Paki definitely has a bad connotation... no matter where you are....but not desi....
And tbh, i hadn't even heard of the terms 'abcd' and 'fob' till i came to GS :D
I don't think saying someone is pakistani is considered bad in the US, well atleast not in NY, then again NY is a world of its own!
The only term I consider bad is FOB.
Re: Desis
Again, the question is not whether a term has a negative connotation in a society. The poster of this thread ( i wonder where (s)he is ) raised questions about those terms used with negative connotations on GS. :)
Re: Desis
^ Yes, and we have already addressed those concerns numerous times... that almost all users here are pakistani and come on GS to post their concerns that's why people may be offended by the negativity. People rarely come on here saying 'oh im pakistani and my life is superb!' :)
WOW ! and how RIGHT was *Lord Macaulay*
Re: Desis
This the positive contribution of disis living abroad:
Remittances rise to $5.31bn in 10 months
Remittances rise to $5.31bn in 10 months
Friday, May 16, 2008
By our correspondentKARACHI: Remittances sent home by overseas Pakistanis continued to show a rising trend as $5,319.08 million were received in the first 10 months (July-April) of fiscal year 2007-08 compared to $4,450.12 million in the same period last year, showing an increase of $868.96 million or 19.53 per cent.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the amount of $5,319.08 million includes $2.20 million received through encashment and profit earned on Foreign Exchange Bearer Certificates (FEBCs) and Foreign Currency Bearer Certificates (FCBCs).
The monthly average of remittances for the period July-April 2007-08 comes to $531.91 million as compared to $445.01 million during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, registering an increase of 19.53 per cent.
The inflow of remittances in the July-April 2007-08 period from USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, GCC countries (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman), UK and EU countries amounted to $1,463.73 million, $1,001.71 million, $907.52 million, $795.18 million, $379.03 million and $147.65 million, respectively as compared to $1,176.12 million, $827.60 million, $673.51 million, $609.88 million, $354.60 million and $123.08 million, respectively in the July-April 2006-07 period.
Remittances received from Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan and other countries during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year amounted to $622.06 million as against $683.09 million in the same period last year.
During the last month (April 2008), Pakistani workers remitted an amount of $590.71 million, up $77.36 million or 15.07 per cent when compared to $513.35 million sent home in April 2007.
The inflow of remittances into Pakistan from almost all countries of the world increased last month as compared to April 2007. According to the break-up, remittances from USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, GCC countries (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman), UK and EU countries amounted to $151.39 million, $119.76 million, $113.90 million, $90.91 million, $44.18 million and $16.52 million, respectively as compared to the corresponding receipts from the respective countries during April 2007, ie $141.43 million, $94.12 million, $77.53 million, $71.59 million, $35.35 million and $12.70 million.
Good one…and not to forget the huge/gargantuan contribution made by way of Investments–in Trade & Industry–which created jobs and a beaconing position of Pakistan globally–in recent past!
Re: Desis
Going back to the topic at hand, I think the point that the thread opener raised here is very simple, criticism vs bashing and where the lines get blurred. Constructive criticism is healthy for any society, as long as we personally identify with the issues and discuss how it effects us, when we do that in a cohesive and logical manner it makes sense because we take into account both negative and positive aspects. When only the negative is 'discussed' at length over n over again, it paints a one-sided picture and borders on bashing.
"Discussing legitimate concerns" is definitely a huge part of why these forums exist, as long as these concerns do not take a judgmental tone and people do not start abusing this platform to vent their personal frustrations without any merit, to support their arguments.
This is exactly why I stay out of the religious and political forums. My mucking blood starts to boil. I'm done contributing here. Carry on with whatever pathetic excuses you can come up with to talk crap about Pakistan directly and indirectly. Positive criticism is one thing and is indicative of genuine concern, useless bashing is another.
I'm a proud paindoo/desi and Alhamdulillah I am doing whatever I can in my limited capacity to improve the plight of the deprived and underprivilaged people of Pakistan - which is not a great deed but my responsibility.
With ya brothaa.. all the way on this.
Mirch, you shouldn't participate in this...
Because the minute I or someone like me respond to your posts, you are gonna start showing your MODs muscles behind your MODs bunker...
