《Being Nigerian In A Foreign Country.》Friendliness
Advertisement
You want to know one thing I love about my beloved country Nigeria? I mean, we might be lacking in various other things, but this one, we do it and do it well. It's the hospitality and the friendliness amongst people. Like even if you don't know the person, there is still this sense of openness among the people.
The Nigerian Police might not be your friend o, but the people? They've got your back. They are in one way or the other ready to help you when needed. There tend to be very little personal boundaries amongst and people don't keep to themselves as much.
People are not "stranger-phobic" in Nigeria.
It's just awesome, I tell you! It's what makes us unique.
You might not totally understand what I mean if you haven't lived in a country like England. So it might seem like a 'normal' thing to you.
Think about it.
In Nigeria, you know your neighbours, your neighbour's neighbour. You know Mama Nkechi down the street. You know Alhaji and his family opposite you. You know Bolanle that lives three houses away. Not only do you know them, you interact with them, you converse with them on a daily basis.
And guess what, when you need their help, you can confidently ask them. You need someone to babysit your children? Ask Mama Nkechi, and she'll look after them till you come back. She'll even feed them before you come sef .
You're cooking and you've run out of maggi? Knock on Bolanle's door and she'll hand some to you.
But here in the UK, it's like people are afraid of each other. Me I don't even understand. The Brits are very conservative, very private. They like their personal space. Maybe they don't trust each other, I dunno. But everyone just minds their business.
Advertisement
And to be honest, I don't think it's good.
It's in England you'll find signs like NO TRESPASSING or PRIVATE PROPERTY. KEEP OUT. And they freaking mean it!
My dad was reversing his car once, (this was when we first moved to the UK,) and he accidentally drove on a neighbour's grass - that is, the wheels of his car went over the neighbour's front lawn. And she stormed out to meet my dad to address it (like she was just watching from her window all the while.)
"This is private property," she yelled. "I don't appreciate you driving on it. It takes me hours to make the lawn look this good."
Can you imagine? Ordinary grass o. Hmm.
Another time, my dad parked his car in front of a neighbour's house (a different one) because someone had blocked him from parking in front of ours. You'd think it's okay right? I mean it's only a parked car, it's not the end of the world. But not for the Brits o.
This neighbour called my mum and was yelling, saying she should tell my dad to come remove his car and that he wanted to drive off but he can't (It's not like my dad's car was blocking his car o). He just didn't like the fact that my dad's car was parked in front of his house.
Like I said, very conservative and private people.
I was speaking to someone the other day and he said he's been living in his house for more 24 years now and he doesn't know who lives in the next house to him.
And in my head, I was like "Chai!!! That one is too much na."
How can you live in a place where you don't see other people that live around you, where you can't greet them or have a conversation with them?
Advertisement
Can you imagine? Things like that won't happen in Nigeria. We are just too nosy to let that happen. And I think it's a good thing though. You know what they say: "no man is an Island." We all need to be there for and reach out to one another.
Or am I wrong? What do you guys think?
I heard about an old lady who passed away in her house for a long time, and all the while no one noticed her absence. No neighbour noticed or bothered to check - because no one bothers to check up on people anyway and people don't often see each other. One day, this was about three weeks after she'd died, a postman came to deliver a letter to the house and perceived a very strong stench coming from the inside and decided to call the police to check. That was how they found out she'd been dead for that long.
How sad is that? It's heartbreaking. That poor old lady just died, alone. It made me think, "Did she not have a family? And if she did, how come they didn't know? How did they not find out early enough?
I don't think you can hear of such in Nigeria o, because first of all, Old people don't live on their own, they're usually surrounded by family who looks after them, or they might retire to the village, and even then they're still not alone and they have the help they need.
In England, most old people are either shipped to a care home or they end up living in their house, all alone.
It's one of the things I miss about Nigeria, the communal living. The fact that everyone knows everyone (although there are some disadvantages - everyone would end up knowing your business). But the fact is, in Nigeria, you can knock on your neighbour's door and ask them for a drink of cold water and they will offer you willingly.
Try that in England first and you will not know what hit you. Before you know what's happening, you'll find your sorry ass sitting in the back of the police van. You'll be done for "Invasion of privacy", abi is it "Trespassing on private property" - and the fact that you're black? That one is instant deportation. lol
Guys!!! Wow! Long time no update. *bows my head down in shame* 😟😟😞
I know, it's been like forever since I gave y'all an update. Where can I start apologising from. Even if I apologise sef it's not going to make up for the fact that I haven't updated since the 11th of October 2017.
