A Tale of Impressive Hospitality

After being abandoned by the young, catfishing Pakistani man she had flown in from the United States to marry, then refusing to leave Pakistan, Onijah Andrew Robinson was eventually being admitted to a psychiatric ward for evaluation. This was after Yahoo News reported that Onijah had “gone viral for her interactions with local press where she’s demanded insane amounts of money and insisted she was going to ‘fix up’ the place.” It was reported that Onijah had left Pakistan and was on her way back to New York City on February 19, 2025– 4 months after her ordeal began. It is rumored that Onijah is being held in Dubai, however, and not yet back in the U.S.  – Image source of a Pakistani press conference with Onijah Andrew Robinson, Geo News

This is the incredible story of a country embracing one woman's dream, and it's been quite the journey. The world has been on edge, watching and reading Onijah Andrew Robinson’s crusade to meet love, which has put Pakistan in focus.

What do we know so far about Onijah Robinson? She is a 33-year-old woman from the United States who has become a viral sensation travelling to meet her 18-year-old online boyfriend, Nidal Ahmed Memon, in Karachi, Pakistan.

Onijah found herself in difficult circumstances. Memon and his family shut up the house and fled, but by using her resourcefulness, Onijah’s journey took on mission of sorts. Onijah set up camp in front of his house. There, concerned citizens surrounded her, and the media was alerted.

“America honours Pakistani officials who looked after Onijah” praised @newsglobeofficial, and Keri Hilson said she is so "grateful the Pakistani people have handled Onijah Robinson with so much patience," via @hollywoodunlocked. These Instagram posts, along with many more, celebrated and thanked Pakistan for their care and welcoming the viral sensation into their country.

What One Usually Expects in Pakistan

Having spent time in Pakistan, I have generally found the people to be warm, friendly, talkative, and ready to listen. They are curious people who want to understand things that are foreign to them and watch the unexpected—and the unexpected is what they get. But how did they react to Andrew’s persona?

The Pakistanis navigated her unusual requests gracefully by listening and acknowledging them without upsetting her. They came to her defence without offence, which put a smile on everyone's face. Instagrammers and TikTok’ers alike loved that she was bold by stating things that may have been true about the country. However, they were holding their proverbial breath, so to speak. Unfortunately, due to religious, political, and ideological views, Pakistan has been tarnished with the ‘difficult’ brush, which has contributed to a negative perception in other countries.

Pakistani Cultural Customs
Did you notice something about Onijah? I did, and this is something I truly appreciated about her: She was culturally appropriate. Yes, she wore clothing right for Pakistan. From her head covering to her pants, she dressed culturally and conservatively. I've travelled to Islamic countries, where I've seen tourists from China to America wearing short skirts, knee-high boots, and crop tops. Onijah really took her cues from her surroundings.

The Pakistani culture is vibrant; they live and love family, dancing, singing, and food. I know this all too well, being married to a local. Marriage celebrations are weeklong and come in a series of three. Family unit branches beyond your typical Western family, where there are cousins of cousins, great aunties, and uncles, and everyone has their own title to distinguish who they are in relation to your age and which side of the family.

When eating with Pakistanis, you may be given a fork and spoon, never a knife, unless you are dining at an expensive restaurant. Invariably, you will use your fingers to rip roti, chapati, naan, and paratha bread to scoop or swish together rice and dry curries with gravy or tandoori. They generally don’t have sweets to finish the meal off; instead, they may choose to eat sliced fruit or a hot, piping chai—without crushed and boiled spices.

Cricket is the way to go if you want to strike up a positive conversation. It has produced some of the world's best players, including legends such as Wasim Akram, Asif Iqbal and Imran Khan. Modern players such as Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Amir and Azhar Ali that you can casually mention. Cricket brings joy and pride to Pakistani’s and evokes satisfaction.

My Thoughts about Pakistan
Pakistan is an amazing place, but you need to heed caution, as not everywhere is safe. The landlocked nation is home to over 180 million people, each with their own distinct values, beliefs, and practices. There is so much to see, do, and write about, this and many of my articles only touch the surface of this beautiful country. Till next time! Khuda Hafiz

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette. Elizabeth has just returned to her home of Melbourne Australia, from a year living abroad and traveling.

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Pakistani Culture and Etiquette

Pakistan is a place of mystery to many, yet I have found it to be a place of curiosity and old world wonder that is emerging into the spotlight of global recognition.

The partition of British India in August of 1947 resulted in the birth of two separate nations, Pakistan and India, with Pakistan comprising two geographically and culturally distinct regions: West Pakistan, now known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and East Pakistan, now known as the People's Republic of Bangladesh. With this separation of the newly formed Pakistan, nearly a century ago, citizens had the liberty to indelibly grow culturally. 

Pakistani hospitality is renowned worldwide. Guests are treated with the utmost respect and warmth. It's customary for hosts to go above and beyond to ensure their guests feel welcomed and comfortable. I can vouch for this fact as I had married into a Pakistani family from one of its larger cities. Here is what you need to know when being invited to a Pakastani home.

It's polite to bring a small gift, such as sweets, nuts, dates, or flowers, or if you have flown in from another country, then something different that may not be found in Pakistan. When giving the gift to your host, hand it over with two or right hands, from woman to woman or man to man. Avoid gifting alcoholic drinks or products that contain non-halal items. Consider when you are being invited, clothing will change from day to night and on other specific occasions. Also, contemplate the city you are visiting, as each city in Pakistan has its dress code. 

For example, Karachi is a modern city; therefore, you will see women wearing jeans and joggers. Islamabad will vary as it's known as the ambassadorial area where semi-formal office wear is the norm mixed with traditional dress. Lahore is an older and more conservative city and, therefore, the traditional three-piece suit for women and semi-casual for men. Check-in with your host on what to wear, and always remember to dress modestly.

Before you leave your hotel or accommodation, you must understand that time can be flexible or rigid. Time is rigid if the host is currently serving in the military. Military families are well accustomed to being on time and the value of not wasting it. When you arrive at the host's house, remember to remove your shoes before entering the home because the roads are dusty and unsealed. Upon arriving, stand to greet a person when they enter a room. Greet the elders first with a polite "Assalam-o-Alaikum" and accept their blessings if they offer it. A blessing might be a hand on the front part of your head. Once you enter you are sitting it's vital that your compliment your hosts exterior or interior of the house, it will win you many bonus points for being observant and complimentary.

Depending on the family's views which could be conservative or modern, yourself and your partner maybe escorted away from each other into two rooms, one for men and one for women. Or you will be invited to sit down with the family to eat and enjoy time together in one room. You could be seated on a lounge or floor; remember to cross your legs or lean to the side with the sole of your foot facing the wall, never outstretched in front of you.

Likely, there will be children running around from room to room, it’s imperative to ask the welfare of children and talk over five minutes or more about each of them. Pakistanis put immense value on children in the family unit and are a great source of pride and joy. During the event, you will be peppered with personal questions. This is because it is a way to get to know you so they can hierarchically place you according to their social system. Questions could range from your family's background and your own family. What do you do for work, which university do you attend, and so on? I advise you to be prepared and answer respectfully; you in turn, will be able to ask the same type of questions as they value the questions importance.

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette. Elizabeth is currently traveling throughout India and brushing up on her Hindi.

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia