Most of the North American Pakistani Community or the one in the UK try to distance themselves from the Pakistani culture and ways ( fobby ) behaviour and try to assimilate in to the environment. They do not want to be associated with anything from Pakistan. Not all but most, like to speak English and do not even know Urdu and like to dress up in the western attire.
Is it that we are ashamed, perhaps disappointed, in our Pakistani culture?
Youknow, I think that its always best to put aside personal fears and differences. Most americans/westerners find pakistani culture fascinating, happy, enjoyable. I know I do. Many times, pakistanis keep to themselves and do not share or explain their holidays. That should be done! Our elementary school is SO thrilled when a Muslim parent comesto explain Eid. Days later, you'll hear these gori kids wishing "Eid Mubarak" to each other and its really a lovely thing., The best thing you can do for yourselves as Muslims and as Muslims living in a primarily christian land is to talk about it, to go out and show people what it really is. They're all very interested. Its when the Muslims fear and keep to themselves and their closed communities that the mistrust develops. Be open, show them what Islaam is, invite them to the mosque, give presentations about Eid at their schools and see how very welcome you are.
Most of the North American Pakistani Community or the one in the UK try to distance themselves from the Pakistani culture and ways ( fobby ) behaviour and try to assimilate in to the environment. They do not want to be associated with anything from Pakistan. Not all but most, like to speak English and do not even know Urdu and like to dress up in the western attire.
Is it that we are ashamed, perhaps disappointed, in our Pakistani culture?
I speak English 99% of the time simply because it's the language I feel most comfortable with, simple as that. My Dad tends to speak English with me most of the time anyway (it's funny he always writes in English too, even notes to himself for the same reason, he's been here so long it's just quicker and easier for him) whilst my Mum speaks a mixture lol. Seriously, why the need to put labels on ppl because they dress a certain way or speak a certain language? I'm not ashamed of my culture but tbh I think whichever country I'm in I'd make an effort to assimilate or fit in, just like I cover up a lot more 'back home' cos of cultural norms or if I went off to live in the UAE full-time I'd prob wear an abaaya.. I don't see why some Pakistanis are so judgmental about the way UK or US desi kids dress or what language they prefer to speak. Oh, and funny isn't it the boys don't get a hard time for wearing Western clothes, do they?? Does 'distancing ourselves from culture' only apply to girls? Honestly, in the UK the desis are the only ones who place so much importance on their kids wearing 'back home' style clothes. You'll rarely see a young UK born and brought up Arab girl in their traditional style clothing, a black girl in African clothes or kids of Chinese immigrants wearing oriental style clothing just to prove how 'in touch' with their culture they are. Live and let live.
Oh, and ppl who would find the 'fob' term offensive should really stop the hypocrisy in calling other people 'coconuts.' It's actually quite ridiculous to expect a person to 'think' like those from their homeland anyway simply cos they have desi or whatever blood running thru their veins. Humans tend to naturally change and adapt as they move around. Don't know why some ppl have such a difficult time grasping this concept.
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Oh, and funny isn't it the boys don't get a hard time for wearing Western clothes, do they?? Does 'distancing ourselves from culture' only apply to girls?
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If a caucasian American moves to Pakistan you would expect him/her to follow Pakistani norms. If it's a woman she would definitely be expected to wear shulwar kameez because that is how women are expected to dress in Pakistan.
I have yet to meet any Pakistanis living in west who distance themselves from their culture. If anything, Pakistanis in the west are more conservative and culture conscious than those living in Pakistan.
Why do most men in Pakistan wear western clothing? (just look at school uniforms of boys compared to girls) Why do so many people in Pakistan converse in English? Are they ashamed of their culture?
IOh, and funny isn't it the boys don't get a hard time for wearing Western clothes, do they?? Does 'distancing ourselves from culture' only apply to girls?
I think its once again the same old, over-used, cliché and kinda retarded argument that men and women are not only equals but the SAME as well. As for the answer to your question, jeans and T-shirt do not accentutate our boobs or butts so thats why its not really a big deal for boys.
This discussion is getting really boring. Yes we abcds are inherently evil and you pakistanis are incredibly pure and wonderful and all that’s good with the world.
