Things that didn’t make it into my book
While writing Shifting Allegiances, there were so many aspects of culture shock I jotted down, with the goal of interweaving all of them into my novel. However, as with any book writing project, you have to take some and leave some. From talking to other African friends, who’ve read my book, I’ve found that they experienced similar culture shock moments.
To continue with that trend, here are some things that surprised me when I came to America. Feel free to add yours in the comment section.
Self flushing toilets - Can you imagine what it feels like to use the toilet, get up and hear the toilet flush behind you? I remember being scared. What the hell was happening? It took seconds to realize that the toilet had flushed itself.
Americans hanging up the phone very fast - In Nigeria, when you are ready to bid adieu to someone over the phone, you don’t hang up the phone immediately that’s done. You let at least 5 to 10 seconds pass after saying good-bye, before you hang up. In America, I was surprised that people hung up the phone, immediately you said good-bye. It was shocking. At first, I thought they were being very rude. Now I know that’s not the case.
Extremely cold movie theatres - American movie theatres are very generous with their air conditioning. I still remember the first time I saw a movie in the theatre. It was so cold, I spent a lot of time hugging myself and less time focused on the movie. Since that time, I’ve never gone to the theater without a jacket.
Holding hands with the same sex - in Nigeria, I held hands all the time with my relatives and friends. It didn’t take long to realize that in the U.S, if you hold hands with the same sex, people would think you’re gay.
Boarding school - I attended a boarding school in Nigeria. When you tell Americans you went to boarding school they assume you are rich. To get a sense of my boarding school experience, read Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond’s terrific book, Powder necklace.
Assertiveness of Americans - I grew up in a society where there was a dictatorship, where respect for age, title and authority is huge. If you were having difficulties getting adequate customer service, you did not ask to speak to a person’s manager. It just wasn’t done. Not the case with Americans. They asked to speak with managers. Young people called older people by name. a young worker could aim to get his boss’s job, if so inclined. It still never ceases to amaze me.
PDA - Oh boy. This just wasn’t done where I grew up. I remember one church I attended, a man in front of me was rubbing his wife’s back very tenderly. Very, very tenderly. I was grossed out. What the hell where they doing in a church? Now, I don’t give a darn. I look away.
Sexual Stereotypes of black people - This deserves its own topic, and I may write that one of these days. Anyway, it was surprising to me to hear about all the sexual stereotypes people have of black people such as black men being well endowed and black women being sexual tigresses. Actually, I will leave this for its own topic. There’s a lot to be said.
I also had to change some of my language.
For instance, instead of saying I want to Tong my hair, I now said I wanted to Curl my hair.
Instead of taking a Siesta, I now took Naps.
Instead of buying Meatpies, I now bought Beef patties.
More to come
To continue with that trend, here are some things that surprised me when I came to America. Feel free to add yours in the comment section.
Self flushing toilets - Can you imagine what it feels like to use the toilet, get up and hear the toilet flush behind you? I remember being scared. What the hell was happening? It took seconds to realize that the toilet had flushed itself.
Americans hanging up the phone very fast - In Nigeria, when you are ready to bid adieu to someone over the phone, you don’t hang up the phone immediately that’s done. You let at least 5 to 10 seconds pass after saying good-bye, before you hang up. In America, I was surprised that people hung up the phone, immediately you said good-bye. It was shocking. At first, I thought they were being very rude. Now I know that’s not the case.
Extremely cold movie theatres - American movie theatres are very generous with their air conditioning. I still remember the first time I saw a movie in the theatre. It was so cold, I spent a lot of time hugging myself and less time focused on the movie. Since that time, I’ve never gone to the theater without a jacket.
Holding hands with the same sex - in Nigeria, I held hands all the time with my relatives and friends. It didn’t take long to realize that in the U.S, if you hold hands with the same sex, people would think you’re gay.
Boarding school - I attended a boarding school in Nigeria. When you tell Americans you went to boarding school they assume you are rich. To get a sense of my boarding school experience, read Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond’s terrific book, Powder necklace.
Assertiveness of Americans - I grew up in a society where there was a dictatorship, where respect for age, title and authority is huge. If you were having difficulties getting adequate customer service, you did not ask to speak to a person’s manager. It just wasn’t done. Not the case with Americans. They asked to speak with managers. Young people called older people by name. a young worker could aim to get his boss’s job, if so inclined. It still never ceases to amaze me.
PDA - Oh boy. This just wasn’t done where I grew up. I remember one church I attended, a man in front of me was rubbing his wife’s back very tenderly. Very, very tenderly. I was grossed out. What the hell where they doing in a church? Now, I don’t give a darn. I look away.
Sexual Stereotypes of black people - This deserves its own topic, and I may write that one of these days. Anyway, it was surprising to me to hear about all the sexual stereotypes people have of black people such as black men being well endowed and black women being sexual tigresses. Actually, I will leave this for its own topic. There’s a lot to be said.
I also had to change some of my language.
For instance, instead of saying I want to Tong my hair, I now said I wanted to Curl my hair.
Instead of taking a Siesta, I now took Naps.
Instead of buying Meatpies, I now bought Beef patties.
More to come
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