Saying I’m a fan of The Office is an understatement. I’m more than obsessed. It’s a show I can always turn to when I’m looking to feel a little better and have a good laugh when I’m feeling down. It’s more than comedy. The Office is a show with a heart. It’s taught me so much, and the timelessness of the entire series is evident in its growing cult following.
Here are 15 times The Office was so important for us Pakistanis to learn from.
1. Never be afraid of showing real emotion, especially if you’re a mard.
Something our mard need to understand is alright to not be alright sometimes. Reaching out is important.
2. Never underestimate the power of simple gestures to show you care.
The simplest gestures are often the most cherished.
3. Always believe that things will work out the way you want them to.
You never know what will happen – life is beyond our understanding and it’s far more unpredictable than we imagined.
4. Never lose hope.
Michael once told a besotted Jim to plough on through, when all hope was dwindling. Even when you think nothing is going right, you have to believe in hope. Because it’s always there.
5. Politeness will get you through life. Remember that.
“You give me a gift– Bam! Thank you note. You invite me somewhere– Pow! RSVP. You do me a favor– Wham! Favor returned.”
Andy’s politeness post his anger management classes have really done justice. He’s one to learn from. Rudeness and brashness are a turn-off and don’t make you better than anyone else.
6. There’s always time for a little fun. Always.
Acting a lil goofy brings out the inner child within. We’re far too serious as Pakistanis, and loosening up never hurt no one!
7. Hasaa karo.
Things get really frustrating here in Pakistan, it’s sometimes so wonderful to just let out a really good laugh.
8. Hugs are never overrated.
Where words fail, hugs exude all unexpressed words.
9. Always stand your ground.
Kelley is literally never afraid to be herself. If you believe in something, fight for it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
10. Always take care of your own.
Never, ever think showing someone you care about them is overbearing. Michael shied away from giving Erin advice once, but he realised the importance of family.
Or the fact that despite all the pranks, Jim does care for Dwight. Showing you care for someone isn’t egotistic.
11. And always value friendships The Office way.
Pakistanis are almost always down each others’ throats and we’re at times backstabbing each other. Friendships are a rarity. And I don’t mean the vapid shallow ones. I mean maintaining real friendships – the ones you value the most at 3 a.m. in the morning when everything is quiet.
And how can we forget this touching moment… take a leaf outta Phyllis’s book.
12. Life is unpredictable, you can’t plan it all.
We’re always planning things; it’s something that’s innate. Yet you have to understand that you can’t plan everything; you can’t. Let life take its course and see where it takes you. Jim and Pam left their planned wedding for a while because it didn’t feel right. They ended up at Niagara Falls.
And it was perfect.
13. Always be yourself. Everyone from The Office does it everyday.
Michael’s proposal to Holly was frankly the best onscreen proposal I’ve ever seen. They couldn’t have been more themselves!
14. There are no rules in eating what you want to eat and when you want to eat!
I feel like we Pakistanis sometimes get obsessed with diets and weight loss regimes – we’re fixated with eating the right thing and not indulging – it’s a vicious cycle.
So if you want ice cream for breakfast. YOU HAVE ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST.