A colossal majority of the Pakistan’s population inhabits small towns/villages while only a small proportion gets to live in big cities like Lahore, Karachi or Islamabad. Living in small cities might be immensely peaceful for some of us but it is also true that it comes with its own shortcomings. Limited access to top-class universities, restaurants and shopping malls is merely one of them.
In order to give our fellows in the small cities something to relate to (because the government ignores them anyway), we have compiled a list of all the little things they have to go through, during the course of their lives.
1. Your life is pretty simple. You study with the same people from Nursery to Fsc/A-levels. Consequently, you rarely get out of your comfort zone.
2. You cannot date openly or do silly things because there are literally 2 or 3 restaurants/hangout spots in your city that are almost always inhabited by your mom’s colleagues or your brother’s friends.
3. In case you have to shop for your sister’s wedding, you have to go all the way to Karachi or Lahore because… branded clothes, you know.
4. You hardly have to experience traffic jams/ rush-hour traffic. You are just not familiar with the long waits at the traffic signals because let’s be honest, there are no traffic signals in your city to begin with.
5. Night life = non-existent. Unless, you are having a sleepover at a friend’s place (only if your parents genuinely trust him or her). The panicky phone calls from your mother never stop, though.
“Lahore/University ja kar apne saray shoq pooray karun ga/gee.”
6. Your free time revolves around reading books, running around the house, googling stuff or going to the only family restaurant you are fortunate to have in your city.
While planning hangouts, you do not even have to text the name of the restaurant you are going to meet in. It is always pre-decided.
7. Even the common brand names like Khaadi or Beechtree are not accessible and most of you stay happy with the simple lawn clothes your mother buys for you.
8. Getting to hear “Did you actually go to a proper school?” as soon as you introduce yourself to your Lahori/Karachiite university fellows.
“Jee nahi, bus home schooling hee hui hai hamari tou.”
9. If, God forbid, you tell them that you don’t like Pizza or the McDonald’s beef burger, they will automatically assume that it’s because your taste buds are not accustomed to eating the city food.
“So, do you want us to take you someplace desi?”
10. Being asked “Ap kay shehar main shopping malls/marts hote hain? Shopping kahan se karti ho?” almost every time you go out with your Lahori/Islamabadi/Karachiite friends.
11. However, your small city is the only place you come running back to when you are craving for some mind peace.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you are any less than those living in the big cities.
More power to you, fellas.
Cover Image Via: boston.com
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