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17 Things You Can Relate To If You Grew Up In An African Household

Situations you can probably relate to in you have African blood coursing through your veins.

Julia Taboh

Jan 25, 2016

University of Houston

525

17 Things You Can Relate To If You Grew Up In An African Household

Whether you were born in the states or abroad, there are several factors common to most African households. If you have African blood running through your veins, you can probably relate to these.

1. Your parents are never ever wrong. Never. Even when they are, they’re not.

2. You see that container of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”? Yeah, it's not butter. Literally.

https://www.facebook.com/africanmuzikmag/videos/546673405480309/

3. Get used to sarcasm. It’s a way of life with parents. Especially mothers.

4. Don’t ever complain about how difficult your life is. Your parents will tell you about how they had to walk through miles of mud to get to school – barefoot.

5. If you are a girl, forget about boys until you’re ready to get married.

6. If you value your life, you will never ever talk back to your parents or give them any kind of attitude.

7. Your parents will always need you to fetch the remote for them. Even if you’re in your room and the remote is on the table in front of them.

8. You can probably recognize Agatha Moses anywhere.

9. The words “Can I go over to [insert friend’s name]’s house for a sleepover/party?” don’t exist in your parents’ vocabulary.

10. Every adult is addressed as either aunty or uncle regardless of whether or not you’re actually related to them.

11. Whatever you do, DO NOT talk while receiving a beating. It only serves to further anger them and intensify your beatings.

12. The dishwasher will never actually be used to wash dishes. You hand wash everything and use the dishwasher to dry them.

13. Events go on ALL NIGHT! If you know you are going to some sort of party, do not plan on going back home before 3:00 a.m.

14. The pickup lines are just...something else.

"Baby you are the only butter in my bread." "You are the only hair in my armpit."

15. Sending your younger sibling to ask your parents for something without mentioning your name (almost) always backfires.

16. Your parents will chastise and criticize in all kinds of ways at home, but will brag about how great you are to everyone else.

17. No matter how annoyed or angry you get with your parents, you always want to make them proud.

*Bonus: No one dances like Africans. Absolutely no one.*

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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17 Things You Can Relate To If You Grew Up In An African Household

Situations you can probably relate to in you have African blood coursing through your veins.

1. Your parents are never ever wrong. Never. Even when they are, they’re not.

2. You see that container of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”? Yeah, it's not butter. Literally.

3. Get used to sarcasm. It’s a way of life with parents. Especially mothers.

4. Don’t ever complain about how difficult your life is. Your parents will tell you about how they had to walk through miles of mud to get to school – barefoot.

5. If you are a girl, forget about boys until you’re ready to get married.

6. If you value your life, you will never ever talk back to your parents or give them any kind of attitude.

7. Your parents will always need you to fetch the remote for them. Even if you’re in your room and the remote is on the table in front of them.

8. You can probably recognize Agatha Moses anywhere.

9. The words “Can I go over to [insert friend’s name]’s house for a sleepover/party?” don’t exist in your parents’ vocabulary.

10. Every adult is addressed as either aunty or uncle regardless of whether or not you’re actually related to them.

11. Whatever you do, DO NOT talk while receiving a beating. It only serves to further anger them and intensify your beatings.

12. The dishwasher will never actually be used to wash dishes. You hand wash everything and use the dishwasher to dry them.

13. Events go on ALL NIGHT! If you know you are going to some sort of party, do not plan on going back home before 3:00 a.m.

14. The pickup lines are just...something else.

15. Sending your younger sibling to ask your parents for something without mentioning your name (almost) always backfires.

16. Your parents will chastise and criticize in all kinds of ways at home, but will brag about how great you are to everyone else.

17. No matter how annoyed or angry you get with your parents, you always want to make them proud.

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The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

1. When you get your acceptance letter

2. When you try to figure out how class enrollment works

3. When it’s move in day

4. When you arrive on campus and see all of the attractive people

5. FROG Week

6. When you find your squad

7. When you visit DHall (RIP) or EHall for the first time

8. When you take on way too many credits

9. When you go to your first party at JMU

10. When the rival school shows up for the homecoming game (or any game really)

11. Sunday Brunch

12. When you see the infamous “preacher” for the first time

13. The first snow day

14. Madipalooza

15. When finals week rolls around

16. When you have to say goodbye

17. And when you finally get to go back

Do you have a small get-together or throw a big bash?

1. Your family and friends ask what you want for your birthday, so you give them a list of options.

2. You're super excited about your birthday the week before.

3. Your family flies in town to celebrate with you.

4. Your siblings wake you up.

5. Your friends are so excited to be with you on your big day.

6. If you work, your office might throw a party for you.

7. For your actual party, you plan a small get-together with close family and friends ...

8. ... or large celebration with everyone you know.

9. You eat the best meal you've had in weeks.

10. You devour the first piece of cake proudly.

11. You embarrass yourself somehow.

12. You get the present you really wanted but thought no one would get you.

13. You are a little sad about getting older.

14. That feeling wears off and you realize how happy you are to have family and friends to celebrate this day with you.

15. The morning after your birthday looks something like this.

Syllabus week doesn't exist.

You can forget to breathe OR to buy fruit OR to even pet a dog but you cannot forget these things!!

All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

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