Customer Reviews

Pakistan (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I think most people are smart enough to take things in context. Not everywhere and every situation will match cultural norms, but this book is the best place to start on Pakistan. I look forward to reading others in this series as I travel elsewhere. I read the travel books on Pakistan but this one gave the most preparation to the culture and what to expect while most books tell you places or events of interest.

A definite must when heading that direction!!!

althought this book is relativly well written and candid it seems as though the author does to full understand the culture and often misrepresents it. the pictures (although black and white) are quite nice and the descriptions of the elite in the major cities such as karachi and lahore are close to true but not always agreeable. I visited pakistan for my friends wedding a few months ago and this book contradicts most of what i learned about their culture and ceremonies. what i found most misrepresented was the issue of sexism in pakistan. the author mentions how women have less authority than men but conveniently forgets to mention the respect and facilities they are awarded as mothers,sisters, and wives. all in all i felt this book isnt the best way to go if you really want to understand the country and the people of pakistan, this book isnt the best way to go.

I work in foreign assistance and am very much looking forward to moving to Pakistan for my next job. I bought this book, as I have bought others in the "culture shock" series when I have worked/traveled in other developing countries for extended periods.

Unfortunately, this book seems to be written for men. At first I thought it was just poor editing and choice of words (i.e. using masculine he/his/him pronouns without it being clear if the advice was meant to apply to men or to men AND women) then it became obvious that I was just being left out. The sectiions about women are preoccupied with clothes and shopping, and in a few sections -- most notably the one on the workplace -- it actually starts refers to a few things for "your wife" (i.e, playing hostess) to do to "help". As a single woman professional, I'm pretty disgusted that this section made NO reference to issues or etiquette that I must consider if I am to succeed at my next job.

And, just to add appalling icing on the cake....... the "sex" section consists solely of how I can find a prosititute despite the banning of brothels and how not to get conned by their pimps.

ARGH!!!!!!!

I work in foreign assistance and am very much looking forward to moving to Pakistan for my next job. I bought this book, as I have bought others in the "culture shock" series when I have worked/traveled in other developing countries for extended periods.

Unfortunately, this book seems to be written for men. At first I thought it was just poor editing and choice of words (i.e. using masculine he/his/him pronouns without it being clear if the advice was meant to apply to men or to men AND women) then it became obvious that I was just being left out. The sectiions about women are preoccupied with clothes and shopping, and in a few sections -- most notably the one on the workplace -- it actually starts refers to a few things for "your wife" (i.e, playing hostess) to do to "help". As a single woman professional, I'm pretty disgusted that this section made NO reference to issues or etiquette that I must consider if I am to succeed at my next job.

And, just to add appalling icing on the cake....... the "sex" section consists solely of how I can find a prosititute despite the banning of brothels and how not to get conned by their pimps.

ARGH!

I have lived in Pakistan three years and this book helped me understand the culture as though I lived there my entire life. It is full of useful details on traditions, food, religion, ethnic groups , festivals, laws, you name it.

There are no long-winded historical narratives with names and dates shot at you like machine gun fire. Instead we get down-to-earth accounts of what day to day life is all about. The reader can sense her observations have been made from decades of first-hand experiences. There are very few generalizations and stereotypes discussed as is common with other such culture books.

The author wrote in a reverent and non-judgmental manner. You can tell she has developed a great respect for what foreigners perceive as a backward culture. I do not agree with the other reviewers who says she is sexist. She is just telling it as it is. Considering she has lived there 40+ years by her own choice, I trust she knows what she is talking about.