It rained for a bit this morning in Abuja. Thankfully, when it does, there is still no traffic and water doesn't gather annoyingly on the roads. I was running a little late for work this morning, so I drove a little faster than I normally would, but no matter how fast I'm moving, I'm always very conscious of traffic rules. I don't overtake wrongly or put the lives of other drivers and passengers at stake. There was a driver who tried to overtake me wrongly, because he saw I was a female driver. (Why are Nigerian drivers so impatient?). But as an expert driver myself (if I may say so..started driving at sixteen), I maneuvered my car, making sure he didn't pass me. Normally I just let crazy, impatient drivers go with their wahala. But this morning, I was running late, so I didn't. After trying everything he possible could to scare me off and I didn't budge, he conceded defeat to prance on the next victim. I wasn't aware that a bus driver watched us with amusement and when we stopped at the next traffic light, he said,
'You be woman o, why you dey drive like tazi driva?' He was smiling. As if to say he was impressed. I wasn't sure if I liked the back handed compliment, but I just let it slide without responding.
Most times while driving, I've seen and heard other drivers insulting female drivers. Comments like 'E no sabi, na woman, no wonder,' or 'I must drive myself, you no go tell your husband to give you driver?' or 'Na so woman dey drive!' are not uncommon on the road. Are there really that few good female drivers, or are the male drivers just being sexist? It annoys me on end though, when I see a woman who has no business driving, being a nuisance on the streets. I feel it is women like that that make people generalize that women are bad drivers. If it is a man, no one says anything, they'd just write it off as one of those things, maybe he's having a bad day! *Hiss*
Here are some photos I got in an email a while ago..
'You be woman o, why you dey drive like tazi driva?' He was smiling. As if to say he was impressed. I wasn't sure if I liked the back handed compliment, but I just let it slide without responding.
Most times while driving, I've seen and heard other drivers insulting female drivers. Comments like 'E no sabi, na woman, no wonder,' or 'I must drive myself, you no go tell your husband to give you driver?' or 'Na so woman dey drive!' are not uncommon on the road. Are there really that few good female drivers, or are the male drivers just being sexist? It annoys me on end though, when I see a woman who has no business driving, being a nuisance on the streets. I feel it is women like that that make people generalize that women are bad drivers. If it is a man, no one says anything, they'd just write it off as one of those things, maybe he's having a bad day! *Hiss*
Here are some photos I got in an email a while ago..
I just couldn't help but add these pictures. I'm not making fun of my gender o. Hehe.I've got to go. Have a lovely weekend y'all. Muuaah
51 comments:
Ope o, I've reclaimed my position. As an 'ok' driver it pisses me off when at the slightest issue, every one on the road, feels they must help you drive or give you directions.
I think it's mostly a sexist thing, but there ARE those women that move on the road like they're not sure where they're going. But then they're drivers, like my friend Busola, who constantly feels her passengers with fear and dread. She can park like no other. She's my hero. Then she's been driving since she was 14.
P.s. Some of those pics are just IMPOSSIBLE. IMO. Funny. But impossible.
i think its a sexist comment! *hisses*....it annoys the living crap out of me...
some men are bad drivers as we have some bad female drivers,
only men that wears their Ego like a garment believe they are better drivers, i dont believe such rubbish neither do i allow it get to me,
i did advise u do same to dear,
enjoy ur day
I love to drive. Especially when there's a good stretch of even road, pure bliss.
I had dreamed of tearing up the Autoban, but I heard there was a major pile up a while back so it might be shut down?? The humanity.
Anyway, I'm not sure why men expect women to be bad at everything from driving to science. I suppose thats why it surprises them.
But hey, I'm surprised if some people say that you; its all about preconceived notions.
-Have a good day chick.
hey missy
how you dey?
I am a good driver. it's ok to toot my own horn :) I know that i am. I have been driving since i was 15+.
However, i confess to driving away from the gas pump, with the nozzle still stuck to my car. I did not go too far though,still in the gas station,before I noticed it. I was back in college(was more focused on the exams I had that day, so I was a bit absent minded at the pump.
I thank God my car did not catch fire.--probably the most ridiculous thing i had ever done..
Lollllllll...cos I just started driving last yr, I'm not a good qualifier of the fact that there are "great" women drivers (lol)...my bad!!!!!!
I drive with my heart in my mouth...still trying to get used to this...he he
Anyways, I do not believe in DISCRIMINATION! *Hssssss* Lolll...
women may not be the best drivers but they are careful rarely do you find a woman testing how fast a car can move . i am sure these ladies had mega man troubel that is the only explanation for those pictures hahaha
LMAO at those pictures.
i'm a good driver too, like you since my 16th i've been hitting the road.i'm a lil' rough on the edge(called a rough rider by some although i'm such a carefull one when mom is seated next to me),but not one accident despite my ability to multi task which i'm trying to curb...
i hate it when people hiss and say 'na woman' on the roads(all though this is hypocrtical as i do that sometimes) one thing the men forget is that as 'na woman', 'na man teach them'...lol
Some of the best drivers i know r women. There is usually no need for them to drive to impress anyone. Unlike most guys i know who r always trying to impress others, especially women, thus driving like mad pple and endangering their lives and that of others.
But i know some women drivers[ if we can call them that] have no business driving.
no wonder, na woman dey drive. lousy comment.
those pix sent me rocking on my ass.
and as i type, its raining hawk and chicken here in my part of Lagos
those pics are hilarious.
i guess our society expects that men should be the ones driving while the women should be seated at the back of the BMW while the driver takes her around.
most folks will easily allow their male children to drive at 14- 15 but they won't let their female children near the driver's seat!
Chickito you're right...men just like to be sexist. They feel driving is a man's territory but just like you I re-wrote the rule to one yeye Pakistani man who was trying to drive everyone off the road on a one lane. Can you imagine. The only way he could overtake was to face on-coming vehicles yet he was prepared to do so but I kept swerving right and left to make sure he didnt. By the time we got to static traffic he got frustrated, left his car and came to mine to give me some bashing. But he was shocked when I spat right in his face. As per say na London him no fit do anything. I must say I was shocked at my response too cos am usually very level headed and dont consider myself an aggressive driver. Anyway lets show them girl power.
I dont think is the women who cant drive properly that causes the generalizations..its just a mans world and they look for every chance to show women how weak they are and cant do what men can do..cos not all men can drive either
but my mum on the other hand, wheww..she drives like an agbero...she always get this comment on the road "na woman dey drive like this?" and my dad says "thats my baby" and I say "thats my mama, dont mess with her"..lol
oh and I am slowly taking after her..my road rage is getting ridiculous..lol
I think the men in Nigeria are just being sexist, but i know more women are scared when driving than guys. My sister is scared of any huge truck we see on the road. She hates driving. My mom starts screaming whenever i go past 60mph when i'm driving her. I generally drive close to 80 when i'm by myself. To the people who know me, i drive like a manaic, nothing scares me. I've never driven in nigeria where there are no rules, so i have no idea how i'll fare over there. Una dey try.
how did some of those accidents happen?
lmao...naija men just like to feel like lords of the manor....
those pics are hilarios....and na lie some na men do am..
The most annoying drivers are te danfo drivers!
Really i doubt of they attend any driving school at all.
Women are just careful drivers not necessarily bad drivers...its the motherly instinct in us.
princesa, I totally agree! Women are more careful, ask insurance companies.
When I first learned how to drive at 18, it was in Lagos, and with a small stick shift car at hand,I was a crazy tit for tat driver. Every time they hurl an insult at me, I always scream back: come and be my driver!
These days though, I just feminine guile : stick my head out, flash a pretty smile, and sweetly ask: Oga?
If they're going to be men about it, I'll be a woman about it too! It works every time ;)
I think its a sexist comment. Left to a lot of men, women should still remain in the kitchen.
i swear i read this post since friday and i thought i commented......I need Jesus!
I'm not a good driver o eventho ive been drivin since i was 16 too, actually i'd rather someone drive me around(not with ma car sha).
i always thought female drivers were d best....aren't they more careful?
lol
funny pics.
I dont think women shud be castigated for the way they drive. They are emotional beings and tend to not do things ruffly like guys would.
A woman drives like a woman and men shud live with that.
But u'll be surprised that there are superb woman drivers too. Like this chic that drives on a grandprix rally in france
Check out a woman's car and a man's. The difference is always clear!
lmao.......i love d pictures, interesting.
naijachickito, im not sure i want to encounter u on the road...hehe
dead at the pics!!!!...*rotflmao*...
...don't mind men o!!!...sometimes na vagina envy make am spew nonsense from that orifice on their face...
@Onydchic-yes, that could be a real pain. I don't entertain such in my car, if you want to drive, get down from ma ride!
Oh babes, the pictures are for real though. lol
@doll-Most def
@ms emotions-My point exactly. Some men can be so full of themselves. I try not to let it get to me, but it pisses me off when I see a man abuse a female driver, just because she's female!
@la reine-My sis, have a great day too. Take care of you.
@darkelcee- Just fine thank you...thank God. You?
@condi-Yes, it's ok, go ahead. lol.
You did what? Oh ma lawd! Thank God for little (or should I say great?) mercies!
@Jaycee-You need to build up your confidence. The more you drive, the better you become. Get your heart outta your mouth out back in your chest and drive the car! lol
@anonymous-Lol. I'm feeling you on the Man trouble thingy. Of course that can be the only reasonable explanation!
@FQ-one thing the men forget is that as 'na woman', 'na man teach them'.
No be lie. No mind them *hiss* lol
@ablckjamesbond-You know why I love you? 'Cause you always speak the truth without bias. Well said.
@Uzezi-Raining hawk and chicken? Gurl...
@bumight-It's the sexist thing. So sad and very annoying!
@ollay-So even though he was wrong, he still had the guts to come and talk crap? Imagine that? Did he expect you to tremble in your fine boots?
