Book 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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

rather unbalanced
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 themajor 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.

By No Means Uninteresting
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.

Not for Professional Women.....
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 thoughtit 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!

Not for Professional Women.....
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 thoughtit 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 definately recommend this book
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 seriesas 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!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Only a picture book!
This is only a picture book; I gave it one star because the pictures are very good. The content does not live up to the photography.The book only reflects the glories of the past. There no pictures of the capital of Pakistan, no pictures of tribal groups, no pictures of the picturesque painted buses, no pictures of protesting crowds, no picture of contemporary textiles, buildings, life styles. It reveals nothing about tribal structure, religious sects, political and governmental organizatiions. The book is much-glorified history, not culture. It shows off the cruel art of ancient regimes, not the culture of the people today. I have rarely been so disappointed in a book.
... Read more

Book Description
Until now, in-depth cultural information on Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim country formed in 1947 after the dissolution of British rule in India, has been scarce. This crucial South Asian hotspot, in the news for tensions with neighboring India over nuclear capacity and security issues, finally is illuminated for general readers. This narrative encapsulates the historical pluralistic traditions, such as religious practices, languages, and ethnosocial ties, that Pakistanis share with their neighbors. The coverage of culture and customs is contextualized throughout with the richness of the past and present Indus Valley civilization. The author is a native of Pakistan and provides authoritative insight into the many aspects of history and contemporary life. Western readers will be exposed to a range of folk traditions that coexist with modern influences from globalization. Descriptions of unfamiliar cultural phenomena such as the architecture of shrines and tombs, the distinctive dress of different groups, Pakistani Muslim courtship and marriage rituals, and lively kite-flying contests are some of the highlights. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Insights on Pakistan alone
Iftikhar H. Malik's CULTURE AND CUSTOMS OF PAKISTAN joins others in the 'Culture and Customs of Asia' series but is especially notable given how much Pakistan is in the daily news lately. Until now in-depth cultural information on Pakistan alone has been hard to find in one place: this survey covers culture and customs past and present, and comes from a native of Pakistan whose insight into history and culture is unparalleled. Descriptions of ethnic, religious, and social customs include plenty of background history and discussion of trends. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Pacific Affairs, published by University of British Columbia on June 22, 1993. The length of the article is 881 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Culture, Class, and Development in Pakistan: The Emergence of an Industrial Bourgeoisie in Punjab.
Author: Hassan N. Gardedi
Publication: Pacific Affairs (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 1993
Publisher: University of British Columbia
Volume: v66Issue: n2Page: p291(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
This book has three themes: language, education, and culture. The way they relate to each other and to the central issues of the distribution of power in Pakistan is the major focus of the book. It also deals with the way language, language-planning, and the use of language in educational and cultural domains relate to power. ... Read more