A simple tweet turned into a full-blown culture conversation after a user online asked a familiar question:
“Gift ideas for a potential mother-in-law you are meeting for the first time. Asking for a friend.”
It didn’t take long before the replies started pouring in, with opinions split across generational lines, personal experience, and cultural expectations.
One user advised strongly against bringing any gift on a first visit:
“They just want to see you and get to know you!”
Another shared a different view:
“I don’t believe in visiting people empty-handed. You can go with fruit or bread.”
That suggestion sparked even more reactions:
“Bread bawo? If you start with gifts, they may expect it every time. And if you stop, it becomes a problem.”
“It’s better to go without gifts on the first visit. You can always get gifts later.”
But not everyone agreed. Some felt showing up empty-handed could send the wrong message:
“This is risky o. But fruit is okay, in my opinion.”
At the heart of the debate is a tension many young Nigerians understand too well—how do you strike a balance between tradition, sincerity, and sustainability?
While some see gifts as a way to make a strong first impression, others argue it’s better to keep things simple and real, especially at the beginning.
One final voice summarized it best:
“Don’t start what you can’t sustain. Let the relationship be built on real connection, not performance.”
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