Tea Or Liquor: What’s Best For A Lagos Weekend?

Who still drinks tea in this time? It will come as a huge surprise that tea companies haven’t shot down in Nigeria just yet. Meaning, people do consume tea after all. Question is; when do they really drink tea the most: working days or weekends? Thanks to my dear colleague Joey Akan who details on the Chronicles of a Lagos Aje-butta, we would understand the life of a Lagosian just better and know they really don’t have time for tea. Instead alcohol better suits the end of a week’s party.


 From Monday to Friday, a typical worker in Lagos prefers tea at the office; in fact some go for coffee just to keep them alert and smart all through the day. Guests are also asked, “do you care for some tea?” To be candid, tea gives energy to some and keeps others less hungry till break. Wonder why people consume this same tea at their offices more than at their homes?

 The very interesting traffic situation in Lagos alone requires most workers to be awake by 4:00am – 5:00am and at that time; no one has time for tea! All what’s on the mind is how to beat the crazy traffic to be early at work (this is for the bulk of people who live on the Mainland and work on the Island). It’s a really stressful situation but as they say, “work must go on” and yes, it does. So when they finally get to work, tea becomes their very best friend. But does this delightful relationship lasts into the weekend too?

“Hell no!” some will scream. “I drink tea for Monday come drink tea again for Friday?” some might add. This means there’s no tea on Friday nights. Alcohol takes over big time. Many can’t wait for Friday just to hang out with friends and have some ‘real’ fun. The famous bars, lounges and local joints are filled to the ‘every’ chair. Karaoke bars are crowded and the bar tenders don’t have a second to sit down. It’s a crazy atmosphere in deed and Lagosians love it to the fullest.

Tea? No please! Champagne, Hennessey, Jack Daniels, Gulder, Star beer, Stout, Smirnoff Ice etc are gulped down the same throats which consumed tea just that Friday morning. In addition to that liquor consumption is soya, pepper soup and other traditional food. People get satisfied and even so much as to get high…very high! After all, there’s no work the next day so the alcohol could continue.

 That becomes a typical Friday night in Lagos without tea of course. As to whether tea will be consumed the next day- Saturday and Sunday – is questionable but believe me or not, A Lagos weekend is filled with beer, other liquor than tea.