A Bad Case of Nigeritis

While on a trip to Barbados, for a friend's wedding, my wife and I were eating breakfast at our hotel (The Savannah Hotel). Having just finished breakfast we were sitting back and enjoying the warm ocean breeze and the gorgeous ocean view. We were approached by one of the women working in the outdoor dining room who had come over to take our plates away. We were totally shocked when she said, with her Bajan accent,

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you two have a bad case of nigeritis".

Now let me backtrack a bit. I was raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and the 'N' word was just not used in public! If it was, it was frowned on! So imagine our surprise when our hostess said what she did. Not sure I heard what I heard I asked,

"Excuse me, what did you say?"

to which she repeated herself a bit louder,

"You two look like you have a bad case of nigeritis".

I paused, hesitated some more and said with a puzzled look,

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

To which she explained the definition of nigeritis (a sleepy feeling after a meal; contented; satisfied; sweet).

Having spent forty years associating the 'N' word with negative connotations we were jaw dropping shocked, but after the explanation, we had to agree with the diagnosis; we really did have a bad case of nigeritis.

Later, after the wedding, I repeated this story for my friend from Barbados. He laughed and then furthered our education by telling us that in Barbados you can buy "Niger Peppers" -- a sweet pepper.

You're never too old to expand your lexicon and challenge those preconceived ideas!