If something is not quite useful (could be that you no longer need it or got something better) anymore, there are people who would save it and either send it or take it to Pakistan to pass it down to their relatives.
I personally find it somewhat offensive. Most of us get to see our relatives back home once every few years and I feel it’s a bit rude to pass down your used stuff to them. I’d rather give buy my relatives something reasonable or just give them money than to hand over my used clothes, books, phones, bags, etc. or something like dry fruits.
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
We have passed down stuff to people who are deserving but never to relatives. I would not want to put my loved ones in that spot where they would feel even a tad bit inferior.
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
Unless the relative is alright with taking stuff from you. It is probably okay but one should never put anyone in that spot. Everyone has self-respect.
Re: Don’t discard it, we’ll send/take it to Pakistan!
If you have something you used (laptop, grinders, computer parts, CDs, trinkets and gadgets e.t.c.) which you know are hard to find in Pakistan or rather expensive, and you’re either going to throw them away or buy new ones…
Why not give them to your relatives?
OK, so I deduct clothes, utensils, personal hygiene stuff e.t.c…
There are still millions of things we can take to Pakistan which we just throw here…
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
Really? We get the servants in the household brand new toiletries and stuff like that. Although, the perfumes we get are the cheaper ones like those kinds that you can find at target or so. I hate it when my family does that...it looks nice to get them like bath body sorta stuff - which hopefully we'll do next time.
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
I dont see too much of a problem with it...
There things which arent useful to us but over there they have no problem...
Like an old mobile phone like a 3210 is hardly a crap present to a paki back home but if you ever see anyone busting that phone now then they is gonna get cussed...
they still tend to be on their tape decks...so i send an old walkman...im never going to use it...and my cousin likes his hindi cassettes on the go...
and clothes you grow out of...are fashionable to some of your relatives...
Its easier to give old things to your family...its better than throwing them away or letting them gather up dust...especially when they can make better use of it...i dont really see whats offensive about it...
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
Seriously, if you have to, get your cousins and relatives something affordable rather than passed down stuff.
At least I'm not of the opinion. A walkman or a NetMD doesn't cost all that much. Laptop when you really push it would be okay, but cell phones are a no no. They got better ones in Pak and cheaper too.
Perfumes are fine. They make nice presents and so would bath and body sets. However, old clothes should rather be donated to those in need in Pakistan or wherever to reside.
Imagine visiting fam, here... take my old shirt and pants. They don't fit me anymore or they're no longer in fashion. Shouldn't you rather spend a few bucks and get'em something new and reasonable? I'm sure it wouldn't cost an arm and leg anyway.
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
if there is something which i know my relatives cannot afford and i am not using it, i give it to them but i do tell them that it is used and if they find it offensive in anyway, they are welcome to either give it back or give it to someone they think is more deserving.
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
i dont mind really ! as a mater of fact i loved them toys .. i had a big collection of ROBOTS , some where my cousins used and some i bought from pakistan. but ofcorse when it comes down to clothing ...... i dont know .. it just sounds a bit un-proper ...
but anny used to give my mom some used shawlls , which were ofcorse not in a poor condition at all. Though, my mom still didnt like it but she choz to swallow it then having JANG in house. But she never sent my anny anything used stuff, i guess that was to say ** OYE SHEREM NAI AATI TENO ... MIEN NEW KAPRE SEND KERTI HOO AND TUM PHATEY PORANEY ** lol
p/s: it really depends on onez intention i believe. my same anny calls up her friends to drop by her house incase she has soo much left over. her friends do come by most of the time .. so i guess they dont mind either.
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
i think this is a situation with a lot of desi families in the west....but ya it does make me feel weird.....we usually buy new things...but if its like a cell phone maybe we will give that to them if we used it once or twice....
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
when i go to pakistan...i really dont have to give away anything old and used...they take it from me. The second i open my luggage...i got relatives surrounding me wanting to take my camera, shampoo's, etc...the worse part is there are somethings i really dont wanna give away but my mom says...just give it to them...we'll buy another one when we get back home. :(
Re: Don’t discard it, we’ll send/take it to Pakistan!
I noticed that whenever i went to pakistan.. the first thing the relatives will do is have a look at the lugage u brought.. to see what u brought for them..
it doesn’t matter what u give.. they’re never satisfied wid the stuff u give.. they dont care abt the thing u give wid love.. they care abt the value if that thing.. even when u give the most expensive thing they wont be satisfied..‘coz the neighbour has that one 2..’ or ‘it’s out of fashion..’ whatever..makes me so angry..
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
My situation is like Angel Eyes. We always take stuff that we don't wear anymore or even items of clothing that we may have received as gifts and never wore. We make it clear that these items are for charity. Then if they wish to take something from there, by all means, they are welcome to it.
We don't take it as a gift. There is always something else for that.
I would understand if there are people who barely save up the money to buy their tickets and then need to buy gifts for all and sundry. If these folks had used items that they didn't need anymore, then why not give 'em away?
PCG, your post wreaks of arrogance. I'm sure that if everyone could afford it, they would buy nice things for everyone they know. You really could have phrased your comment about buying new toiletries for your servants in a better way. Btw, new toiletries....what does that amount to? $10-$15 per person? How many servants you got? 5 or 10?
Re: Don't discard it, we'll send/take it to Pakistan!
My twopence worth
I buy things and sometimes dont use them...(ok I have plenty of things I havent used...think of sales bargains etc) and get a lot of salwaar Kameez and other clothes or nick nacks and jewellry from people when who have returned from Asia...Too much to use
also clothes that Ive worn but are in good condition...washing doesnt damage clothes as they do in Pakistan or the glitzy clothes..which cant be worn that often.
Computer printers and scanners etc change every few months and in our house this equipment is changed pretty often. phones... Ive had two this year ..what should I do with them
there are so many things that we could pass on but eventually throw out and it fills up land fill sites ... it would be so much better to recycle them..
I have known hired home help to be happy to receive these items...these are practical things and they would prefer them to a bar of soap
