Do you make jokes at the expense of Pakistan?

[Saqs]

I know, for certain, that Pakistanis have the best sense of humour in the world. I mean, what other nation can go through what we have gone through and still come out and laugh at our own expense?

However, our ever-resilient sense of humour is not what this thread is about.

For those of us living abroad, do you find yourself making jokes about Pakistan infront of non-Pakistanis? Whether it be about the politicians, cricketers, the 'Taliban'/'Terrorist' angle etc.

I, for one, used to a couple of years back. Until I realised how damaging it could be for the reputation of our country infront of non-Pakistani colleagues/workmates/friends. Even seemingly harmless comments passed off in jest may contribute to the overall image that others have of our country.

Do you guys think this is a serious matter or am I looking into things too much? Again.

[FastBowler]

I think it is pretty serious if you're abroad and you shouldn't do this sort of thing.

[kingusama92]

You won't ever catch me praising personalities such as Zardari/Butt/Yawar Saeed.

I suppose it comes down to what you are cracking a joke about. If it's individuals such as the ones I listed above then I think it's fair game regardless of what others think of Pakistan. I say this because these individuals do not represent the Pakistan I love. They do not represent the common man. They are negative outliers in our lives that should be ridiculed across the world.

To be honest, most non-Pakistanis and their opinions are swayed by news channels rather then comments/jokes uttered by fellow Pakistanis. This is the way it's always been.

I suppose answering the question would have me say - yes, I do joke at the expense of Pakistan BUT only certain aspects. I don't go into full-on attack modes where anything Pakistani is worthy of joking about. Some of the topics concerning our country are serious and shouldn't be made as comedic ammunition [oh dear poor terminology there].

[Ismailtoca]

I mkae it with other pakistanis not others

[161]

Pakistan is a joke at my expense.

[Decipher]

I have made some jokes but not exactly against Pakistan ..... for example,

A guy gets extremely frustrated while waiting in a very long line to get flour (aatta).
He suddenly loses it and pulls out a loaded gun, declares in a loud voice that he is going to go and shoot Zardari, and walks away.

After a little while he comes back totally exhausted, frustrated and his head bowed down in helplessness. People ask, what happened? He goes ..... yaar wahaan iss sey bhi lambi line laggi hui hai.

[GLORY OF '92]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Pakistan is a joke at my expense.

Oh noes! Can you make one post without insulting Pakistan or Islam?

Re the thread I would say joking about Zardari etc is fine but other stuff can help to reinforce stereotypes/negative image.

[UmarAkmals-fan]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Pakistan is a joke at my expense.

to ja india ja afghanistan ma ja ka mar ghaddar

[AZ]

yes, but not in the company of non-Pakistanis, especially Indians.

apnon mey to chalta hai

[imran25]

Pakistan is innocent wo tu bol bhi nahi sakta

[cricket_fever]

Originally Posted by Ahmed Zulfiqar yes, but not in the company of non-Pakistanis, especially Indians. apnon mey to chalta hai

spot on

[Poison]

Haha, I think you've overthinking it SS.

I make jokes about Pakistan sometimes, its all light hearted though. If someone tries to get all serious like 'thats kinda funny but yeah terrorism is a major problem in Pakistan' they get an almighty punch

[jusarrived]

yes

[Pakistani93]

Originally Posted by UmarAkmals-fan to ja india ja afghanistan ma ja ka mar ghaddar

Exactly

[Pakistani93]

The only thing in Pakistan that i make jokes about IS Asif Ali Zardari

[saqlain]

Pakistanis are exceptions amongst Muslims in general who are the worst in humor. I have rarely seen Arabs or Muslims laughing at jokes. No offense to anyone here but it is just my observation. In Pakistan it is mostly Punjabis are can take the jokes. In many parts of Pakistan, making jokes about someone's ethnic group or caste or religion simply means "death sentence".

[MAJID-SHAH]

No i do not - and i don`t wish to start doing so.

[PakistanPaindabad]

Originally Posted by ahmed zulfiqar yes, but not in the company of non-pakistanis, especially indians. apnon mey to chalta hai

+1

[AZ]

Originally Posted by saqlain Pakistanis are exceptions amongst Muslims in general who are the worst in humor. I have rarely seen Arabs or Muslims laughing at jokes. No offense to anyone here but it is just my observation. In Pakistan it is mostly Punjabis are can take the jokes. In many parts of Pakistan, making jokes about someone's ethnic group or caste or religion simply means "death sentence".

lol, indeed, I agree, rest are over-sensitive.

[PakistanPaindabad]

Originally Posted by saqlain Pakistanis are exceptions amongst Muslims in general who are the worst in humor. I have rarely seen Arabs or Muslims laughing at jokes. No offense to anyone here but it is just my observation. In Pakistan it is mostly Punjabis are can take the jokes. In many parts of Pakistan, making jokes about someone's ethnic group or caste or religion simply means "death sentence".

Pathans are very good at taking jokes too.

[kingusama92]

Originally Posted by Poison Haha, I think you've overthinking it SS. I make jokes about Pakistan sometimes, its all light hearted though. If someone tries to get all serious like 'thats kinda funny but yeah terrorism is a major problem in Pakistan' they get an almighty punch

Don't you see the irony in what you wrote?

Terrorism in Pakistan comment followed by punching someone?

[Arsh_afridi]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Pakistan is a joke at my expense.

Pakpassion pay kia karney atey ho...Daffa ho ja Kahien NBA ya American soccer follow kar

[iHammad]

Never have, never will. And I don't appreciate others doing it in my presence either

[saj001]

I try to do something instead of critisizing or making jokes.

[Saqs]

Originally Posted by Poison Haha, I think you've overthinking it SS. I make jokes about Pakistan sometimes, its all light hearted though. If someone tries to get all serious like 'thats kinda funny but yeah terrorism is a major problem in Pakistan' they get an almighty punch

Lol this is actually why I started overthinking it.

At work, after the inevitable laughs that ensue a couple of my humurous remarks about Pakistan - I've had two or three responses along the lines of:

"Geez Mate! Sounds like a completely different world out there"

"Geez Mate! No wonder they're in strife!"

"Geez Mate! Let's go get a beer!"

That's what actually started making me think. Nothing affects the opinion of people more than 'word of mouth'. That simple light-hearted moment of brilliance that I partake in at work may end up being circulated amongst non-Pakistani friends and thereby the image is re-inforced.


What got me thinking on this was I saw a lot of my Indian/Sri Lankan friends actually never made fun of their own countries - but rather always talked about the positives of their country (Economy, Stock Exchange performance, Progress, Universities). The most negative thing to come out of my Indian friend's mouth about India was Bollywood.

Sure, the negatives like corruption are there. But we shouldn't make jokes about them infront of those who don't know any better (i.e. those who have never been to Pak).

What do you think?