₦airaland Forum

abbeyty:
So, how many african contry have you been to?i bet it couldn't be more than two or three, I can tell you tha all these remain seem alien to some African, even in Nigeria some igbo dont believe in calling who is older than you brother or sister (which some yoruba find so insultive), they call you by your name including siblings. So,dont use what you saw in two or three african countries your went to as a yardstick to judge a whole of africa.

laudate:
And I still insist that you should stop saying what you do NOT know! I have been to more than 8 African countries in East, West and Southern Africa. And each of these countries have various ethnic groups, with different traditions, cultures and rules of engagement. I asked you earlier: "How many different ethnic groups or African cultures, have you interacted with?" You still cannot give a clear answer.

Even in Nigeria, there are over 250 ethnic groups, with different cultural practices and customs. And so many of them value seniority and place a great premium on respecting elders. So how can you say it is only in one ethnic group, that they do not call elders by their first names? Did you conduct a survey of all other ethnic groups? So if "some Igbo don't believe in calling who is older than them, brother or sister and they call you by your name, including siblings" does it mean all other ethnic groups practise this same thing? Biko, grow up abeg!.

blueSpartan:
God bless you for this.

This particular issue is frustrating,they even put it on the heading of the exam question.

laudate:
Guy, every culture has its' own dynamics. There are rules of engagement for every form of interaction. And this applies in every society. I don't have a problem referring to anybody by any kind of title he likes. My only issue, is the kind of interaction we have and how much positive impact he or she is willing to release upon my life. One of my greatest mentors in college, was a man we all fondly called Chief, even though he never held any traditional title. We gave him the title, out of deference to his age. The chap was a walking mine of information, a study in humility and a tower of support to many of us. Always willing to go the extra mile, for others.

It was a sad day, when we lost him. I have had some lecturers and bosses, who were addressed by their first names and turned out to be bullies and jerks!

Tellemall:
Your last paragraph doesn't mean you cannot call people by their names. They weren't "jerks" because of that. Releasing "impact" on people has nothing to do with names.

There is nothing wrong in calling people by their names. What else will you call them by? There are names and nicknames.

laudate:
You address people the way they want to be addressed. So what's the issue? If someone prefers to be addressed by his first name, it does NOT make him better or smarter, than someone else who does not like such a familiar form of address.

abbeyty:
You cant still judge the whole content with what they pratice in those over 8 African countries you went. Mind you i only used igbo as an example there are still some other ethnic groups in Nigeria that call themselves by first names. I think is you that needs to grow up and stop imposing your bully belief on others

Tellemall:
You mentioned that people you know who preferred to be known if a first name basis are jerks.

That is a generalization. I've not mentioned such myself.

You're saying that only those who have pseudonyms are approachable and kind by your last post.

TheRealAdonye:
Speak for yourself.

laudate:
Go back and read my post again. With an open mind. I referred to the fact that calling people by their first names, does not prevent them from being jerks, or bullies. Show me in black and white where I wrote that "only those who have pseudonyms are approachable and kind."

Tellemall:
That was your message to anybody who read that. It sounds like your defense for people not being called by their names is that it has not stopped them from being "jerks", and that those who do not go by their names are great guys.

People will agree that's what you posted previously.

Point is, people should be called by their names. Apart from close family, there is no reason not to refer to a person by their name. Most reasons for not doing so don't make much sense.

laudate:
Guy, again I repeat: go back and read my post slowly with an open mind. And you would see where you erred, in trying to make sense of my remarks. I am a firm believer in calling people by whatever names they prefer, or addressing them in whatever way they would like to be addressed. The issue of identity is central to the soul of every human being. If that bothers you too much...too bad!

Tellemall:
Whatever.

HigherEd:
The average Nigerian cannot deal with any slight authority he has over a fellow human. In the attempt to get the respect he doesn't want to earn, he makes people his subjects and fear induced sycophants.

Word!
That's the blatant truth. I don't know what is wrong with us as a people to be honest. I remember my stay in NCCF back during service and I was just horrified and irritated with the way some so called leaders would behave so unkindly to the people they perceive as lower. It is indeed a Nigerian thing.....

chukuly:
HAHAH...Nigeria lecturers are indeed in dearth of intellectual impartation. ...all they know is to dictate notes from materials of 1970s for us..

louisa4luv:
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Hi. I'll like to run msc chemical engineering in ABU and I'll like to ask you some questions like when is the form out, duration, cost and any other information you can volunteer. Thanks

HigherEd:
The average Nigerian cannot deal with any slight authority he has over a fellow human. In the attempt to get the respect he doesn't want to earn, he makes people his subjects and fear induced sycophants.

Word!
That's the blatant truth. I don't know what is wrong with us as a people to be honest. I remember my stay in NCCF back during service and I was just horrified and irritated with the way some so called leaders would behave so unkindly to the people they perceive as lower. It is indeed a Nigerian thing.....

rusher14:
You call your lecturers by first name in the UK. In Nigeria you are doomed should you refer to a professor as Dr.

I insist Leadership in Nigeria is a microcosm of our general society.

yeyerolling:
Schooling in the uk made me realise nigeria was beyond redemption.