26/12/2024
Back in 2011, during my time in East London, South Africa, I experienced a cultural shock that still sticks with me today. For the first time, I encountered people who would attend lectures for weeks without bathing. Coming from Nigeria, where daily showers (sometimes twice a day!) are a norm, this was hard to wrap my head around.
I remember struggling with this difference, especially having a college roommate back then who rarely bathed. It was tough to adjust, and honestly, I couldn’t wait to return home. Fast forward to 2017 when I migrated to the UK—despite the abundance of hot water, I was shocked to see that even here, many people don’t prioritize regular bathing. ????
It made me wonder—why is it that in Nigeria, bathing daily is almost non-negotiable? Is it the climate? Our upbringing? Or something deeper in our cultural DNA? ????
What are some cultural norms that you’ve encountered in other places that challenged the way you grew up thinking? Let’s share experiences and reflect on how crossing borders changes our understanding of “normal.” ????????
Comment below—I’d love to hear your stories! ????
