Daily life in Pakistan

Here are some interesting facts about daily life in Pakistan that will help you to understand how school and education fit into your students lives and culture. 

• Food
• Because at least 95 percent of the Pakistani population is Muslim, there are two food customs that are followed almost universally. One is that Muslims do not eat pork (beef, chicken, lamb, and fish…), and the other is that during the month of Ramadan, fasting is a daily activity. 
• Spices and curry are an essential part of any Pakistani recipe.
• Green tea is the typical drink served at all meals.  

 

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•  Communication/Social Behaviour 
• Men shake hands with each other. Once a relationship is developed, they may hug as well as shake hands.
• Women generally hug and kiss. Pakistanis take their time during greetings and ask about the person's health, family, and business success.
• Pakistanis do not require as much personal space as most western cultures. As such, they will stand close to you while conversing and you may feel as if your personal space has been violated. Do not back away.
• Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking
• It is culturally appropriate to arrive between 15 minutes to an hour later than your hosts invite you over. 

• Economy 
• The average per capita income per person in Pakistan is estimated at $460 (U.S.). A large number of Pakistanis, estimated at 35 percent, live below the poverty line. 

•  Be sensitive to students who are participating in religious practices such as fasting especially during lunch periods. Ask if there is anything you can do to help them at these times.  
• Often because of the spices used in Pakistani cooking there can be strong smells and different looks than students in Canada may have not been exposed to. Make sure that your students are aware of different food choices for different cultures and that students are not singled out or teased because of the food they bring for lunches (This often happens with younger students and can cause unneeded embarrassment for ELLs).  
• In Pakistani Culture it is respectful to maintain indirect eye contact therefore do not demand students to look you straight in the eye
• Because of the amount of poverty in Pakistan, it is important to make sure parents know that they have full support from the school when it comes to having the right supplies etc. to set the student up for success. ie. have communal pencil crayon bins in the classroom for all students to use