder why it’s so difficult for a student here to find even a few hours of work.

If you started working at 16–17, how did you actually get your first job?