“Do I Look Like I Work Here?” — Lagos Woman Shares Hilarious Encounter After Being Mistaken for Pepper Soup Seller

A Lagos woman has set social media buzzing after recounting a hilarious yet slightly awkward encounter that happened while she was simply out to buy pepper soup. The story, shared by Hajia Oblee on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked conversations about assumptions, attitude, and the everyday drama that comes with living in Nigeria’s most vibrant city. Her post, short but deeply relatable, painted a vivid picture of how quickly harmless moments can turn into memorable exchanges in Lagos.

According to her, she had stepped out to get pepper soup, dressed in an outfit she felt was stylish, put-together, and certainly not the kind one would associate with a food vendor or worker. But Lagos being Lagos, where anything can happen in the blink of an eye, someone approached her and threw a question she never saw coming. The person, without hesitation, looked her straight in the face and asked, “Do you work here?”

In shock, she fired back the only response that made sense to her in that moment: “Do I look like I work here?” Her reply, sharp and immediate, carried the kind of energy many Lagos residents have mastered — a mix of sarcasm, confidence, and a refusal to let anyone reduce or misplace them. But the story didn’t end there. The stranger, completely unfazed and perhaps unaware of the implication, said something even more unexpected: “You might be the owner.”

Her post quickly spread across the platform, gaining reactions from Lagosians who saw humor, audacity, and a bit of truth in the entire interaction. Many users argued that such mix-ups are normal in a city where people from all walks of life mingle freely, whether at a bus stop, market, or high-end restaurant. Others insisted that Lagos people sometimes speak without thinking, leading to moments that could be interpreted as rude, insulting, or simply comedic depending on who’s involved.

For some, the encounter also highlighted the constant assumptions people make about others based solely on appearance. In Lagos especially, outfits, accessories, and even body language often become unspoken indicators of class, job type, or social status. A person wearing something simple could be mistaken for a worker, while someone dressed expensively might be assumed to be the boss or the owner. Many commenters pointed out that the stranger’s follow-up — suggesting she might be the owner — was possibly meant as a compliment, even if it came wrapped in an awkward delivery.

What truly stirred reactions, however, was Hajia Oblee’s caption: “Lagos babes are rude.” To some, it was a self-aware joke about how Lagos women are perceived — quick-witted, direct, and never caught off guard. To others, it was a playful acknowledgment that Lagos women don’t let anyone talk to them anyhow, especially in public. In a city known for its fast pace, loud energy, and high survival instincts, being sharp-tongued is often viewed not as rudeness but as a form of self-defense.

The viral nature of her story also says something about the culture of social media in Nigeria, where everyday moments are turned into full conversations, debates, and memes. Within hours, people were sharing their own experiences of being mistaken for workers at supermarkets, restaurants, boutiques, and even private events. One user said she was wearing heels and holding an expensive bag when someone asked her if she could help pack food at a wedding. Another recalled being asked for directions in a mall so confidently that she began to question whether she actually looked like a staff member.

But beyond the laughs and banter, the exchange subtly touches on the theme of identity and perception — how people view us versus how we see ourselves. It’s a reminder that no matter how we look or what we wear, others will always create their own narratives. And in many cases, those narratives have little to do with reality. What we interpret as disrespect could be someone simply not paying attention, while what we think is a compliment could be someone stumbling through their words.

Still, the Lagos flavor cannot be ignored. The city has a rhythm that shapes behavior, language, and interactions. Asking a random person if they work somewhere — even when they clearly don’t look the part — isn’t unusual. Lagosians are known for blurting things out, sometimes without filters, sometimes without context, and often without concern for how it might sound. It’s part of what makes the city chaotic, amusing, and unforgettable.

Many people responding to the post also defended the stranger, insisting that maybe the outfit she wore looked neat enough to belong to a supervisor, manager, or owner of the pepper soup joint. After all, in Lagos, many business owners dress casually when overseeing their establishments. Someone wearing a simple gown, scarf, wrapper, or even slippers could still be the CEO of the entire premises.

Others argued, jokingly, that the stranger simply wanted to talk to her and didn’t know how to start a conversation. Using the “Do you work here?” line might have been their awkward attempt at small talk, which unfortunately landed wrong. Lagos has its fair share of bold and flirtatious moments, so this theory — as funny as it sounds — didn’t seem too far-fetched to some commenters.

The reactions also reveal a truth about the city’s social fabric: Lagos is a place where people mind their business, yet somehow, they also don’t. They won’t ask you about your life, but they will assume it. They won’t know you personally, but they’ll have opinions about you immediately. It’s a city where a simple outing for pepper soup can turn into a viral story with thousands of people laughing, debating, and sharing experiences.

For Hajia Oblee, the experience was both annoying and amusing enough to share publicly. Her quick clap-back captured the spirit of many Lagos women who refuse to let any moment catch them powerless. Whether you call it rudeness, confidence, or sharpness, it reflects the attitude that keeps them surviving and thriving in one of the most intense cities in the world.

Her story, now circulating widely, has become another reminder that Lagos life is anything but boring. Every day comes with a fresh episode, a new encounter, and a moment worth telling. And as long as Lagosians keep talking — and tweeting — these moments will continue to shape the colorful, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining narrative of the city.

In the end, the encounter wasn’t just about pepper soup or mistaken identity. It was about the tiny, unexpected interactions that give Lagos its personality — a place where even a casual question can spark a viral joke, and where a simple outing can turn into a story that captures the attention of thousands.