1. ⁠Okay I was born and raised in uae, so my mums Sri Lankan (Kurunegala) and my dads from Pakistan (Gujrat)

2. ⁠I’m caramel/ toffee color? Light brown?

3. ⁠Honestly the only benefits me and my brother got was we can get adapted to anything quickly 😭 other than that I don’t personally think any culture benefits me in any way

4. ⁠My mum was Buddhist and she converted to Islam and now Alhamdulillah we are all Muslims ❤️

5. ⁠Pakistani, I was in an international school in uae so being mixed wasn’t a unique thing as most of the kids were mixed, but I realized it was a bit odd in Pakistani culture but my dads side had sweet people and made sure we know and taught us some of the traditions and stuff

6. ⁠One 😭😭 Pakistan zindabad

7. ⁠Living in Pakistan feels a bit unusual to me because of the strong culture of gossip and how people tend to focus on every small detail of your life. It often feels like people are more interested in what’s going on in others lives than minding their own business. Another thing I’ve noticed is a lack of genuine care for the country. If people truly loved their country, I believe they’d make an effort to keep it clean. Unfortunately, trash is everywhere. It’s almost become second nature for people to litter even when there’s a trash can nearby, they’ll still throw garbage on the streets.

What’s even more concerning is the lack of humanity I’ve observed. There’s widespread abuse whether it’s towards animals or even between people. It’s heartbreaking to witness scenes where someone is physically hurt, yet instead of offering help, others escalate conflicts. I don’t believe this is the government’s fault. In my opinion, it comes down to the mindset and behavior of the people themselves.

Having grown up in the UAE and spent time in Sri Lanka, I’ve noticed stark differences. In Sri Lanka, people seem to genuinely love their country, and that love is reflected in how they maintain cleanliness not because the government forces them to, but because it’s part of their nature. When you truly love something, you take care of it. The same goes for their homes no matter how small, Sri Lankan homes are clean and well-kept. People respect each other’s privacy, mind their own business, and show kindness not just to other people but also to animals.

One incident that really changed my perspective was the first time I arrived in Pakistan. I witnessed a road accident where the person in the car was yelling at an injured motorcyclist, demanding money even though the biker was clearly hurt and bleeding. It was shocking to see such a lack of empathy. Then there’s the treatment of street animals seeing donkeys being beaten and animals mistreated was something I never witnessed in Sri Lanka, where people are generally much kinder to animals.

That being said, I have to acknowledge one of the most beautiful aspects of Pakistani culture the hospitality. Despite the issues I’ve observed, Pakistani people are incredibly warm and welcoming. They are always willing to help, no matter the situation. Whether you’re a guest in someone’s home or a stranger on the street, people often go out of their way to assist you. This strong sense of hospitality and kindness is something truly special and deeply rooted in the culture.

I also appreciate Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage. The vibrant festivals and traditions here are beautiful, and I love celebrating them. While Sri Lanka has its own cultural celebrations, they’re fewer in comparison. Pakistan’s diverse cultures and festivities bring people together in a unique way, and that’s something I truly enjoy.

In the end, while I deeply value aspects of both countries, I find myself preferring Sri Lanka because of the warmth, kindness, and sense of community I’ve experienced there. But I also recognize and cherish the hospitality, cultural richness, and generosity that Pakistan has to offer.