We all know that Lagos is the bubbling city in Nigeria where everyone who wants to make it comes to (regardless of the traffic); but how can you tell when someone actually grew up in Lagos? What would you consider to be the characteristics of someone who grew up in Lagos?
Well, here are a few signs we’ve put together for you to let you detect if someone grew up in Lagos
They like the noisy life:
Photo credit: Naijauto.com
Have you been to Lagos? Honestly, at this point, it feels like Lagos is defined by the constant noise. From cars on the road constantly honking at each other to vendors, to religious buildings, Lagos is a hub of constant noise. But you see, you know someone who grew up in Lagos because they are unbothered by the noise. Nothing fazes them anymore; they are used to the noise like it’s the background music to their life. In fact, Lagosians who grew up here find it weird to live in quiet places.
The person seems street smart:
If you grew up in Lagos, you have no choice but to be street smart. Lagos is like a giant monster trying to find different ways to swallow you up and so you have no choice but to wise up, fast!. We’re not saying only Lagosians are street smart, but you rarely find someone who grew up in Lagos who isn’t.
Ready to change it, and we’re not talking about money:
Don’t get on the bad side of someone who grew up in Lagos. They will switch up on you without hesitation. Also, don’t assume you can take advantage of anyone because you honestly don’t know anyone’s origin story. Don’t get embarrassed in public.
Everything is fast-paced, especially their footsteps:
Lagos is a city in hurry, and so are the people who live here and grew up here. They have to match the pace of their city that does not sleep so that the city does not catch up to them.
They love the soft life:
Honestly, Lagos life is very bipolar. We just finished talking about how fast-paced the city and its people are, but in the same breath, Lagosians love the chill life. This might seem unbelievable, but some people who grew up in Lagos enjoy the easy life. It’s more as a result of, they’ve seen the hustle and stress of having to grow up in Lagos and now they just want to enjoy life. Remember, this life is only one.
Literally the life of the party:
Have you met a Lagosian that does not like to party? (Okay, you probably have) but, most people who grew up in Lagos love to party and be the life of the party. They know all the cool hangout spots and how to get their guys moving from one cool location to the other. They do not dull.
'Pricing' is an ultimate skill:
You cannot have grown up in Lagos city and not know how to ‘price’ goods. You should have learned all the tactics used by the vendors to beat them at their own game so that no market woman can cheat you. You probably learned how to price at a young age after getting cheated a few times and having to explain to your parents what happened to your money.
They know how to chop life:
‘Chop life crew, Jaiye x2’ as Mojo and Prettyboy DO said in their famous song. Lagos people know how to chop life like no one else. They work hard for their money so that they can chill hard with that money. They enjoy spending their money on themselves and things that make them happy. I mean, why hustle for money if you’re not going to use it to flex?
This is not to say that only people who grew up in Lagos are currently hustling about the city with these characteristics. It is very possible for anyone and everyone to develop these behaviours, especially once you’ve tasted Lagos and it has dealt with you. We’re just making these characteristics more noticeable to you in someone who grew up in the city of Lagos