KARACHI:
The way we drive our vehicles, conduct ourselves at a buffet, arrive late on every possible occasion, and dispose of our daily garbage are just some behaviours that not only expose our true national character but also provide us with a striking insight into various facets of our culture, values, and social norms. We seem to take pride in disregarding traffic laws, excessive honking, and showing a complete lack of concern for the safety of other drivers and pedestrians. Cat and dog road accidents don’t even count. Likewise, the way we handle (or rather mishandle) our garbage showcases our appalling and shameful attitude towards the environment, cleanliness, and personal responsibility.
One area where the educated can outperform the uneducated is in littering wherever we go. Wasting food at wedding parties or buffet restaurants is yet another notable characteristic. We don’t feel satisfied until our plates are filled to the brim, only to leave them half-uneaten. Punctuality is nowhere to be seen or heard; it seems to be a taboo word! Generalisations about a nation based on certain behaviours are often seen as oversimplification since every individual is unique. But is that really the case for us? At least on this front, we seem to stand united.
Lubna Jaffar Ali Misumi
Japan
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2023.
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