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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

515

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 Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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