Paradoxes of a Non-Resident Pakistani

[mjnaushad]

Whats said is not a lie but is over generalized

 

[PakiRambo]

Oh god.....dude, that's the story from "One night @ the call center" by Chetan Bhagat. Seriously dude....wtf ?

Not Chetan Bhagat.

This:

Virus phone scam being run from call centres in India | Technology | The Guardian

 

[angeldust]

Paradoxes of a Non-Resident Pakistani

Sarah Sikandar on 7, Jun 2012 | 22 Comments | in Category: Debate Desk

He talks about Pakistan as if it’s a distant country with way too many problems and corrupt politicians. Pakistani politics, of which he knows nothing, is the favorite topic on which he can rant for hours. His core beliefs are based on two conjectures — Imran Khan and American-style education are the only two things that can salvage the country.

He thinks Indians, with no offence intended, are nothing like us, their despicable dress sense makes them look desperate while we with our fairer complexion and adaptability assimilate smoothly. Dissociation with Indians runs parallel to association with American culture, both of which are closely related to the protection of his identity — an American of Pakistani origin with American children of strictly American origin.

He can’t talk enough about the mouth-watering taste of the Pakistani food with all its masala and spices and overcooked tender meat. His eyes glimmer with the mention of chicken karahi, Karachi’s biryani and Anarkali’s fruit chart. Food is one thing he misses most about Pakistan. Then you see his plate of steamed veggies and mashed potatoes.

He starts every other sentence with a ‘yes’ and ends it with ‘but’. He begins with an assertion, comes to an excuse and concludes it with an apology. That’s before he starts talking again.

He can’t talk enough of the importance of retaining a connection with our Pakistani roots considering how hardly we get a chance to, call back home, watch Pakistani television or visit even every five years. The dress code at iftaris is strictly Eastern and there’s a huge Independence Day bash. Namaz is the solution to all his problems. His kids Shawn and Adam nod hysterically.

He insists on communicating with his kid in Urdu who never replies in the same language and carries a baffled expression on his little face looking at his parents like they belong to an African tribe talking gibberish. You can tell the little human is clueless. Till you meet next, there will be no more debates on ‘Pakistaniat’ (a term used quite frequently now)

He takes pride in the fact that his son outsmart all his Indian class mates without mentioning the Japanese kids whose helps he needs to pass the Algebra test and the after-school tuition that comes handy for sciences.

His educated uncles and family money will pop up randomly in conversations with hazy information. Ask him details and he will throw his BMW, chic apartment and Cartier watch at you. Then he starts cribbing about the increasing food cost and gas prices.

You can’t even escape the oh-so-familiar joke of how he is as much a part of Pakistan as anyone living there “after all we are running Pakistan with all the money we send from here…” Ha.Ha.Ha!

Omar1984, AbuZolfiqar, A1Kaid, the list is endless, with desi versions like PakistaniNationalist slapping on the Fair n Lovely wholesale to pile on.

What an ignorant, insulting (for all mentioned) and disgusting article filled with scorn, bias and contradictions.

But right on the money and down to the T. Sometimes caricature is a pale shadow of vibrant reality.

 

[Awesome]

There are no paindus in America or Canada.

The paindus are all in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Dubai etc.

I don't have much experience about Canada, but in America I've definitely seen some FOB lottery visa types... Khair, which country is subjective...

 

[forcetrip]

Its a puff piece. Something like when people say all Indians crap near the train lines or all Pakistani throw acid on their wives faces. Generalizing is fun ..

 

[Developereo]

The problem lies with Islamism

Please learn to differentiate between Islamism and support for Palestine. Just because it is fashionable in pseudo-intellectual circles to conflate the two does not make the connection legitimate.

As it is, your comments -- like that of the clueless lady in the OP -- showcase a disconnect with reality.

Pakistani immigrants are doing what most of the other immigrants do.

This part is true. Her racist generalizations apply to all immigrant groups, although she would never have the guts to say it about others.

 

[Roybot]

I have to agree that Indians abroad, can also be diversified amongst the 3 classes - you'll get your usual 7/11 owner, your accountant, and your neurosurgeon in every city - but you're being a bit racist, and have to acknowledge that Pakistanis living abroad can also be split amongst the 3 classes.

There are many Pakistani doctors, lawyers, engineers, and even politicians abroad so you can't completely disregard that fact. Likewise, there are also Pakistanis that can be found on the lower end of the spectrum, working as taxi drivers and at take-away restaurants.

Indian immigrants are quite different from the Pakistani ones. 1/4th of the Pakistani immigrants in the US are either taxi drivers or retail staff. On an average, Indian immigrants are better educated, with a better job and higher income.

Immigration and Jobs - Map of Foreign-Born Workers - Interactive Graphic - NYTimes.com

Its the same in Canada and Pakistani immigrants in the UK are the poorest with very high unemployment rate and poor education.

 

[yyetttt]

^^^ Nice d!ck measuring contest.

 

[Roybot]

^^^ Nice d!ck measuring contest.

Indeed I didn't start it.

 

[JonAsad]

A comment on the article-

By Farooq M. Hashmi (God Bless)
The word-picture drawn in the blog,is of a typical Pakistani-American whose mind is torn among multiple sociological conflicts.The word-picture drawn in the blog, is of a typical Pakistani-American whose mind is torn between the incongruous American and the Pakistani cultures.
The word-picture drawn in the blog,is of a typical Pakistani-American whose patriotism is torn between America and Pakistan.He has love for his foster-homeland,America but he has no hatred for his native homeland,Pakistan,and the vice-versa.However,it is but natural for man that he comes closer to an object that attract him and stay away from the one that repels him.The same is true of the Pakistanis,especially of those who are highly educated and unwillingly want to flee their native home-land in pursuit of bright future.The mentioned Pakistani is one of those who had to abandon their native country,Pakistan in quest of their cherished Garden of Eden.

Those who make the relative Pakistani a target of their oblique sarcasm deserve to be made the target of a frontal counter-sarcasm.The Pakistani's long-winded talk about Pakistani politics and his faith in Imran Khan speaks of his nostalgia for Pakistan.A strong undercurrent of pathos runs underneath his long-drawn-out talks about Pakistani politics insinuating that his heart aches at the unfortunate circumstances which have beleaguered his country of origin.Unconsciously,he is asserting that he would not have abandoned his home and immigrated to USA if opportunities had not been closed on him.H

is disdain for Indians'clothes and their complexion is the natural outcome of his nourishment in a prolonged atmosphere of Indo-phobia.Other Pakistanis who immigrate to USA share the situation with the protagonist of the story.After having spent the prime of their lives in education,youths in Pakistan find the portals of jobs shut,closed,barred and padlocked on them?

Does the jargon of " patrotism " has any significance if they have to go from pillar to post for paraphernalia?Do the platitudes as " service of the nation " not pepper their souls wounded by their joblessness?What fascination the argot," ideology of Pakistan " has for them when the state has failed to provide them basic necessities of life?What attraction the bourgeoisie parlance," state is an end in itself " has for them when state has failed to ensure the basic human necessities to them? State is not an end in itself.It's a means to safe-gaurd its citizen against all oddities.State is not sacred as the Tabernacle.

If the state fails to cater to the basic needs of its citizens,it loses its 'raison d'etre'.Name any evil that does not exist in Pakistan.Today's Pakistan is a living example of Hobbesian state of nature___ the scourge of 'sefarish' and bribery among runaway joblessness,sky-rocketing dearness,terrorism,bigotry of mullahs,ever-widening gulf between halves and have-nots,and others are rampant.A Pakistani youth,after getting alchemized into gold through university education,sets out to hunt out a job but in vain.A Job-hunting youth's dismay multiplies when he faces the schadenfreude of the executives while he is weighed down by utter dejection.It's the defining moment for him that he is a non-existent in his own homeland and that his hopes for a brilliant future are a mere moonshine,hence he struggles to flee his native country where miseries of different hues and shades hold sway.If he is lucky to land on the soils of America___the land of opportunities___he finds avenues of success,progress and advancement opened to him.The beauty of the pluristic American society is its heterogenic culture.Again,the Pakistani's love for his native food is a positive trait of his personality,hence commendable.His traditional hatred for Indians is a negative trait of his personality,hence condemnable.

 

[jetti]

Indian immigrants are quite different from the Pakistani ones. 1/4th of the Pakistani immigrants in the US are either taxi drivers or retail staff. On an average, Indian immigrants are better educated, with a better job and higher income.

Its the same in Canada and Pakistani immigrants in the UK are the poorest with very high unemployment rate and poor education.

Exactly what i tried to say. the reason for this is because the indians are middle class professionals. pakistanis are blue collar workers. what i said is about majority. but in both groups all kinds of people are there

 

[IFB]

She speaks truth. I have experienced it during my visits to the good ole land of uncle Sam.

However the behavior of Pakistanis from first generation immigrants is not too different from other immigrants even from parts of Europe.

What really brings downs Pakistanis in North America (US and Canada) is not so much of their longing for Pakistan. That should be just fine. The problem lies with Islamism and the level at which it is prevalent among Pakistanis.

Palestine and UN mandate is a good starting point to bring most of the Pak-immigrants into full boil even after consuming pounds of biryani.

You see Pakistani immigrants in a group, say the magic word Palestine, and see how the silverware flies off the table.

This has caused several young men of Pakistani origin to commit (or try to commit) horrendous crimes against their host countries.

Other than the Islamist disease (and a serious disease BTW), Pakistani immigrants are doing what most of the other immigrants do.


peace, .

wow what a post

 

[Holmes]

.............
meh

 

[protest]

For those who claim Pakistani-Americans are as successful as Indian Americans, please kindly share the most successful Pakistanis in America or some achievements of the community together.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

^Dude shes like 40... bleh...

in America, I believe they call them ''M.I.L.F.''


(google the term)