Pakistan - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

by Safia Haleem

Pakistan is a land with a unique history, formed by migrating peoples who have left their footprint in its diverse cultures, languages, literature, food, dress, and folklore. The country is besieged by bad news, but despite the political turmoil the everyday life of its people is more stable, rich, and rewarding than the media headlines would lead you to believe. A myriad local festivals and celebrations and a vibrant cultural life go unremarked. Pakistan has the eighth-largest standing army in the world and is the only Muslim-majority nation to possess nuclear weapons, but few know that it is also the home of two unique schools of art. This complex nation consists of various ethnic groups, each with its own individual cultures and subcultures, but which are unified by the common values of hospitality, honor, and respect for elders. Pakistani society has extremes of wealth and poverty, and daily life for most people is full of difficulties, yet everyone knows how to cope with crises. Creative and adaptable, Pakistanis are among the most self-reliant people in the world, bouncing back after major catastrophes. Culture Smart! Pakistan takes you behind the headlines and introduces you to many of the country's little-known traditions. It describes the vitally important cultural and historical background, shows you how modern Pakistanis live today, and offers crucial advice on what to expect and how to behave in different circumstances. This is an extraordinary country of enterprising, tough, and passionate people. Earn their trust and you will be rewarded many times over.

Genres: Pakistan, Cultural, Nonfiction

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Aisha Waris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect tourist guide, not any specific age-related. It tells about the country Pakistan and what it holds and reveals the beauty in the face of representing colors of life, its culture, and tradition and the great things it has to offer. Reading this book, people are able to look at it from the other side rather than the damaging negative news aspect. In a classroom, this book can be used to teach the children about living life positively and happily even if there are problems and poverty around. One thing I believe is missing and should be included to give the children a full round of information which includes how to deal with problems if encountered in Pakistan.

[Zak Sarkarati · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty well written and decently informative for my recent trip to Pakistan, a few parts of it such as the local phrases, conversation starters, and customs, definitely came in handy. However, because Pakistan is such a multi-cultural nation, and this book is meant to be a short and concise overview of that, it ends up having to make many generalizations about the culture. If you could find specific books on the cultures of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, etc. I'd probably recommend that instead, but that's not to say there isn't value in this.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful. I wish it had a bit more behind the culture (clothing, music, wedding traditions). Don't get me wrong it did cover these things but I would have liked even more in depth on those subjects. I have a new sister-in-law that is Pakistani and I wanted to know more

[Hayat Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple description of the intricate heritage , it's bird eye view that interests the reader.

[Myran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not completely up to date anymore, but certainly gives a good view of the culture of Pakistan! A good recommendation for when youre travelling.

[Emi Velez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, balanced information for someone who is ignorant to Pakistani culture

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are intending to travel to Pakistan, and have never been there and/or have no further connection to Pakistan, I would say this book is almost an essential reading, and this applies to the tourist, the business person and someone visiting family there. But not only for the traveller, but also if you are interested in different cultures this makes a very interesting read.

Understandably maybe, Pakistan has a very bad press and is not associated with a country to go on holiday to, which is a shame really as it has so much to offer. The book is keeping neutral whilst getting the right balance in introducing us to this amazing country, really waiting to be discovered. But, at the same time, it is important to know about cultural differences (not necessarily to do with religion) and also simple security measures.

Living in a European country, Pakistan couldn't be further different from my current surroundings. I have a Pakistani husband who left his home country many years ago and even he found many interesting facts he didn't know. I have been to Pakistan before I read the book and often thought 'Yes, exactly' but also still found facts where I'd wish I'd known it on my previous journeys.
Short enough, this is the ideal book to download on your E-reader and browse before you travel and re-read on the plane.

One of the issues with travel guides like this is that the situation in the country can change quickly, so one of my concerns was also to find the most current travel book on Pakistan, and this one from 2013 is the newest one I could find.
The book covers following: land and people; values and attitudes; customs and traditions; making friends; private and family life; time out; travel, health and safety; business briefing; communicating.

I am very much looking forward to my next trip to Pakistan.

http://thepegsterreads.blogspot.co.uk...

[Fiona Hallworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful background

Great overview. Covers essentials for tourists and business travellers.
Positives and negatives . Useful tips and helpful phrases,although guidance on pronunciation would be helpful.

[Theut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utile per organizzare un viaggio in un paese affascinante.