Boondock Saint

Great question — the short answer is: they are closely related but not exactly the same. Here's a breakdown:

1. Shared Ethnic Roots
Indians and Pakistanis share deep historical, genetic, and cultural roots. Both countries were part of British India before the 1947 partition.
Most people in Pakistan today are descended from the same Indo-Aryan and Dravidian ethnic groups that populate northern and western India.
2. Major Ethnic Groups in Pakistan
Punjabis – the largest ethnic group (similar to Indian Punjabis, but mostly Muslim)
Sindhis – share cultural links with western India (especially Gujarat and Rajasthan)
Pashtuns – more closely related to Afghan ethnic groups
Baloch – also found in Iran and Afghanistan
Muhajirs – Urdu-speaking migrants from India after partition
Others – Smaller groups include Kashmiris, Hazara, and Saraikis
3. Major Ethnic Groups in India
North Indians – Indo-Aryan descent, with ethnic overlap with Pakistan (Punjabis, Kashmiris, etc.)
South Indians – Dravidian ancestry, very different linguistically and ethnically from most Pakistanis
Tribal and indigenous groups – like the Adivasis, distinct from mainstream ethnic categories
Wide diversity – over 2,000 ethnic groups and 1,600+ languages/dialects
4. Religion as a Major Divider
While ethnically related in many ways, the biggest difference today is religion:

Pakistan is overwhelmingly Muslim.
India is mostly Hindu, but also has large Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and other minorities.
5. Visual and Genetic Overlap
People from northern India and eastern Pakistan (like Punjab) often look and sound very similar. You’d likely have a hard time distinguishing them by appearance alone.

In Summary:
Very similar in the north, especially among Punjabis and Kashmiris.
More different in the south, where India's ethnic diversity increases and Pakistan doesn’t have corresponding groups.
Religion and national identity now play a much bigger role in perceived difference than ethnicity alone.

quote:

---

To the middle aged couple in the Ponchatoula Walmart parking lot…

---

It's probably already been said but your first mistake was going to Wal Mart. Just stay away from that place if you want to avoid trashy people...

Life insurance is just another form of legal gambling. I'm only talking about term life here.

When I buy a term life policy (let's say a 20 year policy) I'm putting down money on a bet and the only way I win that bet is if I die.

If I live then the insurance company keeps all my money and wins the bet. It's pretty bizarre when you think about it.

Many years ago I actually considered selling life insurance, but ultimately I couldn't stomach it. It just felt sleazy and dishonest. I'd rather just be a blackjack dealer....

This can’t be upvoted enough!

Really nice, somewhat expensive underwear (Mack Weldon) and socks (Bombas).

Same for most clothes in general. I bought some $150 Tommy Bahama jeans lately and they are super comfortable.

Trying to treat myself to better quality clothes as I get older (almost 50....)

Again???

quote:

---

I think I would like to live in Idaho.

---

I just moved here about a month ago. I'm in Boise and it is phenomenal. I'm sitting here today in my office with the door open and the sun is shining with basically no humidity and it's 62 degrees.

Of course, there are four seasons here and there was some snow and cold weather, but I didn't realize that Boise itself does not get much snow (nothing like the midwest, Chicago, etc.).

I was first struck by how different it is here when I went to two different post offices and the postal workers were incredibly pleasant and helpful. Then I went to a Dairy Queen and I was shocked at the polite young person serving me. I keep noticing these little pleasantries as I go about my day to day life.

Oh, and we are now officially full, so don't get any ideas (say all the locals as hordes of Californians move in).

quote:

---

I was not the least bit surprised to see that the lady involved has a neck tattoo.

---

I would have only been surprised if she did NOT have a neck tattoo...

Oh, and GUILTY on all counts

quote:

---

Trade it for a white Chrysler lebaron.

---

Ha! This is the only acceptable response to the OP. :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

ETA: That is a true pimpmobile.....

At 49, I've grown more in the last 5 years, both personally and professionally, than I had the previous 15 years. I feel like I'm just really getting my second wind and want to keep this growth going until I retire.

If you start thinking you are "capped out" then you will be. Don't accept it, and it won't happen.