😩
ite about and compare with England, and my non-Nigerian readers, if there's anything you want me to tell you about Nigeria, just leave it in the comments and I will try and do justice to it.
🙏🙏
And please don't be a ghost reader, okay? Click on the yellow star.
Thank you!!! 😘😘😘
Advertisement
- In Serial60 Chapters
Truck-Kun's Adventures in Isekai-land
When a truck gets run over by a random man, it was reincarnated into another world with the power to send anything it runs over to earth. There's going to be a lot of chaos... ------ https://discord.gg/PstJTKM (Release schedule: never) The story is mostly in 1st pov, but it switches to 3rd pov occasionally, mostly for scenes taking place on Earth.
8 216 - In Serial280 Chapters
Era: Dawn of the New Gods
Concise Synopsis: This is a post-apocalyptic story about the origins of various powerful figures that appeared after the apocalypse event. During the apocalypse monsters appeared possessing powers and constitution beyond the limits of human understanding. They ravaged the world and brought down all governments. The first part of the story follows Jade, a terrorist that was ravaging the world before the monsters arrived. Dramatic Synopsis: The New Gods, the most feared and revered beings on the planet. They are forces capable of absolute destruction and creation. The Council of Branches Hayley, the Living Lie (if that is her real name) Chao Feng, the Prince of Stars Lara, the Mother of Heroes The Great City of Tver Gog, the Ever Losing War The Unkillable Freak Dave, the Flow Demon Avatari, (only the name is known) Satoshi, the Gentle Hurricane As Impactful as they are no one knew their origin, they are called the New Gods so there must be Old Gods. I and my collegues dedicated our lives to finding their origins only to find out that the beings we fear and adore were once like us, average, mortal and weak... at least most of them were. *It is a sort of reverse RPG as no one knows anything either skills, abilities or how the system works but they find out on their own or develop their own skills or abilites. *The story has many protagonists and point of views but it paints a beatiful story of survival in a world of endless perils for both the humans and the monsters(some monsters are protagonists). *There is a system but it is very limited (not overpowered) and treats everyone equally, monster or human. The system is very different from regular systems; no exp, levels and system items. *The story is a world building story where overall, the world is the true main character. The cover image photo is credited to Angel David *For now it's one chapter a day
8 102 - In Serial12 Chapters
The Final Dream
This is a D&D style Choose Your Own Adventure story focusing on you (an investigator for the Order of Chaos) as you try and uncover a serial killer within the city of Alderbrand. Your failure could doom the very world itself. This story will continue for the next writathon, I'm putting away time to write for it during the next one. I am sorry that work got the better of me during this one.
8 163 - In Serial9 Chapters
I am infamous
Kessler a boy who was taken to another unknown land while playing an intense game, woke up as a newborn child who struggles to adapt to his new life as young heir to a strong and ancient family follow his adventures as he slowly reveals his terrifying talent and discovers the hidden wonders the world has to offer.
8 212 - In Serial8 Chapters
Quest
A light Sci-Fi Coming-of-Age Novella. Luke travels with his alien friend on his coming-of-age journey, when his friend falls ill. Luke must find a job and help others in order to save his friend. He is helped by Dawn and others, and is able to help many others in return. He thwarts a terrorist attack, saving friends and others, and in the end manages to save his friend. At a pivotal moment, he realizes he has found the love of his life.
8 174 - In Serial35 Chapters
Realm of the Stars Volume II: The Endangered Crown
The second volume of a space fantasy trilogy inspired by the Arthurian mythos! Sequel to The Unclaimed Crown. Artakane ast Carann has been crowned queen of the Dozen Stars - but not all are eager to accept her reign. The young queen must now learn to lead as enemies threaten the kingdom's tenuous peace. Pakorus ast Orlanes is the son of the kingdom's former regent. Determined to prove his worth, he pursues his own investigation of the assassins who murdered the previous queen - and what he discovers, together with an unlikely ally, will shake the galaxy. Darius ast Sakran is the greatest swordsman in the Dozen Stars, but when his father allies with a group of rebellious nobles and their secretive backer, he will find himself forced to choose between loyalty to his family and to his conscience. Latharna Dhenloc is an orphan without a past, raised by a mysterious guardian - and she is a brilliantly gifted warrior. When chance brings her to the court of the Dozen Stars, her path will cross with the queen's, and she will find herself catapulted into a world of danger, excitement... and love... When the Kingdom is shattered by civil war, it may be left for these four to save it - and if they fail, a tyranny that once held all humanity in its grip may be poised to rise once again...
8 85

