2. Put Your Wallet in Your Back Pocket

While most Lagosians are nice and helpful there
are always folks looking to take advantage of
unsuspecting tourists (and locals!). Never place
your wallet in your back pocket, as you are bound
to lose it – sometimes without even knowing.
Be smart, use common sense and keep an eye on
your wallet is , particularly when you’re in
crowded places such as Obalande, Oshodi and
Balogun market.

3. Flash cash around

Whether it’s when paying for things on the street,
counting your money or taking out a wad of cash
and then asking the waiter how to figure out the
bill, flashing cash is never a good move in Lagos.
The Nigerian currency is not hard to figure out.
Always keep a running tally in your head so you
do not have to whip out your cash and start
counting; this will also protect you from thieves.

4. Try to cut in line

With so many amazing things to do in Lagos,
sooner or later you are going to have to wait in a
line. Whether you’re queuing up to snag rush
movie tickets, trying to grab a meal at a popular
eatery or waiting to use an ATM in a shopping
mall, you are going to have to wait along with
everyone else.
If you stealthily try to make it to the front, you
will be caught and blessed with the wrath of a
crowd of scary, impatient Lagosians…and this is
not something you want to deal with.

5. Taste street food with no intention to buy

In some part of the country, street vendors will
encourage you to have a taste of what they are
selling, even if they know you may not end up
buying.
Some people actually eat to their fill by tasting
street food from numerous vendors. However, in
Lagos, if you are going to taste it, you better be
prepared to pay for a portion, even if it is as small
as NGN50 worth. Most street vendors will reign
insults and curses on you, while some other will
take a step further and cause an embarra$$ing
scene if you refuse to make a purchase.

6. Pay a hawker before collecting the purchase

Despite the ban by the state government, the
traffic in Lagos ensures that there are hawkers
lurking around to meet the needs of stressed and
tired commuters.
If you are looking to buy anything from a hawker,
never give them the cash before you receive the
item as there is a huge chance they will
disappear with your cash and the item. Also, if
they need to give you some change after
purchase, do not hand them the cash. Instead,
ask them to return with the change you need
before you make the purchase.

7. Compare Lagos with life elsewhere

This applies mostly to visitors. Do not spend time
comparing things in Lagos to things in other
cities in the country or even around the world. Do
not complain that it is crowded and there is
traffic almost on every street or that you come
from an area with cheaper transportation. It is
just rude to say where you come from is better
than Lagos – so why did you visit? Things are
DIFFERENT in Lagos. The sooner you learn and
accept this, the more enjoyable your stay will be.

N0 MANS LAND

Eko o gba gbere!