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

~ Kevin Mittman (Author), Karin Mittman (Editor), Zafar Ihsan (Contributor) "Although its cultural roots date back to the third millenium BC, Pakistan is a young state, formed in 1947 by the division of India..." (more)
Key Phrases: shalwar kamis, joint family system, foreign wife, Holy Koran

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

You'll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you'll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you'll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558680594
• ISBN-13: 978-1558680593
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,559,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars By No Means Uninteresting, August 6, 2001

By	bharring (Living Under A Rock) - See all my reviews

Having never been to Pakistan myself, I am perhaps not a fair judge of how accurate this book actually is. However, I am familiar with the Pakistani culture and I can comment on the style in which this book was written.

The book is very informative and detailed. Every aspect of life imaginable: villages, cities, business, weddings, hosting parties, buying houses, what is/isn't safe to eat--it even gives a break-down of which foreigners will be liked and/or disliked by Pakistanis. She does a very good job, ostensibly, of giving a description adequate for more than just a two week vacation in an exotic country. This book is also, considering that it is a nonfiction travel guide, quite interesting and able to keep your attention--with appealing photography (although in black-and-white) and hilarious sketches by Zafar Ihsan, it will not fail to keep your attention.

As negatives for the book, they unfortunately come across rather distinctly. Ms. Mittmann comes from a failed marriage to a Pakistani, so perhaps this explains her viewpoint. The book is very dour and rather pessimistic. Although Mittmann claims to love Pakistan and cherish it as a country, you can hardly believe that given her criticism of it. While it is true that Pakistan's Islamic culture does strike Westerners as rather sexist, she lacks the compassion to explain that some of this restriction stems from an ancient desire to protect women and keep them out of harm's way. There is also a quality in this book which is bereft of light-hearted excitement. Perhaps this is because the thrill of living abroad wears off in expatriates all-too-soon.

This is a fair book. I would consider it worth reading for somebody already familiar with Pakistani culture, but would warn away any newcomers. Its style is mildly patronizing and there is a stoic, almost-depressing air about it, which would frighten anyone curious about Islamic cultures away.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I definately recommend this book, June 14, 1998

By A Customer

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!!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not for Professional Women....., May 21, 2001

By A Customer

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!!!!!!!