Legitimate Entitlements
Sometime last year, before I concluded my diploma in French program, there was a security guard who always sat at the gate whenever I went out of the school’s compound.
The school had a hostel facility, so I was lodged on the premises. I only went out for church and on trips to the market, salon or the bank.
The school is quite big, so they have a handful of security guards that take shifts.
I’m not sure what kind of coincidence it is, but whenever I passed through the gate, this man was always there.
I bet you already know what I’m about to say…
He would always ask me for money.
I honestly don’t blame him for wanting to have some extra change outside his salary.
Truthfully, the economic system in Nigeria is not quite favorable to the class of citizens that’s slightly below average. Even middle-class citizens are complaining about the rising inflation in the country, talk more of the individuals below them in ranking.
It’s funny because in the first five months of my studentship there, whenever I passed through the gate, he never asked me for anything.
I would greet him, and he would respond, depending on his mood.
However, one day changed everything.
After it seemed like I had fully adjusted into the environment of the school, I decided to become more intentional and invested in my personal growth by actively making friends, joining communities, and attending programs that would enhance me, all around.
One of those programs I attended was supposed to be a corporate lunch. So I dressed very nicely, not too elaborate, lol.
A pair of striped black and white office pants, with a black blouse. I had recently bought a very elegant hair, so I wore that. I also smelled very nice.
As I was about to walk out of the gate, the man smiled at me and said,
“Mademoiselle, where are you going to?”
“I’m going for a program sir”
“At where?”
I mentioned the venue and the organizers of the event. Apparently, he knew them.
“This one you’re looking fine, won’t you drop anything for me?”
I would have, but I didn’t have cash on me. I intended to withdraw some money outside.
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So I explained things to him, that I genuinely didn’t have any change on me at the moment.
He sized me from head to toe and didn’t believe me. But he couldn’t beat me or stop me from leaving, so he just reacted with a frown.
I kept seeing him every single time from that day, and he never relented in asking me for money.
It’s funny because one time I gave one of those guards money, I think 100 or 200 naira thereabout. I had just returned from the market, and that was the only change I had on me.
When he asked me what I got him from the market, I really wanted to give him something, so I just gave him the change in my hand.
And guess what?
He looked at the money like it was dog poo😂.
Back to the initial security guard.
It’s funny, but for real, whenever he stopped me, it was either I didn’t have change with me, or the money I had wasn’t really enough for me, so I was on a strict budget.
One evening, I went out to see a family friend who was visiting the neighborhood.
He stopped and asked me where I was going. I explained, and before leaving he asked me to get him bread from a particular store while coming back.
Excuse me sir, bread?
It made me wonder whether he thought I was going to meet a sugar daddy somewhere.
After countless askings and no receiving, he stopped responding to my greetings. Whenever he saw me, he would frown his face so much that he would probably get a headache from them.
I feel bad for him though…
Not because later on, I decided against gifting him some money when I had enough because of his pettiness ( I gave other people who I thought would appreciate me and the gifts).
I feel bad for him because of the several opportunities that he has dismissed because of his illegitimate entitlement.
Anyway, I hope he begins to see life differently.
Have you ever had a similar experience?
Share with me!
A quick description of my title.
It’s “Legitimate Entitlements" not “Illegitimate Entitlements” because culprits with these issues don’t know they are wrong for being demanding.
Hence the photo of someone who has been blinded by a sheet (refer to photo at the top).
