Pakistan

Loyalty to the family comes before all other social or business relationships in Pakistan. An individual ‘s identity is strongly rooted in his/her extended family. This includes distant relatives and neighbors.

Part of this loyalty includes protecting female relatives from outside influences. Your student may not be comfortable talking about his/her mother, sisters, aunts, etc. Asking questions about a person’s female relatives is considered inappropriate in Pakistan.

Pakistan is a hierarchical society, and a person’s age and position determine the respect due. This respect comes with the responsibility to make decisions in the best interest of a group.

The majority of Pakistanis practice Islam, and this is reflective in daily life throughout the country. For instance, everything is closed Fridays, as this is a Muslim holy day. If your student practices Islam, he/she may fast from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Fun Fact: Pakistan has the world’s largest irrigation system.