10/02/2025
From Privacy to Openness: Embracing a New Cultural Perspective
As I stepped off the plane in Canada, my swollen belly announcing my pregnancy to the world, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. Leaving behind the familiar rhythms of Nigeria, I was about to embark on a new journey in a foreign land. But nothing could have prepared me for the cultural shock that awaited me.
It started innocently enough. I'd be browsing through a mall, pushing my cart and lost in thought, when a stranger would approach me with a warm smile. "Hello, I see you have a little one on the way! When's your due date?" they'd ask, their eyes sparkling with genuine interest.
I was taken aback. In Nigeria, such personal questions would never be posed by a stranger. In fact, we're taught from a young age that such information is sacred, shared only with our innermost circle – our husbands, mothers, and closest relatives. To ask or share such details with outsiders would be considered impolite, even intrusive.
As a result, I found myself struggling to respond to these queries. I'd stutter, smile awkwardly, and try to politely deflect the question. But the Canadians just wouldn't let up! They'd press for more information, asking about the baby's name, gender, and even my birth plan.
One particularly memorable encounter still makes me chuckle. A friendly stranger asked me about my baby's name, and I recall thinking, "How am I supposed to tell you when the baby is still in my belly?" I laughed nervously, trying to explain that we hadn't decided on a name yet.
But as time passed, I began to adjust to this new cultural norm. I realized that Canadians were simply expressing their genuine interest and kindness. They weren't trying to pry or intrude; they just wanted to connect and celebrate the upcoming arrival of my baby.
And so, I started to relax, to open up and share my experiences with others. I even found myself asking fellow pregnant women about their due dates, babies' names, and birth plans. It was liberating, really – to let go of my cultural inhibitions and embrace this new, more open way of communicating.
Now, as I navigate this new chapter in Canada, I'm grateful for the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to connect with others in ways I never thought possible. And who knows? Maybe one day, I'll be the one approaching a pregnant stranger with a warm smile, asking, "When's your due date?"
