The Funny Side of Being a British-Nigerian Couple
When you marry someone from another culture, you expect a few differences. What you don’t expect is just how funny those differences can be!
Being a British-Nigerian couple means there’s rarely a dull moment between us, whether we’re debating the correct name of something, or negotiating what “I’m on my way” actually means.
Here are some of our favourite moments from life in our mixed-culture marriage.
1. The Great “Tea” Debate
To me, tea is a sacred British ritual. Kettle on, biscuits ready, peace restored!
To my husband, “tea” is a hot chocolate and bread!
Hot chocolate to me is something to drink before bed, or a treat! But here he was, offering me tea, and presenting me with a hot chocolate! (Though I wasn’t complaining at being given hot chocolate! lol).
2. “I’m on My Way” (But Are You Really?)
If I say “I’m on my way,” I mean I’m literally leaving the house.
If he says “I’m on my way,” it could mean:
He’s still getting dressed.
He’s just remembered he needs to do something first.
He’s thinking about leaving soon.
I’ve learned to give him an extra 5/10 minutes, and he’s learned to try and stick to time!
3. Spice!
So I had never really eaten spice before meeting Dammy, but I had to try his food when I went to Ivory Coast. My soul left my body! lol
He now tells me if a particular food is too spicy, and he tones down the spice if he’s cooking for both me and him. I’m still slowly building up my spice tolerance, which is a lot better than when we first met!
He on the other hand, literally can’t eat anything without spice! If he does he feels like he needs to vomit.
4. Greeting All Wrong
In British culture, a polite “Hi” or “You alright?” is fine, even to family members and friends.
In his family, you best be greeting with a Good morning, or Good evening, add on sir or ma for good measure too!
I remember speaking to Dammy’s mum on the phone and for whatever reason I got really nervous and blurted out “Hiya”, oh god I was mortified! She didn’t say anything but when we came off the phone Dammy said what is Hiya? lol we both laughed about it, but I felt like so embarrassed!
5. One of us thinks 18°C is “perfect.” The other thinks it’s the Arctic.
I’ll be opening the windows saying “we need fresh air!” while he’s happily needing blankets, and wanting to blast the heating!
Our thermostat battles are legendary. He turns it on, I get up to “get something” and turn it off on my way back to the living room!
He’s forever shouting for someone to blast the heating cos he can’t go to the bathroom if it’s cold!
Marriage tip: Buy your partner a heated blanket if they’ve come from a warm country!
6. The Battle of Accents
He loves teasing me for how I say “water”, “towel” and so many words!
I tease him for how he says “sausage”, “fuel”, the list is endless!
Some words just don’t sound right until both accents have had their turn.
Our house is a language mash-up, part British, part Nigerian, but with so much laughter.
7. “Can You Turn That Down?”
British background noise = soft.
Nigerian background noise = vibrant.
Music, tv, phone calls, laughter, everything happens at full volume!
And I’m always like can you turn it down just a little.
Laughter Is Our Love Language
The truth is, these funny little moments are what make our relationship special. Every laugh reminds us that we’re blending two worlds, and creating one unique story together.
Being a British-Nigerian couple means learning to laugh through misunderstandings, celebrate our differences, and choose joy over frustration.
Because in the end, love really does sound better with a little bit of spice and a lot of laughter.
Over to You!
Are you in an intercultural or interracial relationship? What’s the funniest “culture clash” moment you’ve had?
Share your stories in the comments, we’d love to laugh (and learn) together!
