What do the people of Pakistan think of overseas Pakistanis?

[Pakistanian]

So true tbh. As I said before. Most of my friends here are white or have recently moved to Canada

Doesn't classism exist in Pakistan? Don't priveleged Pakistanis look down on the middle class Pakistanis? These attitude stem from desi culture. Don't act like you hang out with people from different social classes in Pakistan.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Doesn't classism exist in Pakistan? Don't priveleged Pakistanis look down on the middle class Pakistanis? These attitude stem from desi culture. Don't act like you hang out with people from different social classes in Pakistan.

You make way too many assumptions my man. Who are you to judge me and say I look down upon and not hang out with people from different social classes. My drivers son is like a brother to me and there are numerous other examples. I feel no shame in hanging out with the poor people in Pakistan. I’ll admit that some Pakistanis do and I have a problem with that

 

[Pakistanian]

You make way too many assumptions my man. Who are you to judge me and say I look down upon and not hang out with people from different social classes. My drivers son is like a brother to me and there are numerous other examples. I feel no shame in hanging out with the poor people in Pakistan. I’ll admit that some Pakistanis do and I have a problem with that

Yeah um, i don't ever see rich Pakistanis and middle class ones hang out. My cousins who live there tell me that what school you go to in Pakistan in Pakistan defines your social class and pretty much your value in social circles. You may be an exception to the norm.

 

[DeadBall]

Buddy don’t even go there. Americans are well known for having some of the laziest people in the world. We do make use of it. There is a lot of domestic tourism. Perhaps for some people “surfing, amusement parks and skate parks” is the definition of fun. But for others it’s hanging out with friends late at night while drinking chai and eating amazing food. Who are you to decide what fun is? Your Americanized version of what is fun is not universal. There is a lot more to life in Pakistan than just sleeping during the day as you put it. I have lived abroad for 6 years of my life and know enough people who have lived abroad for a substantial period of time to know what life is like in different countries. Most if not all of the fun that can be and in America can be had in Pakistan. Even if you talk about partying, I’ve been to parties in Karachi that blow away any I’ve been to here in Canada. They’re hardcore and the taboo aspect makes them even more fun but that’s for a different discussion. The only difference is that the poor people in Pakistan have it really bad unlike the poor here in Canada who can still access a lot of entertainment, and I wish that weren’t the case. Though I’ve seen content and happy poor people in Pakistan as well

That was basically what he originally said.

However I do agree with Pakistanian that Western idea of fun is more regarding sports and having a more active life while Desi meaning of fun is getting together for chai and food which their Western counterparts do too btw(get together for food and drinks that is) but have a more sporty lifestyle.

The availability of various recreational options available is also a reason.

 

[Bilal_103]

I moved to Canada when I was 5 years old but our parents always taught us about our roots and our people. I would say most of the Pakistanis in Canada are very humble you have some arrogant ones of course but I wouldn't look down on someone regardless. When I visit Pakistan I dont even tell anyone iam a foreigner but they figure it out

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

This.

Although it may be true in a general sense but it isn't the reality in all cases.

For example I'm quite sensitive and I'm one of those types who is really affected by what people think of me. I've lived a very hard life with several illnesses and disability but have still tried my best to succeed in life. Alhumdulillah I got educated and graduated from university etc and I remember my parents and freinds were all over the moon for me especially since they knew the hardships I faced.

Glad to know that you and your family are happy with what you have accomplished in your life. Support of immediate family is very important and can definitely help you in life when you're going through a rough patch.

However, I was shocked to see the attitudes of my cousins who lived abroad who never congratulated me and passed of comments like "it was easy for you" and "you live in Britain so you never did anything special" and "you've had everything handed to you because you are British". It really was very hurtful.

Over the last year I got severely ill and had to quit my job. I was heartbroken and was getting comments from my Pakistani cousins calling me lazy and that I didn't want to work because I get benefits etc. It really hurt me deeply. Plenty of my friends tell me to ignore such people but it's difficult when they are your family and your families are always in direct communication.