@zephi Fahrenheit-And my mum too always gets those kinds of comments. Women can be fabulous drivers. Men are just men. Many of them no even sabi!
@sting- Where is your blog. Looking for ya all over the place. I thought you had one?
Believe me, there's nothing like driving here in Nigeria. if you can drive here, you don't have a problem driving anywhere. It's like driving in a war zone. Topic for another day.
@anonymous gal-Hmmm.....beats me! lol
@Afrobabe-Lords of the manor? lol.I believe that too. Just painting us in a bad light.
@Princesa-Driving school ko, driving school ni! You are funny.
True.
@backtonaija-I like your style..no need to get all ruffled up.
@for the love of me- In their dreams. Such men better wake up to reality.
@DL-Uh huh. I don catch you.
Yes ma dear, we are definitely more careful.
@lolu kush (afronuts)-Chics like that always trip me. But like a lot of pips have already said, it's a man's world and many men would hardly want to give a woman credit when it is due.
@aphrodite-lol. A picture is worth a thousand words!
@naija sutra-No babes. Actually, you would. I'm a fair driver. I don't hurry like the majority of Nigerian drivers do. No body wants to slow down enough for the next person.
I drive 'jejely', but that shouldn't be mistaken for timidity, as some have come to learn the hard way! hehehe
@GNaija!-lol. lol.....lol...Ah, that was a good one.
wen i was a feminist (lol), i wouldn't take any remark dat demeans women. but these days i try 2 b realistic, & i have 2 say 'there r loads of crazy women drivers out there, men'. Parking? now, that's soemthing i can't help but wonder if it's a gender-dependent ability, cos women just don't get it
@free-flowing florida-lol. Not all women o. Women I know park well. People generally learning to drive have a parking problem, not just women.
Come on gurl!
Women Women Women, they should just leave the road for us men, he he i joke i joke
this take me back to when my mum first started driving, My god
when im in the car with her, she would always insist i stay in front with her
Fear of my life, she was a nervous wreck when it came to driving, she wouldt speed, shell park buses to pass, b4 she continued. My God.
But shes a bit better now
naija chickito, hw body?
Ha ha ha @ ur advice to me...muhaha.
Ok, I will. I promise!
Lmao@the car in the parking lot, was the person sleeping...
lol@tazi driver...u go girl jare!
yo...
'You be woman o, why you dey drive like tazi driva?' What a compliment.
I feel its an ego thing for men, but in general I think they have more confidence when they drive.
dont mind dem jare... sexist idiots!
Nice to see Nigerians bloggin in Nigeria...crap I'm way behind on times. I had absolutely no idea.
lol at some of those pics!
There are bad female drivers just as there are horrible male drivers. But it is a shame that the stereotype about women drivers is so prevalent. The other morning, this woman was driving while brushing her hair and applying her makeup. Na wa oh!
you must be kidding me.... i am sure the cars dropped from the sky.... how do you explain some of the mishaps???
nigerians r just sexists with all matters
tha pics r unreal!!!!!!
fenake drivers r the best....lol.anyway girl, am leaving blogsville....if u go on my blog, u'll understand...
hugs and kisses...
xxx
In Nigeria female drivers are an endangered species. They are subjected to the vitriol of just about every other type of motorist. You feel as though even a one-armed chimapanzee with gout would get away with less abuse than a woman driver. Even fellow women drivers have been known to utter phrases such as "obinrin ni". Where is the solidarity?
you are perpetuating a stereotype
SHAME ON YOU lol
lol i know exactly wat u mean about the useless comments lol, i am female so i think i drive better than guys...lmao..nic tho
am laughing so hard at those pictures mehn, they are hilarious.. esp the one that drove off with the gas pump..he he he he..
Abeg, left matters jare.
You guys are the best and worst drivers. Still wonder why there are no F1 female drivers yet :)
am beginin to think u maybe purnishin for somethin or why else do i ve to come here wit no words from u ?
hop u are aiight tho?
k thats it! enuf is enuf! Naija chickito aka baby sis, by d time i count 10, i wanna c an update!
1.....
2......
3......
4.......
5........
6.......
7.......
8.......
9........
If i come back n count 10 n i see no update, ill send 5 vibrators/dildo's to you.
lol@ DL...hahaha
No dildos up in here o! you want to put me in trouble?
I don’t think I agree that it is the women that can’t drive that make male drivers insult female drivers. Even if you perfect they will still talk. If you now make mistake nko, na big wahala. It boils down to male drivers not having respect for women. If a man driving roughly happens to have a female passenger by his side, they make her responsible for his actions by saying don’t mind him, na woman he carry or na that woman they confuse him.
I once did a short article on this and published it in Baobab for Women’s Human Right Newsletters, I think in 2004/5 (not sure which yr)
There are lots of nuisance male drivers out there. I just wonder why its women they want to make scapegoats out of. The answer is clear, they feel threatened by female drivers, they still don’t believe women have equal if not better intellectual capacity to function well in any task they put their minds to. Women are driving trailers broad o. Driving trains and all. See? They are simply envious
Keep up the good work.
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