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10 things I hate about the joint-family system
The word ‘privacy’ does not exist in anyone’s dictionary.
Sharing is caring — but only up to a point. After that things are just taken for granted and politics gets in the way of everything.
1. The word ‘privacy’ does not exist in anyone’s dictionary.
2. The never-ending need to compare and compete with others in the home. Just because my dad bought a new car after five years, the very next week my chacha has to buy one too. Or face everlasting shame.
3. My poor mum slaves in the kitchen to prepare a fancy dinner since my dad’s boss is coming round tonight (new cars cost money and a raise is always nice), and my chachi invites her kitty party jing-bang over to take advantage of the food extravaganza.
4. I understand that you are my cousin and live two bedrooms down the hall but that doesn’t give you the right to sneak into my bedroom in my absence, raid my dressing table, use my hair straightener, damage it and conveniently place it back in my drawer, pretending nothing ever happened.
5. Sharing is caring — but only up to a point. After that things are just taken for granted and politics gets in the way of everything. Whatever happened to Hum Saath Saath Hain?
6. There’s always a villainous character stirring up trouble and creating misunderstandings in the family. And just like the Star Plus soaps tell you, in most cases it’s the chachi.
7. FYI… they happen to be your Dada and Dadi too. You’re the first to snatch Eidi from them. How about being the first to run their errands.
8. It’s your 18th birthday and you decide to invite your friends over for dinner, but just because you didn’t invite your phuppa ki khala ki bahu, the khandaan will make you miserable for the rest of your life.
9. Everyone lives together but eats at different times, hence the poor maid has always got dishpan hands.
10. The entire family goes to a restaurant and waits over an hour to be seated, simply because a ‘table for 17 people’ is not available!
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 30th, 2011.
Reader Comments (23)
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wht nonsense article!
not xpected from ET to criticize koint family systemRecommend
all can be settled smar tly while living in Pakistan. so don,t wory…Recommend
haha funny aspects….Recommend
Hah! Trueness!
As always, readers don’t understand how it’s not meant to be the new bible. Carry on ET. Recommend
I’ve lived in a joint family for 24 years..
the love and care you get in a joint family, you will never get in a nuclear family
children in a joint family grow up to be responsible adults, and since you are living with your cousins the same way that you live with your siblings, you learn not to differentiate between them..
but then again..it depends on the training your parents give you..
in my case, i was taught to love my cousins the way i loved my siblings..
Recommend
waste of time. u should’ve scribbled it in your diary instead of sending it to a newspaper.Recommend
Man you really have issues! Move out!!!Recommend
take it on a lighter note guys, Recommend
Seems like the writer is explaining the things he hate while living with someone from other planet. I am living in a joint family system and I am pretty happy , and yes one thing more, i love my uncles, aunts, and my cousins and I consider them as my own siblings
Atleast try to live happily, with clear heart with someone, you can expect the same from themRecommend
This is funny and I know what you are talking about! But it all depends on personalities and families etc.Recommend
@Paras Vikmani:
Agreed with Paras VikmaniRecommend
I don’t understand one thing, why do so many people get all worked up when they read a BLOG which deals with lighter side of life? Why should there only be “serious” or “depressing” news in a daily? This is entertainment piece guys, you’re in Life & Style section of the website. If you want something serious and gloomy, read the ‘home’ or ‘Pakistan’ section. Is our nation so entertainment deprived that they can’t even understand the difference between it and news? Recommend
“And just like the Star Plus soaps tell you, in most cases it’s the chachi.”
LOL!!! very interesting article. :-) I believe there are pros and cons, but advantages outweigh the downsides.Recommend
Don’t know right or wrong but I lived in Giant Joint Family for 12 years and lemme tell you its a star plus drama 24/7. I’m sure my parents wouldn’t have separated if we lived as nuclear family !
Some times its not worth to ridicule your life with people you can’t live !Recommend
Yes, nice overview.. Every thing has its prons and cons like this.. Family system is fun. You never be alone even when u even want to be live alone. And when you living alone you are alone even you need some one presence. Family system always have funny things, drama and tragedy. Living seprate is just you. Family system may relaxe you as work is divided and any one who is free could do work but living seprately is your own, you have all responsiblity which some liked some take it as burden. Take your own decision as every one has different personlity and choices.Recommend
I am Living in a joint family .. but i think Joint Family is Blessings from GOD. Recommend
come on guys, give the writer a break, take it as detox reading!Recommend
Hahahaha!!
But honestly, the benefits of joint family system clearly outweigh its shortcomings.Recommend
I would second Hira Khatri !Recommend
Nonsense article from a frustrated writer Recommend
great work and seems all true. there are more bads than a good one in joint family.just live like a nature and u wil be happy.Recommend
Frankly, I hate my (dad’s) entire family and wouldnt visit them if someone paid me, let alone live with them. So, well done! There is nothing worse than insufferable relatives while growing up. Recommend
You need to start writing well, before preaching such nonsensical values. Please move out. I doubt your cousins are happy to have you!Recommend