Although in no way I am saying all Pakistanis are like that. I'm sure many of them think differently too

I'd even go as far to say that most Pakistanis in the middle-class have preconceived notions about how life in the middle east or western countries is much simpler and easier than in Pakistan. They often don't think about the sacrifices that one makes to migrate to those countries to begin with. You will live a much easier life if you just ignore them entirely and pretend that they don't exist. Blood ties isn't the only thing that makes a family a family. If they can't be happy for you in times of happiness and be there for you in times of sadness, then they really should be ignored.

I hope you regain health and get a chance to continue your job.

 

[IAJ]

A bit off topic, the only issue I have with British pakistanis is why many of them don’t teach their kids a Pakistani language, especially when they know they are going to Pakistan on vacations. Kids are quick learners of languages so there should not be any issue.

Here in Norway children go through at least 3 languages ( mother tongue, Norwegian and English)

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Yeah um, i don't ever see rich Pakistanis and middle class ones hang out. My cousins who live there tell me that what school you go to in Pakistan in Pakistan defines your social class and pretty much your value in social circles. You may be an exception to the norm.

Your cousins are wrong.Teenagers and people in their twenties are not like that at all.It was mostly the older generation who was like that.

 

[Pakistanian]

Your cousins are wrong.Teenagers and people in their twenties are not like that at all.It was mostly the older generation who was like that.

Lol My cousins are teenagers and in their 20s, classism is a problem in Pakistan.

 

[aloo paratha]

I guess it really depends on the person and education as well. My cousins, aunts, uncles on my dads side (the more educated as well) treat me as a brother and always give me gifts, we hang out when I'm there and we talk on the phone. Whereas on my moms side (with little education) they always act superior to us, talk bad about us behind our back.

On my moms side there is a huge gossip circle among my cousins and they all think they're some morally and religiously better than us just because we live in the west. For some reason they also think we're loaded in cash. I despise most of my cousins from my moms side of the family and honestly if we weren't related I wouldn't even talk to them.

 

[Rayyman]

TBH Pakistanis are not as cool as Americans but I guess that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

One thing I would like to suggest to some Pakistanis is not to try to be "Western" and all that. People over here love different cultures and I feel like a lot of the young people in Pakistan are getting away from their actual culture and adopting different lifestyles just to seem "hip."

Similar to what [MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] said about fobs. They try to act all cool and end up being even weirder than they were in the first place.

 

[Musakhel]

A bit off topic, the only issue I have with British pakistanis is why many of them don’t teach their kids a Pakistani language, especially when they know they are going to Pakistan on vacations. Kids are quick learners of languages so there should not be any issue.

Here in Norway children go through at least 3 languages ( mother tongue, Norwegian and English)

I taught my self both pashto and urdu as a teenager, my other siblings don't care and won't understand half the stuff you say to them in pushto and 90% of urdu.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

TBH Pakistanis are not as cool as Americans but I guess that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

One thing I would like to suggest to some Pakistanis is not to try to be "Western" and all that. People over here love different cultures and I feel like a lot of the young people in Pakistan are getting away from their actual culture and adopting different lifestyles just to seem "hip."

Similar to what [MENTION=139288]Abdul[/MENTION] said about fobs. They try to act all cool and end up being even weirder than they were in the first place.

Great point. This is why the few Bollywood films I do like have usually been traditional ones which look real rather than the fake Mama Papa rubbish that satisfies the home crowd.

 

[Saj]

Well, more contributions needed from overseas Pakistanis once again.

 

[Ronaldo7]

In the UK, it's more about the accent rather than where you were born.

If you sound like a freshie, you would probably get teased a bit even if you were born in the UK (and vice versa)

There was an Indian kid in my school who had just recently come from India. The guy used to put bare oil on his hair which had a very strong scent so he used to get teased for that.