Now Ye're Talking - to an African Dubliner

Boards.ie: Niamh

Our next volunteer to do an AMA is a man who has come to live in Dublin via Lagos, Nigeria. He was born in Lagos but moved to Ireland with his family thirteen years ago when he was a teenager to the suburbs of Dublin. Since then he has made Dublin his home and has become an Irish citizen.

Timi loves to take photos and blog about Dublin so he may tell you a little about that too if you ask

---
My own question for you - was there a huge culture shock involved when you first moved to Ireland or had you visited before your family made the move?

Omackeral

Hi!

My first question is sports related. Do you like football? Can I guess that you are an Arsenal fan if so? Most Nigerian people I know are Gunners fans! Have you ever attended any League of Ireland matches?

Do any of your family have awesome names? I've heard some cool ones like Goodluck, Marvellous and Wisdom. There needs to be more of these names around.

Finally, do you know of many/any white people in Nigeria with distinctive Nigerian accents? That's something I've never heard or seen.

Thank you an best of luck with your AMA.

ElleEm

Omackeral wrote: »

Do any of your family have awesome names? I've heard some cool ones like Goodluck, Marvellous and Wisdom. There needs to be more of these names around.

I know of a Blessing, Godswill, Success, Gold and Godstime. Deadly names!

My question is around cultural norms. How do you/ have you adapted to Irish norms. For example, I know that equality in the home is something African women I have met can get frustrated with. They are here years, yet their husbands do not adapt to the more "modern" way of helping with the kids/ housework/ earning money. Do your family / friends struggle with these issues?

Thanks for doing this, I think it will be really interesting.

Sir Osis of Liver.

Congratulations on your citizenship Timi.

What made your family choose to live in Dublin over the other European cities?

Penny Tration

Congratulations on your citizenship!

Have you experienced much racist abuse in your years in Dublin? I hope not, but i fear so.

uck51js9zml2yt

What tribe do you belong to? Do you speak its dialect.

I've a lot of yoraba and Igbo friends but was talking to someone recently who only spoke English.

I love dough balls

Congratulations on your citizenship.

What one thing about Dubs would you say you like most?

What one thing about Dubs would you say annoys/frustrates/freaks you out the most?

Which photo of Dublin that you've taken would you call your favourite?

Have you got into the habit we have here of saying "grand" the way people in other English-speaking places would say "nice", "fine" or "OK"?

An bhfuil aon Ghaeilge agat (Have you learned any Irish)?


Sorry, that's a few questions, so be selective if you have to.

Nib

Are you usually this quiet?

darraghdoyle

What are the things about Ireland it has taken you longest to understand?

If you have any political aspirations, what are three things you think you might "easily" change in Ireland?

What's the biggest fashion mistake that most Irish men make regularly?

La_Gordy

Where do you recommend for Naija food in Dublin?

I Am Timi, AMA

Boards.ie: Niamh wrote: »

Our next volunteer to do an AMA is a man who has come to live in Dublin via Lagos, Nigeria. He was born in Lagos but moved to Ireland with his family thirteen years ago when he was a teenager to the suburbs of Dublin. Since then he has made Dublin his home and has become an Irish citizen.

Timi loves to take photos and blog about Dublin so he may tell you a little about that too if you ask

---
My own question for you - was there a huge culture shock involved when you first moved to Ireland or had you visited before your family made the move?

Funny you ask Niamh, when I first came here and someone first said to me, "howaya" I swore I wasn't in an English speaking country!

The only real shock I had here was how much alcohol permeates society; apart from that, I've been lucky enough to live far and wide in my lifetime ��

I Am Timi, AMA

Omackeral wrote: »

Hi!

My first question is sports related. Do you like football? Can I guess that you are an Arsenal fan if so? Most Nigerian people I know are Gunners fans! Have you ever attended any League of Ireland matches?

Do any of your family have awesome names? I've heard some cool ones like Goodluck, Marvellous and Wisdom. There needs to be more of these names around.

Finally, do you know of many/any white people in Nigeria with distinctive Nigerian accents? That's something I've never heard or seen.

Thank you an best of luck with your AMA.

I do love football!

And no, sorry to disappoint you but I am not an arsenal fan (my dad is). Many Nigerians are either Chelsea or Manchester city fans these days (I am neither).

My family have normal names very boring right? We are - Timi, Dami, Temi and Tomi (very imaginative!)

I actually have a few friends with an American mom who lived in Nigeria their whole lives until after high school!

Phew!

p.s. I'm watching the Arsenal game at the moment...

I Am Timi, AMA

ElleEm wrote: »

I know of a Blessing, Godswill, Success, Gold and Godstime. Deadly names!

My question is around cultural norms. How do you/ have you adapted to Irish norms. For example, I know that equality in the home is something African women I have met can get frustrated with. They are here years, yet their husbands do not adapt to the more "modern" way of helping with the kids/ housework/ earning money. Do your family / friends struggle with these issues?

Thanks for doing this, I think it will be really interesting.

I know exactly what you mean! I mean, why move if you are not going to assimilate some of the culture?!?

Most of my friends are Irish (born) as a matter of proximity and my girlfriend (of 7 years) is Irish. I do more cooking and cleaning up than she does ������

I Am Timi, AMA

Sir Osis of Liver. wrote: »

Congratulations on your citizenship Timi.

What made your family choose to live in Dublin over the other European cities?

Thank you!

My dad was here training pilots in the 80s and apparently he loved it.

Here I am.

His are stuck with me!

scudzilla

Do you like Cheese? What is your favourite type of cheese?

Is there much of a difference between the cheeses of Ireland and those in Nigeria, like, can you pick up a good cheddar in Nigeria, also what is the most popular cheese in Nigeria?

I Am Timi, AMA

Penny Tration wrote: »

Congratulations on your citizenship!

Have you experienced much racist abuse in your years in Dublin? I hope not, but i fear so.

Thank you!!

I have but not enough to dampen my love for Dublin (and Ireland)

Read more on that - http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/growing-up-black-in-dublin-1891695-Jan2015/

I Am Timi, AMA

Kamila Chilly Ginger wrote: »

What tribe do you belong to? Do you speak its dialect.

I've a lot of yoraba and Igbo friends but was talking to someone recently who only spoke English.

I love dough balls

I'm a Yoruba man! And I do understand the lesser levels of its inner workings!

I speak a bit of French, Portuguese and I do English good ��

AlmightyCushion

Penny Tration wrote: »

Congratulations on your citizenship!

Have you experienced much racist abuse in your years in Dublin? I hope not, but i fear so.

He's a dub, deserves all the abuse he gets. :pac:

Terrontress

Do you consume much Nigerian media?

I'm not averse to listening to a bit of Nigerian radio because it is something different to what I am used to, but it is presented in English.

I Am Timi, AMA

Deleted User wrote: »

Congratulations on your citizenship.

What one thing about Dubs would you say you like most?

What one thing about Dubs would you say annoys/frustrates/freaks you out the most?

Which photo of Dublin that you've taken would you call your favourite?

Have you got into the habit we have here of saying "grand" the way people in other English-speaking places would say "nice", "fine" or "OK"?

An bhfuil aon Ghaeilge agat (Have you learned any Irish)?


Sorry, that's a few questions, so be selective if you have to.

Thank you!!!

I love the banter,
I'm freaked out by (excessive) alcohol consumption,
There are too many to choose from, take a look at my website - www.iamtimi.com or @tweetymonkey on Instagram!
I say ALL the colloquialisms,
I was exempt from Irish class. Tá.

Phew!

I Am Timi, AMA

Nib wrote: »

Are you usually this quiet?

Not quiet, just insanely busy ��

I Am Timi, AMA

darraghdoyle wrote: »

What are the things about Ireland it has taken you longest to understand?

If you have any political aspirations, what are three things you think you might "easily" change in Ireland?

What's the biggest fashion mistake that most Irish men make regularly?

I still don't understand why people say 'To-mah-toe' instead of 'to-may-to' or 'veetamin' instead of 'vitamin' like wtf lads?

