Stereotyping...

So, I was on my own today. Well, technically I wasn't on my own. I had 30 minutes to spare and my phone's battery was dead and I didn't have a book (I have not read any book since I read Ted Dekker's nonsense) so I resorted to taking a stroll and also decided to people-watch. I love people-watching, very amazing things you discover from people-watching. Anyway, I digress.  I was taking my blissful and peaceful stroll, thinking about my blessed life and envisaging my even better future when I noticed a tiny kiosk right in the middle of the mall. Since, I was window shopping I decided to check out this kiosk that sold colorful phone accessories. While I was surfing, one of the guys approached me and tried to advertise his stuff. I wasn't going to buy so I told him point blank to not stress himself. Anyway, we got talking,  myself and the two guys; we were talking about phones and gadgets and things like that. When all of a sudden the conversation drifted to one of them asking where I am originally from.

Before I continue with what happened today, let me say something. The driver of one of the buses I sometimes take, usually tells me about how his barber is Nigerian and how Nigerians are great people. In fact, I often get irritated when each time he sees me, he starts to 'lament' about how we Nigerians are very wonderful people. I smile and thank him for his kind words.

So, when the young man from today asked where I was from, I put up my award winning, million dollars smile and proudly said;

"I'm from Nigeria."

I was expecting to hear some more accolades and encomiums but our luck had worn out this time around. I was not surprised, I just wasn't expecting it.

"WHAT?!" He screamed.

"You fucking Nigerians, ohhhhhh  you fucking fucking Nigerians."


In my mind, I was like, "Ki lon shey eleyi" (What's wrong with this one?) I was expecting to hear 'some lame-ass' story of how his greedy self sent some money to a Nigerian and then ended up being duped. Ladies and gentlemen, I was not wrong. He told me a silly story about a Nigerian sending a check to him and how the check bounced only after he had sent some money to the Nigerian. Bla bla bla. Bottom-line, I diagnosed him with something my people call 'Ojukokoro' uhunnn, yes, GREED! Surprisingly, I was just laughing all the while he was acting his one man drama. I kept on laughing and laughing and laughing. His friend/colleague was even trying to caution him. Homeboy kept rambling about Nigerians. Thinking back now, I'm asking myself 'What was so funny anyway?' His greed or my people who have caused me this much embarrassment? Actually, I was not embarrassed, not even a tiny bit. I had a good hearty laugh and walked away. Prior to walking away, I noticed his spoken English was incoherent because I did not understand anything he said about how he was duped. I didn't.

"I'm from Pakistan."

I laughed again and walked away.

I really understand the gentleman's pain, I really do. It's sad honestly. I'm not going to waste my time rambling about some discontented, irresponsible, lazy, young people in Nigeria who spend their lives duping other people for a living. I don't have that type of time. My point though is that, stereotyping is just really somehow. Your experience with one person should not determine your impression about a whole group. Now, I truly believe and maybe even agree with those who say: "There are only two types of people; good and bad."
                                                   
All the while the previous man (the bus driver)  kept praising Nigerians, a part of me may have been saying (in my mind) wait till you meet the bad eggs. The fact that he knows one good Nigerian doesn't mean every Nigerian is good and vice-versa. Preconceived notions are what cause so much disappointments sometimes. I know my Pakistani guy has learnt his lessons, in a hard way too for that matter. But I also know that if maybe he had been wary initially, he may never have fallen into the trap in the first place.
Just so you know, I did not feel bad or embarrassed and if there's anybody this sort of thing has ever happened to, I believe you should not feel bad. You should only feel bad if your own personality is awful. Mine isn't. I'm happy, the guys from today had a good impression of me prior to talking about my origin. Believe it or not, there are MANY good, no, GREAT Nigerians. It's just that sometimes, one bad apple may spoil the bunch. Now, there are some other group of people who may wonder why I didn't get patriotic and defend my country. Sorry oh, e pele, ndo, but 1.) I didn't have the time, literally. 2) I  just didn't  feel like. It can be exhausting trying to be positive sometimes. 3) Nothing I said would have brought back Mr. Pakistani's money or even changed his mind for that matter. 4) There really was no time. 5) Okay, fine let me stop giving excuses, maybe I'm really not a patriotic person after-all. *Shrugs*
Actually, I am! Lol
Love,
I.

                                        

                                                                         (source)

P.s; I put this above image, just because. I think I like the quote though even if I don't necessarily agree with it completely. One day soon, I will blog about feminism! I can't wait to.