I was told my last post had too much content but no narrative, quantity instead of quality, thus I decided to ponder on only one specific topic today.
Yes, I am white. Yes, I am from the West. No, I don't have money. I am tired of people trying to rip me off wherever I go. It's the taxi drivers (I know by now that it's 400 Naira to get from my workplace in Wuse 2 to my place in Gwarinpa) that tell me prices between 800 and 2.000 Naira, it's the sellers on the markets that want to sell me a basket of tomatoes for 500 (when it's 200), it's the credit guys that "don't have change" and expect you not to insist.
I understand that the common perception of white people is that they are equivalent to money. Sadly enough, some of us aren't. I am doing an unpaid internship with an organization aiming at deepening social democracy in Nigeria. I don't get paid anything whatsoever and I had to make my own arrangements to come to this country and be able to afford working here. What sounds like a paradox and a contradiction in itself in the first place is amplified by the constant attempt by Nigerians to rip me off. I am here to help, I am here to contribute so things might eventually change for the better. I am not crazy, I know that me being here will not change the country dramatically, but I do believe that the work my organization does has an impact and I am part of this organization, actively trying to help. Trying to rip me off wherever I am, no matter what I do is not exactly the kind of gratitude I deserve. God knows I am not one of these rich expats, that stay at Hilton, Sheraton or Nicon Luxury, only sourrunded by other oyinbos and maybe some security personnel. I stay in Gwarinpa with no running water and no electricity most of the time, I buy my food at the market and cook for myself, I even take the bus back from work to save some money. I really do not live a very luxurious life around here, but that still doesn't stop anyone from trying to squeeze money out of me.
It's either money or sex that people see in me. I m not a maga, and I m not here to be someone's mistress. I should really start wearing a sign stating the following: "No, I don't have money - and no, I don't want to sleep with you even if you do."
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People dont get that dear and I completely understand your frustration. The nation is still composed of bunch of illiterates with little or no education at all. I don't know exactly what part of Abuja you are in but from your descriptions, I can for sure tell that you are living like an average Nigerian and we still do not have that much of a middle class.
AntwortenLöschenNevertheless, everywhere in Nigeria, its gonna be the same in market places except in registered stores and malls. Obviously, The stores and malls are not available everywhere. They are stuffs still kinda luxurious in many places in Nigeria.The fact that you're European makes the market women feel you should be able to afford everything. That is what you get from poverty stricken minds. A mind not used to social benefits, a mind that grew from peanuts, a mind made to understand that survival is the only key to success. No access to education or any intellectual building mechanism:)
Cheers,
Yusuf.