Dear all,
I will be travelling to Pakistan for the first time on business in a few weeks, with a male colleague, visiting companies in major cities, but also factories in more remote areas. I really really do not want to offend anyone or cause any problems. I am not Muslim, so do not wear the hijab. I ordinarily wear a business suit and shirt, would that be ok? Would it be better if I covered my hair? Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks indeed,
Emma
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
awwwwwwwwwww sweetie dont be afraid .......... you do whatever you want to do but when you go to some other culture you have to accept their norms and adopt their ways so that you may not feel awkward..........
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Thanks for that, but that's exactly what I mean, how far do I need to adopt the ways of another culture. Of course I'll dress modestly - I always do anyway - but I was wondering whether I need to cover my hair as well. My Pakistani friends (all British-born and bred who hardly ever visit Pakistan) seem to think I would be better off in a shalwar kameez. I suppose it's an excuse to go shopping...
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
oh my God......pakistanis are not that strict....you can wear trousers and shirts and bla bla........ even pakistani gals wear trousers and stuff.......yes if you have to go to some tribal or sarhadi areas ...then you must wear dupatta atleast and shalwar kammeez.........
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Thank you! I'm really looking forward to my trip, I heard so many wonderful things about Pakistan and how beautiful it is (even though I'll be stuck in company offices for most of the time).
Emma
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Wrong forum. This is more likely general/trav forum topic.
Anyway you can wear watever ya want but it would be gr8 if you wear local dress.
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Be prepared for a cultural shock. BG is right. Go with low expectations, you will enjoy it.
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Emma you don't need to cover your hairs whilst you are in major cities nor you need to wear local traditional dress. as its a business trip and I wiuld advise you go for something like hmm casual trousers and shirts (you can wear denim if your company dress policy allows it ) but no point in wraping urself in that traditional dresses. If you are visiting some TRIBAL areas in western province then I will suggest you to cover your hairs as they are bit stricket regarding that issue, otherwise in major cities you can wear what ever suites you :)
PS:- with exception of hot pants and micro skirt of course..
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Thank you both. I realise I posted in the wrong forum, I meant to post it in Travel - which I eventually did. I wish my company allowed denim! We won't be going anywhere west, but I'll keep a scarf with me, just in case. Beautiful as I think salwar kameez is, I have no idea where to find one in Brussels! Thanks again.
Emma
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
emma,
I remember watching a news clip with angelina jolie in pakistan and she wore a nice black long tunic with a scarf on her neck...i thought it was a nice touch...
so my advice, wear pants, lose clothing and if possible take a scarf or two just in case, I don't think you'd have to cover your hair in business meetings, but it'll show your respect for the culture. PLUS here's the big one, walking in the bazar you'll really stand out in some places and I found it was just easier covering my hair.
nb save your shopping for pakistan :)
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Emma, wearing western clothes will be fine. Just remember that it is a Muslim country, which means no shorts or short skirts. You don't have to cover your head though and you will notice that some women do while others don't when you are there. You will be fine in business/casual wear.
I went to Pakistan for the first time a few years ago and had a major culture shock. Mind you, I'm Pakistani too. :p
It will be a bit difficult depending on where you are going, mainly with the pollution, but other than that, you shouldn't have any major problems. You can cover your head, it is totally up to you and what you are comfortable with. You may be stared at a bit but just ignore it. Nobody means any harm. :) If you go to villages or remote areas, you may want to cover your head with a dupatta cause people can be a bit more conservative in the villages, just see what you are comfortable with.
Have fun and let us know how you liked it when you get back.
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Thank you all. I promise to let you know how it went. And I will leave my shopping for Pakistan as Amelie suggested!
Em
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Cool. Have a safe and nice journey.
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Emma,
What time of the year are you planning to visit Pakistan ?
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Hi Najim. Early September. Am I right in thinking it will be very hot and humid?
E
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
^^ Yes, most probably it'll be very hot at that time. But I suppose at least when you'll be in the cities you will stay in "airconditioned" environments most of the time, so it won't be too hard. I don't know about the situation in the tribal areas though.
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
September rains can make the weather chilly for a short period of time, at least in Islamabad, so don't go without a light jacket.
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
emma give us some information about your business trip and keep us updated as to what happened. did u survive or not ;) (jk)
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
by the way EMMA in which city u will gonna stay?
Re: Help! Business dress in Pakistan
Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad with day trips in surrounding areas. It’s going to be a lot of work and not much play, I’m afraid.