Politics?
I would change the current tenures and make them longer with penalties for not implementing manifesto promises.
I would attempt to centralize policy making.
I would empower the youth as much as possible.

Fashion?
Omg flare jeans and brown car shoes. Give me death.

strandroad

Do you think religion is a big thing among the Nigerian community in Dublin? My two colleagues were disputing this over lunch recently but could not agree!

I Am Timi, AMA

La_Gordy wrote: »

Where do you recommend for Naija food in Dublin?

If you could tell me? I actually have no idea (I am too continental)

I Am Timi, AMA

scudzilla wrote: »

Do you like Cheese? What is your favourite type of cheese?

Is there much of a difference between the cheeses of Ireland and those in Nigeria, like, can you pick up a good cheddar in Nigeria, also what is the most popular cheese in Nigeria?

Lol... Nigerian cheese.
Lol... Lol.

Dairylea spreadable is the height of our cheese expertise. My girlfriend loves a bitta Brie but I'm fine with processed cheese please and thanks

I Am Timi, AMA

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

He's a dub, deserves all the abuse he gets. :pac:

Omg a Dub hater.

I Am Timi, AMA

Terrontress wrote: »

Do you consume much Nigerian media?

I'm not averse to listening to a bit of Nigerian radio because it is something different to what I am used to, but it is presented in English.

I consume little to no Nigerian media.

To be honest I never have as I've always found it very repetitive and to that extent quite boring. If not boring, then just crass or offensive.

Take Nollywood (the third largest film industry in the world), pretty much all the movies can be categorized into 3 or 4 genres and all the movies have the EXACT same plot. Seriously. Then there's the actors... Who can't act. Then there's the production quality... Actually there is none.

Do I sound negative?

strandroad

I Am Timi, AMA wrote: »

I consume little to no Nigerian media.

To be honest I never have as I've always found it very repetitive and to that extent quite boring. If not boring, then just crass or offensive.

Take Nollywood (the third largest film industry in the world), pretty much all the movies can be categorized into 3 or 4 genres and all the movies have the EXACT same plot. Seriously. Then there's the actors... Who can't act. Then there's the production quality... Actually there is none.

Do I sound negative?

Can you point out a sample trailer or two on YouTube? This could be fun!

I Am Timi, AMA

mhge wrote: »

Do you think religion is a big thing among the Nigerian community in Dublin? My two colleagues were disputing this over lunch recently but could not agree!

I am excluded from certain sections because I'm an atheist, which is ridiculous on their part. Does that answer your question!

Buona Fortuna

I Am Timi, AMA wrote: »

Omg a Dub hater.

We got jackets

Terrontress

I Am Timi, AMA wrote: »

I consume little to no Nigerian media.

To be honest I never have as I've always found it very repetitive and to that extent quite boring. If not boring, then just crass or offensive.

Take Nollywood (the third largest film industry in the world), pretty much all the movies can be categorized into 3 or 4 genres and all the movies have the EXACT same plot. Seriously. Then there's the actors... Who can't act. Then there's the production quality... Actually there is none.

Do I sound negative?

Not at all. But I enjoy the radio. I listen to Nigeriainfo from Abuja and Splash FM from Ibadan on tune in. They have had interesting guests like a phone in with their head of police traffic corps, and there was a load of interesting advice at the time of the ebola outbreak in Western Africa.

But I guess that is a bit off topic. I recommend it.

I Am Timi, AMA

mhge wrote: »

Can you point out a sample trailer or two on YouTube? This could be fun!

Exhibit A - http://youtu.be/VqEvoqtGOtQ

Todd Gack

Do you have a Dublin accent?

What do/did you make of "traditional" Irish food? (stew, bacon and cabbage and the likes, would be on the first plane out myself if that's what I though I'd be stuck with)

I Am Timi, AMA

Terrontress wrote: »

Not at all. But I enjoy the radio. I listen to Nigeriainfo from Abuja and Splash FM from Ibadan on tune in. They have had interesting guests like a phone in with their head of police traffic corps, and there was a load of interesting advice at the time of the ebola outbreak in Western Africa.

But I guess that is a bit off topic. I recommend it.

I might check it out but to be honest it isn't my cup of tea. When I listened to talk shows in the past, I found the views of many listeners to be archaic and their stances both aggressive and patronizing

strandroad

I Am Timi, AMA wrote: »

Exhibit A - http://youtu.be/VqEvoqtGOtQ

What did I just see!! Nollywood rules

I Am Timi, AMA

Todd Gack wrote: »

Do you have a Dublin accent?

What do/did you make of "traditional" Irish food? (stew, bacon and cabbage and the likes, would be on the first plane out myself if that's what I though I'd be stuck with)

I've lived in a lot of countries so I have this weird intra continental accent lol

We eat lots of Indian and Italian food at home (my girlfriend band I) but her dad makes a mean Sunday dinner.

Cabbage does not agree with me however...

I Am Timi, AMA

mhge wrote: »

What did I just see!! Nollywood rules

Hahaha pls stahp!

I Am Timi, AMA

La_Gordy wrote: »

Where do you recommend for Naija food in Dublin?

p.s. Great work on the Naija word there #A1

Darkglasses

I Am Timi, AMA wrote: »

Exhibit A - http://youtu.be/VqEvoqtGOtQ

mhge wrote: »

What did I just see!! Nollywood rules

It's imaginative

Hi Timi, would you ever think about taking a trip (holiday?) back to Nigeria? Would you recommend it to Irish people looking for a different kind of place to take a holiday?

Also, not a question, but your glasses are soo cool

BabysCoffee

Do you believe that it takes a village to raise a child?!

NapoleonInRags

Great photos and words on your website Timi.

My question is - the old lady with the shades - was she making that gesture at you - and if so, why?

I Am Timi, AMA

Darkglasses wrote: »

It's imaginative

Hi Timi, would you ever think about taking a trip (holiday?) back to Nigeria? Would you recommend it to Irish people looking for a different kind of place to take a holiday?

Also, not a question, but your glasses are soo cool

I go back maybe once a year or every other year at this stage... For the heat and the the nostalgia.

It's not really tourist friendly to be honest with you. Everything is far away and a little strange but it would definitely be an experience!

Not an answer, but thank you!

I Am Timi, AMA

BabysCoffee wrote: »

Do you believe that it takes a village to raise a child?!

I believe it takes a child to make a village

I Am Timi, AMA

NapoleonInRags wrote: »

Great photos and words on your website Timi.

My question is - the old lady with the shades - was she making that gesture at you - and if so, why?

Haha that's a picture of a sticker on a pole of someone taking a picture of her hahaha ��

Thanks for the kind words!

Realt Dearg Sec

I dunno if you read much, but are there any Nigerian writers in Dublin that you'd recommend, or know about? I know there was the playwright Bisi Adigun but I was wondering are there others writing about life here?

La_Gordy

I Am Timi, AMA wrote: »

If you could tell me? I actually have no idea (I am too continental)

The only wan I know that's still going is downstairs in Moore St. To ma palate, it's a decent jollof rice

Do you like 2Face?

Wichita Lineman

Hi Timi,

What area of work are you involved in and was it easy to get work?

Have you been to every county in Ireland yet?

Have you tried to play hurling yet?

If you could change just one thing about Ireland, what would it be?

helimachoptor

Why is everyone I met from Nigeria a prince?

H3llR4iser

Hey Timi,

I read the article you linked a few posts ago...interesting read, some of the points you make I find familiar as a foreigner myself, although I "only" had to travel from Italy.

One thing resounds with me particularly - the reference a lot of people make to Dublin as "sh1te city!"; I often find it coming from individuals originating from rural areas and/or small villages, who also go on to complain about crime, traffic, dirtiness and whatnot, when compared to other European cities of similar size, Dublin would most likely come off with the upper hand.

How do you find this kind of attitude? Does the whole rural/small town culture that permeates Ireland and the aversion to urbanization look like somewhat of a problem in your view?

breffni bogballer

Whenever you go home could you find out where my great uncle wilbert left the 25m lotto winnings i was promised!!!!!

tayto lover

What kind of food do you eat and have you a good source for getting the ingredients in Dublin?