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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

522

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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Recommended for you

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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It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

You can't just go to your room to take a nap in the middle of your classes.

Having to spend all your extra cash on gas for your car.

Speaking of money, you probably don't have a meal plan so you're forced to scrounge up some change or mooch off of your friends.

It can be harder to maintain the friendships you make with people from class.

Finding a parking spot.

It can be harder to be involved on campus because between your one, two, or three jobs and school you don't have much free time.

When you try to be super involved on campus, it can kill your sleep schedule.

It's impossible to do homework at home, but staying on campus isn't an option sometimes.

There are surveys and events that you can't participate in because you're a commuter.

Group projects are the bane of your existence.

Traffic.

Your backpack rivals that of a survivalist trekking in the woods.

Driving all the way to campus to find a note on the door of your classroom saying class was cancelled.

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

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