Source
r/Nigeria•
-PiPo-

Serious question - why are Nigerians so loud when having a conversation?

Ask Naija

I was sitting in the canteen in college today (Ireland) and there was a group of Nigerians screaming, shouting and making a huge racket. One guy took his shirt off and continued to scream and shout in his vest. As far as I could see they weren't fighting, they weren't laughing or having fun either, just shouting at eachother having a discussion about something. At one stage a black girl sitting nearby told them to be quiet but it didn't work, and I could tell that the canteen staff members were quite annoyed with them but also probably didn't want to open up a can of worms by telling the only black group in the canteen to be quiet.

Now the canteen is quite large, and there were hundreds of people having lunch and chatting, often turning around to look at who was shouting. This group of only 10 guys drowned out the conversation of literally hundreds of people, and hundreds of young students can be quite loud too. I was actually kind of amazed at how loud they were. Eventually I had to move to the opposite end of the canteen as I was trying to go over some notes while inhaling some lunch before class.

Anyway, it's not the first time I've come across super loud Nigerians in a relaxed setting, but this was the loudest I've ever heard them, so had to come to the internet to finally ask what it's all about. Basically I have two questions:

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  1. Why do they need to shout?
  2. Do they realize that it's rude?

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I heard (can't remember from who) that apparently it's rude to talk quietly in Nigeria, in case people think you're talking about them, so you have to make your conversations loud so others can be sure you're not talking about them. Is that bullshit?

Posted Apr 8, 2019, 11:28 PM UTC

011
oxbloog•

Say that again. And other nationalities are not? Ever being in a train in Milan?

9
-PiPo-OP•

For sure I agree with you. Italians, Spanish and Americans are super loud too. Nigeria is #1 though!

1
umnyo•

Because it's a way Nigerians, like other groups, show their joy. They don't think its rude because they probably don't think their loud

6
supressinfire•

Groups are loud sometimes man, rest.

4
blafricanadian•

Different cultures. Nigerian culture isn't really big on being conservative in public spaces. Depending on the person, they will probably adjust to be more accommodating. Nigerian youth are generally very loud if they are outgoing.

4
KinglyFresh•

Nigerians are loud cos Noise pollution is not a thing to them. Some will be on a phone call and be screaming like the person they're talking to is 10 miles away.

3
BobelleAjebota•

Yes that is bullshit

2
topemu•

I didn't read your whole post but I can answer the basic question.
I was born in Nigeria grew up in the USA. We have very wide vocal range. I think it's genetic. Think about deep African voices like any contemporary movie African. Mufasa for example. Our voices can go super low. Or super high.

My friends are always telling me that I'm talking too loud and I don't even notice.

Also Nigeria has no electricity so everywhere there are thousands of generators making noise. So Nigerians grow up having to yell to talk over the generators.

1†
skiborobo•

Lol- guy Abeg shift with that generator talk.

14
topemu•

Haha it's true tho

0
FunnyKozaru•

It's not just voices. I work in Lagos and every time I sit down to a meal in a nice restaurant in a nice hotel several jackasses will be at their table or the bar listening to a YouTube video at full volume with no headphones. Sometimes it will be a couple having a meal together each watching and listening to something completely different at full volume. Basically, being considerate of others around you is not expected here, or perhaps the standard for such consideration is much lower. Unless taught otherwise people will do the same abroad.

As a caveat, I'm American and I'm fully aware that my fellow countrymen bring their bad behavior abroad as well.

1