Common 50 Naira

Ndukwe Odinachukwu, QuirksandPearls, common 50 naira

“Common 50 naira”

“Is it not common 15 naira pen?”

“Just to go to market you cannot go”

“Is it because I borrowed your jacket I won’t hear word”

“Just because of a book you are disturbing my life”

I’m sure all these must sound familiar. People say these things because they feel it is “just this or that” or it is “common”.

So on Friday on my way back home from work, I took keke napep (tricycle) to follow a particular route and normally, that costs 100 naira. If you stop at the junction where the keke is supposed to turn, it’s 50 naira. So basically, if keke turns, it’s 100 naira and if keke doesn’t, it’s 50 naira (that’s the simplest way I can explain it).

We were approaching that particular junction and the keke driver was not making any attempt to turn. So we passed it and I told the keke driver to stop, “Oga, where you dey go? I thought you were turning”. He started saying he thought I was going straight, blah blah blah. I then told him I’m coming down. I was so angry and I gave him money (100 naira). He was not making any attempt to bring any change. I then said “is it not 50 naira?” he started murmuring, I just left him.

I was thought about the whole thing as I was trekking the rest of the journey (which was annoying BTW). I was really angry because at the end of it, I spent 100 naira and I was still trekking. It really didn’t make sense.

If I had argued with the keke driver, it would have caused a scene, people would come around. At the end, they will find out that we are quarreling because of 50 naira. What people will say is “big girl like you, you are quarreling because of common 50 naira”.

Related: Opinions

So, common 50 naira. The 50 naira might be “common” but at the time, it is so much. The pain is not really the 50 naira. What was painful was the fact that I didn’t achieve anything, yet I lost an extra 50 naira.

I also thought about other circumstances. For example, your friend Kay, asks you to give her 1000 naira that she needs it for a pressing issue and you will get your money the next day or so.

So the next day you saw Kay but she didn’t bring up the fact that she is supposed to give you money. You wait the next day and the next and the next, still no show. So after a week you ask Kay for your money. Kay said she would give you tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes and Kay keeps posting you. Before you know it, there’s a friction between yourself and Kay because of 1000 naira. One day, you ask Kay for it again and Kay is like, “Why are you disturbing me? Just because of 1000 naira, common 1000 naira, I will not hear word”. Kay then becomes so rude and insults you.

One thing Kay never realized is that when she really needed that 1000naira, it seemed like a million naira. Another thing Kay failed to realize is that you have planned for that 1000naira but decided to give Kay based on her words.

What am I saying?

People are fast to dismiss things as common or easy without realizing that it is not as common or as easy as they think. The funny thing is they do it in such a way that they now become the victim.

This is wrong and people should learn to appreciate things and stand by their words. If someone gives you their pen to use and says when you are done, you should give them, please do.

Without them stating you return it, courtesy demands you return it. It’s not when the person is asking you for pen you will be like “just because of pen, I won’t hear word”. If the person had refused to give you, you will say the person is wicked. Now the person gave you, to return it is a problem.

Ndukwe Odinachukwu, QuirksandPearls

Sometimes I really don’t blame people for the decisions they have taken. It might make them seem wicked but they did it based on their experiences. For example, those that don’t collaborate with their friends in businesses or those that don’t lend their friends money. What of those that give you their things and stress that you return it?

The truth is, they have reasons for all these. Let’s learn to do what’s right and be considerate too.

Ndukwe Odinachukwu, QuirksandPearls

Meanwhile, you can connect with me on facebooktwitter and instagram @theroyaldeviant Also, don’t forget to subscribe, to get more of these kind of contents right in your mail box.

20 thoughts on “Common 50 Naira

  1. “Just because of common…” has caused strain to many relationships. Simply put, do not refer to things you do to others as common especially if it will irk the hell out of you when done to you. Let’s all be kind to one another, thanks for sharing.

  2. Even if it’s ‘common’, it’s the principle that matters. You owe me change of N10. Yes, it’s small, but it’s certainly not for you to tell me so. Give me my change. Principle.

    N1000 may be considered small, but out of principle, pay the money back if you were lent it. It’s certainly not ‘common’ if you asked to borrow it in the first place. And it’s doubly so if you keep running around when it’s time to pay back. Smh.

  3. I certainly can relate.

    It’s painful to come to terms with the fact that you suddenly become an enemy, just for helping.

    Thankfully, we get to learn from every life experience.

    I hope next time you get to associate with only those whom have earned your trust and if they haven’t, you give only what you can forgo.

    Above all, I think we should all learn to trust our instincts.

  4. For some reason, I found this post funny cause it reminded me of a friend. This girl wouldn’t mind fighting with a keke driver cause of N10, I tell you I’ve seen it happen. After all, it’s her N10.
    And those people that borrow money and refuse to pay back and starts calling it “common” something, are the worst. If it was so common why did you need me to loan you the money

    1. ? I can’t fight o. Before someone will just break my head. Highest, I’ll shout and leave.
      Ikr, if it’s common, why did you need it in the first place? SMH
      Sometimes, one has just got to let go.

  5. I feel like dancing around you then hugging you this my friend is expert!

    Thank you for writing on this every Nigerian needs to read this!

    Only in Naija somebody would borrow something and not return it sigh!

    50 Naira is not common it çan buy one cup of garri and sugar??

  6. Common things are no longer regarded as common and that’s because no one is willing to give in to the other. Just like the common slangs:”Common sense no common again”. Lovely post!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POST

Identifying less and less…

Photo by Kebs Visuals Every human has something they identify with. It’s what forms communities, friendships, networks, and so on.…

Is it okay to ask someone to be your friend?

Last week, I saw an Instagram reel about asking people to be friends. I decided to share it on my…

Having the right mentality

Having the right mentality is key, but it’s easier said than done. However, once gotten and used, it can change…

Why you should cry

Crying is so therapeutic. I like how after crying, that burden or tightness in your chest just releases, if not…

%d bloggers like this: