A Nigerian woman, known on TikTok as @user6119812239816, recently shared a significant cultural misunderstanding. This incident, she explained, ultimately led to her job loss in the United Kingdom.
She recounted an event where a female colleague returned from leave. The woman offered what she intended as a friendly compliment. This gesture is common in Nigerian culture. She told her colleague she looked good, noting she had “added some weight.”
Colleague’s Upset Reaction
This comment, meant as an amicable observation in her home country, deeply distressed the colleague. The colleague promptly reported the interaction to management. Management viewed the comment as an act of body-shaming.
Employer Intervention and Dismissal
A meeting followed, where the woman faced strong criticism for “calling someone fat.” Her explanations that the comment was positive were disregarded. She was sent home pending an employment decision.
She never returned to work, believing her termination was imminent. The woman then detailed her perspective on the cultural clash.
The woman expressed her distress regarding the incident. She explained, “I recounted my job loss stemming from a workplace compliment.” She described telling a returning colleague, “Oh, she’s looking good… she has added some weight.” This remark, she clarified, was perceived as body-shaming. The colleague reportedly cried and reported the incident to management. A formal meeting ensued. She faced questions about “calling someone fat.” She felt devastated and angry. “In my country, this is a simple compliment,” she argued. She explained that “looking good” and “adding some weight” were positive remarks. However, her employers did not accept her cultural explanation. She was then sent home. The woman concluded that her termination was certain. She emphasized the clear “cultural differences” she encountered.
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