Again, the question is not whether a term has a negative connotation in a society. The poster of this thread ( i wonder where (s)he is ) raised questions about those terms used with negative connotations on GS. :)
I am still here KB, It was night here so logged in now in the morning. :)
My concern as already mentioned is that why should any one be permitted to demean us. The words "Desis" "FOBs" are not used in any positive sense here. Its not just these words the constant criticism on the minutest of things. These are things i read in various threads:
--> "Desi Girls should stop idealizing marriage so much, acquire some brains, get some decent education, and stop worrying about what my parents and/or falan falan rishtay daar...."
--> "Desi girls main problem is "good sex." All their worries revolve around it. One in a thousand has other issues to worry and those are having been banged without warming up."
--> "I would refuse to marry a Pakistani guy even if the survival of the human species depended upon it. By the way the illiteracy rate in Pakistan is over 50%, lol."
--> "Why do some Pakistani guys act all gangsta? "
--> "Why do desi girls have no figure?"
--> "Pakistani women and tight clothes"
These are just gross generalizations. I dont at all see any point in these. It is just utterly rude to pin point such things which really dont have any point! Also, why should Desis be mentioned in particular? It in fact may as well be opposite. Pakistani brit / americans act all gangsta or girls wear tight clothes or minimalistic clothing but i would not say it because it is a total generalization based on specific information, a few does not mean every one does. These are not legitimate issues these are just plain mockery and making fun of others which i believe no one has a right to do so.
Going back to the topic at hand, I think the point that the thread opener raised here is very simple, criticism vs bashing and where the lines get blurred. Constructive criticism is healthy for any society, as long as we personally identify with the issues and discuss how it effects us, when we do that in a cohesive and logical manner it makes sense because we take into account both negative and positive aspects. When only the negative is 'discussed' at length over n over again, it paints a one-sided picture and borders on bashing.
"Discussing legitimate concerns" is definitely a huge part of why these forums exist, as long as these concerns do not take a judgmental tone and people do not start abusing this platform to vent their personal frustrations without any merit, to support their arguments.
There you go! :)
I usually just either read these pakistan bashing posts in passing or ignore them.
I do agree with CB that there a lot of pakistanis who live abroad and try to do a lot for pakistan in any form or manner they can, be it helping other pakistanis in the country they live in or supporting charities or whatever. The issue for a lot of pakistanis who live abroad comes when they deal with ppl who have spent their whole life in pakistan. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth when I interact with pakistanis and they either play endless mindgames or stab you in the back or use you for some thing you may help them with.
I grew up with the mindset that we are muslims (most pakistanis) and the way my parents described pakistan all I ever dreamt of doing was living in pakistan...but sadly I don't feel that anymore not because of pakistan but because of the pakistanis I have come across in my life who have cheated, hated, lied, belittled me or someone else in any form or manner. Most ppl only end up disliking pakistanis after going thru a lot of them and these ppl exhibit most of the the same negative traits.
A lot of times I do wish my experiences would have been different..... and it is this wish that makes me still seek out pakistanis who I might click with sadly the only ones I click with are the pakistanis who have lived abroad most of their lives.....
I usually just either read these pakistan bashing posts in passing or ignore them.
I do agree with CB that there a lot of pakistanis who live abroad and try to do a lot for pakistan in any form or manner they can, be it helping other pakistanis in the country they live in or supporting charities or whatever. The issue for a lot of pakistanis who live abroad comes when they deal with ppl who have spent their whole life in pakistan. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth when I interact with pakistanis and they either play endless mindgames or stab you in the back or use you for some thing you may help them with.
I grew up with the mindset that we are muslims (most pakistanis) and the way my parents described pakistan all I ever dreamt of doing was living in pakistan...but sadly I don't feel that anymore not because of pakistan but because of the pakistanis I** have come across in my life who have cheated, hated, lied, belittled me or someone else in any form or manner**. Most ppl only end up disliking pakistanis after going thru a lot of them and these ppl exhibit most of the the same negative traits.
A** lot of times I do wish my experiences would have been different..... and it is this wish that **makes me still seek out pakistanis who I might click with sadly the only ones I click with are the pakistanis who have lived abroad most of their lives.....
Sadi, bless you girl , I was finding it so hard to get the words to explain exactly what you wrote above .... thanks for putting the perfect words..
I have undergone the exact same thought process as you ... and till date, I try to keep myself positive for at the end of the day there are many people out there to harm Pakistan and only few, that will remain well wishers of the country...
hoping inshallah one day ... the people of Pakistan will rise from this moral degradation they are in now ... Inshallah it will happen soon ... our hopes are strong..
Re: Desis
The hypocrisy in this thread is unreal. You have a problem with Pakistanis having a problem with other Pakistanis?