Facts About Residents of Shared Residential Buildings
- Some shared residential buildings, colloquially known as “Face Me I slap you” houses, are notorious for frequent conflicts and fights among residents. Engaging in fights seems unavoidable, as not fighting can make you a target.
- One advantage of living in such buildings is that it’s unlikely to go hungry, provided you know your way around. Simply go to the kitchen located at the backyard and inquire about the cooking. Engaging in small talk about other neighbors adds to the communal atmosphere.
- There is always an individual who claims to have lived in the building even before it was constructed. These long-time residents take pride in their tenure and possess extensive knowledge about everyone’s background, including birth dates. They are often regarded as ancestral tenants.
- It is common to find a group of girls residing together in these buildings. They tend to be home during the day but rarely seen at night. Mothers caution their children not to enter their room for unknown reasons.
- A respected figure in the community is the older woman who acts as a mediator during conflicts. Known as the “Mama” of the house, she spends her time outside, closely observing the street and intervening when necessary. In many cases, she is also the landlady and is affectionately addressed with nicknames.
- There is always an individual among the residents who aspires to be the landlord but is disliked by everyone. This person assumes a pseudo-authoritative role, frequently instructing others on matters such as waste disposal and electricity bill payments. However, they are merely tenants and not legally involved in property management.
- A consistent presence in such buildings is the tenant who regularly fails to pay bills on time. Often referred to as a debtor, this individual pays their January bills as late as April and habitually comes up with excuses such as a recent family bereavement, which they also used in previous years.
- Among the residents, there is usually someone who displays an extravagant lifestyle compared to others. This wealthy tenant may owe some rent but possesses multiple air conditioners, deep freezers, flatscreen TVs, and generators that far surpass the means of their landlord.
- A single, tidy woman in the age range of 35 to 40 can often be found in these buildings. She speaks fluent English and prefers to keep to herself, avoiding socializing with other women. Children respectfully address her as “Aunty,” but crossing her the wrong way reveals her fiery temperament.
- Every shared residential building has its share of individuals who readily engage in fights, aptly known as “fight merchants.”
- Unfortunately, there are instances where some women use rubber buckets as makeshift toilets during the night and dispose of the waste outside in the morning.