I think its once again the same old, over-used, cliché and kinda retarded argument that men and women are not only equals but the SAME as well. As for the answer to your question, jeans and T-shirt do not accentutate our boobs or butts so thats why its not really a big deal for boys.
:) some people won't like your blunt way of putting things :D good post.
jeans and T-shirt do not accentutate our boobs or butts so thats why its not really a big deal for boys.
considering how Pakistani men like to wear tight pants, parts that they do have, that shouldn't be accentuated, certainly are when they wear western clothes. Also, men in Pakistan love to accentuate their parts when they're shamelessly touching themselves in public but of course that is not a subject of shame or modesty, it's "not a big deal".
I think its once again the same old, over-used, cliché and kinda retarded argument that men and women are not only equals but the SAME as well. As for the answer to your question, jeans and T-shirt do not accentutate our boobs or butts so thats why its not really a big deal for boys.
Is all western clothing jeans + t-shirt (not that they're always tight or revealing anyway) now?? Is all western clothing revealing and accentuating our boobs and butts??
What exactly is indecent about a normal dress shirt or long-sleeved top and trousers?? Or a long western skirt and top as opposed to a lehenga?? They seem about the same in terms of covering up to me. I tend to wear tracksuit bottoms and a long-sleeved top at uni, does that mean cos it's western it's automatically immodest?? Do u find a standard woman's trouser suit with a jacket (fairly typical office wear over here) immodest as well?? Tbh if u do I think that says more about a perverted mind than anything else. Most religious Arab girls, those who wear hijab, do so with trousers and top, is that bad as well?? Or what about those girls in Iran who tend to wear western clothes with their hijabs??
I wasn't going to respond to ur retarded illogical argument as the OP is concerned about loss of culture and not modesty but I just couldn't help myself as u seem to have it drummed into ur head that western clothes must naturally not be modest.
considering how Pakistani men like to wear tight pants, parts that they do have, that shouldn't be accentuated, certainly are when they wear western clothes. Also, men in Pakistan love to accentuate their parts when they're shamelessly touching themselves in public but of course that is not a subject of shame or modesty, it's "not a big deal".
Modesty apparently only applies to girls and if u say otherwise ur a 'feminazi' (and/or 'lesbian'). Unfortunately a lot of men have not yet learned that Islamic rules on modest clothing relate to both sexes and it makes no difference what country ur style of clothing originates from as long as ur covered. I guess it all boils down to insecurity, some sad souls really do believe that desi/Pakistani clothing=more religious, everything else=unIslamic and evil..
I like my jeans and t-shirt more than any other kind of clothing. I'm comfortable in it, and I can move around comfortably in it.
I hate shalwaar kameez generally - definitely not for home. Nice to wear at a dawat, but I feel like I can move better in jeans. With a shalwaar, my interior thigh skin abrades against each other and then I get abscesses, because of all the sweating and heat here. Not to mention my kameez's are tight on me, and I have trouble breathing in them.
I mean they do look pretty, and there are times where I get more into fashions, but these days, I could care less. I'd rather spend my money on some nice work clothes.
I was born here, I grew up here. I'm more American than some Americans. I don't want to change that, and I don't feel the need to be more Pakistani than I already am, and it has nothing to do with being ashamed of Pakistani culture or people. I'm just comfortable in jeans. I like to eat tacos, because they taste good. I like to watch 30Rock over Tere Pehloo Mein, because I relate to Liz Lemon more than that stupid Sara Chaudry. Just like a Pakistani from Pakistan would vomit with tacos every night, find Liz Lemon "bold", and think men salivate at every woman out there in jeans. It just depends what you were raised with and what you're comfortable and used to.
Most of the North American Pakistani Community or the one in the UK try to distance themselves from the Pakistani culture and ways ( fobby ) behaviour and try to assimilate in to the environment. They do not want to be associated with anything from Pakistan. Not all but most, like to speak English and do not even know Urdu and like to dress up in the western attire.
Is it that we are ashamed, perhaps disappointed, in our Pakistani culture?
Not sure what you're trying to say, mate. Some of us were born in Western countries and spent all of our lives here. Pakistan is an important connection but are you expecting everyone to be rocking shalwar kamizes and speaking with a Pakistani accent, just to remain 'authentic'
On a side note, I do not appreciate the visual of the crotch hugging pants/jeans that another member mentioned - it's too lewd.