Lagos is the most vibrant city in Nigeria.If you are travelling to Nigeria and you end in Lagos,It’s seductive charms are legendary, and for good reason.
Inviting cafes and lounges, lustrous boutiques, top notch museums, and an impressive restaurant scene make Lagos the runway model of the beautiful,fashionable, confident, and inspiring envy at every turn.However, its size and scope can make it a
challenge and sometimes, you are faced with certain experiences that
make you wonder at a traveler’s love with such an elusive town.
To avoid having these experiences,here is list of 7 things you should never do in Lagos.
Skip your fare in a bus
Taking public transport, including the Moluwe and Danfo buses, may be the cheap option of transportation in Lagos, but it is not free.
A fare is usually required and it is
important you ensure you have enough cash to settle the transport fee
before jumping on the bus. While it might be tempting to skip your bus
fare, either because you think the conductor will not notice or you
believe you can come up with a story touching enough to make them waive
the fare, don’t do it. The public embarrassment and possible physical
harm will not be worth it.
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.
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.
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.
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 embarrassing scene if you refuse to make a purchase.
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.
Written by Nkem. http://blog.ng.jovago.com
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