8 things ABCDs do when they arrive in Pakistan
Many relate to them as their angraiz cousins who visit desiland once a year upon forceful insistence of their parents
Many relate to them as their angraiz cousins who visit desiland once a year upon forceful insistence of their parents. PHOTO: FILE
'American-Born Confused Desi' or 'ABCDs' -- a term first coined to describe first-generation South Asian youth, who are born and raised in the US -- is quite self explanatory when it comes to the predicament faced by this lot.
They suffer from an identity crisis day in and day out and who can blame them? Many might relate to them as their ‘angraiz’ cousins who visit once a year upon the forceful insistence of their parents. With their strong American accents and disdain towards everything Pakistani, they are hard to miss. Without further ado, here is the stuff they are made of:
1. The 'Amreekan' accent
Their conspicuous accent is a clear giveaway. Admit it, you've had difficulty keeping up with what they say half the time.
2. Non-stop whining
They hail from the land of central air conditioning, and in our country, the only thing more promising than a working fan is never ending load-shedding. Whether it's the heat, pollution or traffic -- it drives them up the wall.
3. Adaptation at its finest
Call it adaptation, ABCDs tend to change colours like chameleons when they arrive in the 'Land of Pure'. From their dressing sense to their habits, everything takes a turn for the 'better.'
4. But first, let me take a se--cond phone
Mugging is a common phenomenon, one which they've heard numerous horror stories about and don't wish to experience (nor does anyone, really).
In fear of losing their latest gadgets, their iPhones are left at home under lock and key and replaced with the oldest Nokia phone available -- one that has probably been discontinued since 1994.
Little do they know, muggers have learnt a few tricks of their own.
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5. Water? Make that Nestle, please
In order to avoid waterborne diseases, ABCDs prefer drinking bottled water. The only brand they trust? Nestle. Nothing else cuts it.
6. Spice up!
While they are extremely particular about their water, the same cannot be said about their food preferences.
Everything from chaat, gol gappay, dahi baray, paratha rolls to dhabbay ki chai and gola gandas, ABCDs leave us locals behind when it comes to cleaning their plates.
7. “Vot paindus”
When relatives try keeping up with their accent, it only serves to make them look like a fool.
8. Your WiFi is so s-l-o-w
We've come a long way from dial-up, but not far enough, apparently. Our internet speed is another matter which doesn't fail to irk these souls. Let's be honest, we feel them on this one.
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But we'll give them the benefit of the doubt, they do their best to fit in and they're quite entertaining to say the least. Three cheers for our ABCDs!
They suffer from an identity crisis day in and day out and who can blame them? Many might relate to them as their ‘angraiz’ cousins who visit once a year upon the forceful insistence of their parents. With their strong American accents and disdain towards everything Pakistani, they are hard to miss. Without further ado, here is the stuff they are made of:
1. The 'Amreekan' accent
Their conspicuous accent is a clear giveaway. Admit it, you've had difficulty keeping up with what they say half the time.
2. Non-stop whining
They hail from the land of central air conditioning, and in our country, the only thing more promising than a working fan is never ending load-shedding. Whether it's the heat, pollution or traffic -- it drives them up the wall.
3. Adaptation at its finest
Call it adaptation, ABCDs tend to change colours like chameleons when they arrive in the 'Land of Pure'. From their dressing sense to their habits, everything takes a turn for the 'better.'
4. But first, let me take a se--cond phone
Mugging is a common phenomenon, one which they've heard numerous horror stories about and don't wish to experience (nor does anyone, really).
In fear of losing their latest gadgets, their iPhones are left at home under lock and key and replaced with the oldest Nokia phone available -- one that has probably been discontinued since 1994.
Little do they know, muggers have learnt a few tricks of their own.
9 kinds of Pakistanis we come across everyday
5. Water? Make that Nestle, please
In order to avoid waterborne diseases, ABCDs prefer drinking bottled water. The only brand they trust? Nestle. Nothing else cuts it.
6. Spice up!
While they are extremely particular about their water, the same cannot be said about their food preferences.
Everything from chaat, gol gappay, dahi baray, paratha rolls to dhabbay ki chai and gola gandas, ABCDs leave us locals behind when it comes to cleaning their plates.
7. “Vot paindus”
When relatives try keeping up with their accent, it only serves to make them look like a fool.
8. Your WiFi is so s-l-o-w
We've come a long way from dial-up, but not far enough, apparently. Our internet speed is another matter which doesn't fail to irk these souls. Let's be honest, we feel them on this one.
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But we'll give them the benefit of the doubt, they do their best to fit in and they're quite entertaining to say the least. Three cheers for our ABCDs!