both a major sin and a mental illness. Not only this, but the sexual freedom of the Sex and the City characters simply doesn’t translate to a conservative Muslim society. Perhaps it’s that freedom itself that has so many people dreaming; staying single forever means enjoying a lifetime of possibilities and opportunities, something that sounds extremely exotic to people whose lives are mapped out for them by their elders at every stage of existence.
     But the “love ‘me and leave ‘me” lifestyle of Carrie and the girls is something that Pakistanis should be glad they don’t have to emulate. For all its glamour the Sex and the City life is one that doesn’t seem particularly stable or comfortable. It’s not all Mahnolos and makeovers; it’s a lot of pressure to remain that thin, that trendy, and that attractive all the time to an endless parade of fussy, picky men. Of course, here in Pakistan, you have to be like that not just to men but to their mothers as well, but that’s not the point. At some point in the day I bet Carrie wishes she could just take off the high heeled shoes, eat anything she wants, and live the slow, unhurried life every once in a while (she won’t admit it, though). And although Pakistan may not have designer shoes, slick eateries, and a slew of rich, eligible men, being able to relax and not be on call as a sexy siren all the time is a luxury we do have in great abundance. In fact, you could say it’s our specialty. So for those of you who don’t identify with everything Carrie Bradshaw wears, says, and does, my advice to you is to enjoy being not very Sex in the City, because you’ll probably be outnumbered before the year is through.