Crazy Questions I’ve Been Asked About Me and My Country

As I start this blog, I’d like to first acknowledge that ignorance can be bliss. I believe that too much knowledge can take away the simple joys of life.  

But there is a certain type of ignorance that’s saddening and needs to be called out. 

Hear me out. 

After spending a month in France, a friend invited me to a local town festival. I was so excited — not just because it was a great opportunity to bond, but also because I was curious to explore the town.  

We made our way to the town center and joined a lively parade with acrobats, dressed in costumes adorned with fairy lights and walking on stilts. 

The march continued through the town until the main event area where the acrobats kept performing. We were then treated to roasted chestnuts, the region’s specialty.

As we enjoyed the chestnuts served with a glass of wine, my friend and I kept the conversation going. 

I told them a few things about my country, but some of the questions I got were really baffling. For example; 

“So, Abby, how did you come to France? Did you, like take a plane?” 

Uhm, no, not really. I walked the entire month of September, crossed the desert, swam through the raging ocean, fought off wild animals, and finally snuck into France through an illegal route from Italy. 

I mean, seriously, how else would I have come? If the situation were reversed, I’m pretty sure I would’ve asked something more reasonable, like, “How long was your flight to France?” That seems like a sensible place to start. 

As if that wasn’t enough, another question followed: “So, in Kenya, do you guys eat exotic fruits?” 

My mind froze for what felt like an eternity.  

Oh yeah, that’s our thing. We hunt for them in the forest, climbing tall trees while fighting off giant snakes. Sometimes, we gather their wild roots and leaves too. Really yummy! 

Honestly, what even are exotic fruits? And who thinks of a question like that to keep a conversation going?

It’s already frustrating that the media has skewed how Africa is portrayed. Hearing these stereotypical views in person is even more exhausting and disheartening than it is exciting to debunk.

The truth is, none of us can know everything about different countries, and that’s perfectly fine unless you’ve travelled to or studied them all. 

But surely, we can stop asking the same outdated questions our forefathers faced. 

It’s strange when people start telling me about their trips to Benin, Morocco, and Senegal after I mention I’m from Kenya. Am I supposed to know the people or towns from those places? Seriously, what am I to do with that information? 

I don’t even know the capital of Benin, and many North Africans don’t even consider themselves African. How exactly am I supposed to relate to your vacation stories? 

It’s like if you told me you’re from the UK, and I responded with, “Oh, I was in Cyprus a few years ago.” 

If you don’t gerrit, forger abour it. 

However, there are some things that are tolerable, which I call blissful ignorance. For instance, if you mention having visited Tanzania or Rwanda. That’s a great starting point coz at least my country is relatively close to them and I can map something out of it. 

I can also handle it when you ask if we speak “Kenyan.” Just for the record, there’s no such thing as a “Kenyan language,” but again, that’s blissful ignorance. 

However, when the questions shift to, “Do you do this or that in Africa?” it becomes a bit concerning. I’ve only been to two countries in Africa—Kenya and Uganda. How am I supposed to know what happens across the entire continent, especially in northern Africa?

I get that we’re trying to have a chit-chat, but please, it’s best to avoid conversation starters that lead to awkward endings. 

A much better approach would be to ask someone, “Where in your country or which region of the continent do you come from?” or “What language do you speak?” or “What’s your country’s typical dish?”  

Personally, I’d be more than happy to share, and I’d love to learn about your country in return. 

Just please, don’t start by asking if we eat exotic fruits or walk alongside wild animals.  

Let’s aim for intelligent curiosity. One that’s thoughtful, not biased or lazily researched.