137. DO YOU CAUSE UNNECESSARY DISCOMFORT TO OTHERS? Jack’s Japa Empowerment - Diaspora Handbook - Nijaa Diaspora Empowerment
137. DO YOU CAUSE UNNECESSARY DISCOMFORT TO OTHERS?
Living abroad necessitates a degree of self-awareness that not everyone takes seriously. Many Nigerians arrive in the UK without adjusting to cultural norms of personal space, respect, and regard. What you consider harmless at home, may cause pain to others here. This is not about giving up your individuality; it is about living properly in a common space. Sometimes success is measured not just by what you do, but also by how others see you.
Simple things matter. Speaking too loudly on public transport, cooking with strong-smelling spices in shared housing without ventilation, or turning every gathering into a noise festival, can be upsetting for neighbours. In Nigeria, such things may be overlooked, but in the UK, they can strain relationships, and even lead to complaints or eviction. Understanding boundaries is part of integration.
It also involves emotional awareness. Do you impose on other people's time because you assume they are available? Do you borrow without returning? Do you demand others, to continually adapt to your own cultural patterns, without offering to meet them halfway? These minor details cause tension, which might make your presence feel weighty rather than pleasant. Immigrants who learn to live in peace with their surroundings are more likely to prosper over time.
Being considerate does not imply losing yourself. It means making careful adaptations. If you want respect and acceptance, start by giving it. Learn to read the room, respect privacy, and accept the fact that our society cherishes order. A reputation for being polite will lead to more opportunities, than a habit of making others uncomfortable.
At the end of the day, the way you carry yourself reflects not just on you, but on every other immigrant around you. By causing unnecessary discomfort, you reinforce negative stereotypes. By being mindful, you prove those stereotypes wrong.
Comments
Post a Comment