The Contrast of Cultures

Picture is AI generated

Comparing Nigerian culture with European customs often leaves you with a sense of admiration for our forefathers, who instilled in us values that are as vibrant and meaningful today as they ever were. I was reminded of this on a recent journey from Stratford Westfield after a shopping trip. Seeking a peaceful respite, I chose to sit on the upper deck of a double-decker bus, hoping to enjoy the view during the long ride home. Not long after, two young white girls joined us. To my surprise, they opted to stand rather than sit next to anyone, whether Black or white. A voice crackled through the speaker, “There is no standing on the upper deck, please.” Yet, the girls seemed to ignore the announcement entirely, continuing to stand. For about three minutes, they stood stubbornly, and a quiet tension began to fill the air. It was then that one of the girls, perhaps sensing the discomfort around her, reluctantly sat down. But the other girl remained defiant, still standing. As I glanced around at the other passengers, I could almost hear their silent thoughts. Their faces, though quiet, conveyed the shared sentiment. One Nigerian passenger muttered in pidgin, “Na wa for these oyinbo people, make we see which levels,” followed by an expressive hiss that said more than words could capture. Three more minutes passed before the bus driver, now visibly annoyed, took the microphone and firmly instructed the remaining girl to sit down. Only then did she begrudgingly comply. Had this drama unfolded in Nigeria, the scene would have played out entirely differently. The atmosphere would have been charged with voices rising in unison: “Wetin dey do this girl? You no dey hear word?” “If you no wan sidon, why you no go buy your car?” “Conductor, abeg, come comot this one from here. See as e be self!” In the UK, however, there’s a culture of minding one’s business. Even if your neighbor is struggling to breathe, people may avoid intervening, not wanting to get involved. This cultural indifference stands in stark contrast to the Nigerian way, where looking out for each other is second nature. In Nigeria, we don’t just mind our own affairs; we care for our neighbors, and we correct them when needed. It’s common to see people stepping up to ensure that others behave with decency and respect, even if that person is not their own child. This sense of community, which is of shared responsibility and compassion, is one of the things that makes our culture uniquely rich. Yet, as we strive to “oyinbonize”, a colloquial term used to describe the process of adopting Western ways, which many of us are slowly forgetting this communal instinct. We begin to internalize a more individualistic mindset, disconnecting from the strong bonds that once defined us. But no matter how much we might try to adopt foreign customs, we must remember that at our core, we are Africans first. It is this deep sense of belonging, of collective responsibility, that makes us who we are. It’s this tradition of looking out for one another, of holding each other accountable, that makes our culture so uniquely beautiful and meaningful. In a world that’s ever more divided, it’s a value we should hold dear, cherish, and pass on to future generations.