I got fired in UK for telling my colleague her stomach was big and offering her slimming tea – Nigerian Lady

I got fired in UK for telling my colleague her stomach was big and offering her slimming tea – Nigerian Lady.

A Nigerian lady working in the United Kingdom has taken to social media to share a costly lesson she learned about cultural differences after being fired from her job just two months after starting.

The woman, who had previously failed five caregiver interviews before finally securing a position, revealed that her dismissal was a result of a well-intentioned but deeply inappropriate comment made to a colleague. She casually told her coworker that her stomach was “big” and offered to give her a popular Nigerian slimming tea known as Aju Mbaise to help her lose weight.

The comment, which might be brushed off or even taken as a sign of concern in some social contexts in Nigeria, was received very differently in the UK workplace. The colleague formally reported her, stating that the unsolicited remark on her body made her feel depressed, caused her to lose confidence, and made her no longer feel secure at work.

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“The only me was accused for causing all these …!” the lady wrote, expressing her initial shock at the severe repercussions of her casual advice.

This incident shows a cultural clash many immigrants face when moving to Western countries like the UK, US, and Canada. While comments about weight, age, or appearance can be common and even socially acceptable in Nigeria, they are strictly considered harassment and a violation of professional conduct in Western workplaces. Such comments can create a hostile environment and are protected against under equality and employment laws.

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The lady stated that she learned her lesson “the hard way.” She vowed never to give out unsolicited advice again. Her new approach? Unconditional positivity. She humorously pledged that even “3 weeks later I got another job if your stomach is as big as a GeePee [water] tank, I will always say to you: Awuunnn… you look so beautiful.. I love your beautiful body. Ride on girl.. enjoy your life girl.. life is once.”

Fortunately, her story has a silver lining. She managed to secure a new job just three weeks after her dismissal, hopefully carrying her newfound cultural awareness with her.

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Her story has sparked conversations online, with many other immigrants sharing similar experiences of losing jobs or facing disciplinary action for actions perceived as normal in their home countries but unacceptable abroad. It serves as a caution to immigrants: understanding and adapting to the cultural and professional norms of your host country is not just about assimilation—it’s essential for professional survival.

I got fired in UK for telling my colleague her stomach was big and offering her slimming tea – Nigerian Lady.