Different things can make an individual act out of character. Someone who has been testing your patience can one day make you act out of character, even a quiet and calm person can be pushed to that point. Personally, I hate trouble to the core. I can be quiet for Africa if I choose to be.
I have hate it when people try to be tough on others because they feel they can manipulate them with their words. Acting out of character is something I have done on several occasions, and I must say, I enjoy seeing myself in that state at least once in a while. I must admit, I love doing that with strangers.
I'm a lover of pork, and there is this stand where we usually buy the meat whenever we are returning from work. The meat is very rare, making it hard to see these sellers all the time. Among the two sellers, one conducts his business fairly, employing an assistant due to the crowd, while the other prefers being a jack of all trades.
My friend had occasionally complained about how she hates buying from him because he often lied about giving her the correct change.
On several occasions, I doubted her because I never experienced that as I stopped buying very often since the quantity wasn't worth the amount it was sold. I encouraged her to confront him, suggesting that acting out of character might scare him or make him realize he had gone too far, but she wasn't ready to create a scene.
"You don't have to stoop to his level when you are on your right. Try to let him know what he's doing is dishonest," I tried to persuade her, but she remained fearful of confrontation.
That particular day, we walked in a group since it was Friday, and we had so much to do. When we got to the stand, it was the same man who was there. My friend was the only one with money to buy the meat, Even though I love pork, I wasn't just ready to waste my money, I'm among those who prefer to buy something that worth the money not minding how expensive.
She ate the amount she wanted and gave the young man 500 naira, expecting a balance of 100 naira. He ignored and continued selling to others. Several times, she asked for her change, but he kept ignoring her. I couldn't bear his nonchalant attitude, and I had to intervene.
"Oga, where's the change?" I asked, with a tone slightly louder than usual.
"What change? You no eat?" The seriousness on his face was evidence he had bad intentions.
"Does my mouth look like that of a person who has eaten pork?" You know when you actually want to eat, but you haven't, and you're accused of already eating.
After my response, the man insisted my friend had exhausted her money. At that point, I was furious, recalling what she had told me something similar about the man's behavior.
I raised my voice and refused to let him intimidate us like he had been doing with her. I acted out of character, deviating from my usual responsible adult demeanor to a "no-nonsense" lifestyle. I'm sure the man interpreted me as a troublesome person.
After realizing I wouldn't back down, he agreed to give my friend her balance, but then suggested she buy another piece of meat with it. I refused, as that was her transport fare, and I didn't want her to be intimidated into buying more than she wamted and having to walk home.
In the end, he gave us the balance, and as we were about to leave, he remarked, "This one is a good person, this one is a troublemaker." I smiled in response.
"You are a bad person,because you know the truth but chose to act otherwise," I retorted.
In our country, acting out of character can help one achieve many things, especially when it involves standing up for oneself, it doesn't have to lead to conflict in the end. It's essential to be vocal and assertive when necessary, or else people will keep taking advantage of you. I know that anyone who knows me would be surprised to see me behaving that way, but I know that being calm all the time can make you lose what rightfully belongs to you.