I remember how in Ghana the struggle to be relevant is so prevalent. Its like we were always worrying about our looks, our possessions and even the kind of people we hang out with. Everyone wanted to get the latest everything from hair, to phones to clothes, actually everything.
In my university days, you were not considered a chic if you didn't wear human hair, and with the influx of Brazilian hair, people could now differentiate between a big girl and a hustler.
It was like a thing of prestige to be seen with the latest phones. I know a guy who was owing another friend of mine from the sale of the iPhone 5 to him. According to my friend this guy had still not paid for the phone and recently this same guy hit me up on Facebook asking that I buy the iPhone 5S for him, and that he would pay when he gets the phone. I kept thinking why this guy would want to get the iPhone 5S when he already has an unpaid iPhone 5. Then I remembered that in Africa, how you looked and what you had mattered a lot, and that people treated you based on this.
But you see, it is very different here. Really nobody cares. They don't care whether you have a BBZ10, a Sumsang s4, a Nokia Lumnia and iPhone 5S altogether. You would be treated the same way as someone who used a Nokia 3310. People don't care where you shop, and everything is a matter of preference and not the 'I must belong' mentality in Africa.
In fact some of the rich people here are very frugal, you cant tell that the guy wearing just a jeans and shirt with no airs has a million dollars in his account.
I have been thinking about it, and I realized that it all boils down to how our system work. Over here, everybody is treated with a fair amount of respect, whilst in Africa, it is more like the rich get preferential treatment.
You are so right. I remember when I was still staying in Nigeria everyone wanted the latest everything. If you didn't own the latest car or phone you were not a chick. even babes stole/borrowed clothes from friends
ReplyDeleteBut, in the UK No one cares about what phone you using or what clothes you wear. everyone's the same!
You are so right! And middle class African people back home are the worst show offs I tell you!
ReplyDeleteTruer words have not been said!.... This is so spot on! Africa, oh my Africa, only God can help us with materialism. Like you said, here in d US, everyone is accorded an equal amount of respect whether poor, rich, broke, handicapped or whole, everyone is treated fairly. No wonder the society is progressive...... a society that believes in people will go far.
ReplyDeleteNice blog here!!!
So true!It is all about i-am-better-than-you-mentality! That is why crime would never decrease! Many want to belong by all means because it is money that brings respect. As it is said, empty barrels are the ones that makes the loudest noise!
ReplyDelete... One of the thinhs I loved about living in the UK - everyone is the same to a large extent. As the popular saying goes, 'Jand is a leveller'
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't kn why pple judge u base on wat u wear in nigeria, recently was suppose to travel to lagos cos I was broke I then fixed a cheap weavon 700 naira(2) and my frd was saying dat its nt my class haba for wat now pple are dying of hunger na hair be d wahala I no send am vain tinz I tire for some women
ReplyDeleteWe are all guilty of this including you guys living in jand. When you return home in most cases, you people always want to show off. I think we should examine ourselves and see if U have treated someone fairly whether poor, middle class or rich without any preferences. I have travelled outside many times and when I return, I try as much as possible to practice what I have seen there. its a task for all of us.
ReplyDeleteTrue talk
DeleteYou are right.
DeleteMany Diasporas returns home and gives a flashy impression of living abroad, and their comments can be condescending. I spoke with a relation recently, he was surprised my accent was still intact. I asked him why should it be otherwise? He said some that spend few months come back with an accent. Well, not me! I speak as i did when in Nigeria! Pidgin and all!
Some comments in blogs leaves much to be desired! Just like an anonymous in wc saying she weeps for Nigeria because someone suggested a bucket should be part of baby items to be bought for expecting mothers, to sterilize feeding bottles. I was irked with that comment but controlled myself and walked away. Now, what impression has she given? Was it not in Nigeria her own parents were born and she also? So why the attitude?
Correct jist ,I'm soooo loving your blog.lol
ReplyDeleteJand is a leveller.....i lived in london for 2 years and saw this fact well.....nobody cares....the only people sometimes would be when you walk into a highbrow shop but even then at least you will get a fake hello darling...lol...i think our african mentality with the class thing sucks....i have refused to join the rat race of wanting to belong cos i know alot of them fake arsed guys and girls who owe left right and center living large.....dont know about ghana but fake chics alot in lagos.....can write a whole book about this but lemme just spare u guys joo..lol
ReplyDeleteI feel self-conscious of what i wear, as long as it is neat and presentable. A jean and a top Period! Nobody cares because nobody would lend you money to pay your debts when you get into one. So live within your means!
ReplyDeleteMeant I DON'T feel self conscious. A typo.
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