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This is a discussion topic for the June 2024 Book of the Month, "Quest: Finding Freddie: Reflections from the Other Side" by Thomas Richard Spradlin

Imagine yourself in Spradlin's shoes. What cultural adjustments would you have found most difficult?

I think I would have struggled keeping up with which division of the country was fighting or had found in the past. Knowing who did not like or getting along with whom was something Richard used to his advantage. He also noted that some of those divisions were coming down, when people worked together and realized that we are all the same.

Firstly, understanding local customs, adjusting to the local legal procedures since having a background as a lawyer, getting acquitted with locals to eliminate language barriers, finally personal safety due to wake of political instability and search of a missing individual.

It would have been hard for me to keep track of the local history and cultural tensions, as well as learning Pidgin English so quickly, and learning what the local customs were in terms of what is socially acceptable. I’m also really picky about food, so that would be difficult for me to adjust to as well.

I would have had a difficult time adjusting to the custom of handing out "dashes." While Richard Spradlin may have been generous with his "dashes," I simply would not have the money available to display such generosity.

Spradlin's use of Pidgin English seemed like a significant cultural adjustment. And to be able to communicate effectively with characters throughout the book in this way, I imagine would be very challenging.

Another thing that would be difficult to adjust to, is the frequency of Spradlin's use of hidden dash. Having an assortment of 20 dollar bills in a dozen various pockets, and knowing the right time to access them.

The political unrest would certainly present challenges. The uncertainty and delicacy of watching what you say and do. I am very lucky to live in a country that does not require bribes and payoffs to move about normally. So definitely the overall restrictions. Combined with the language/culture barriers, communication would be difficult to navigate.

In the circumstance of this book, there is an added level of fear as Spradlin is intentionally placing himself in the line of fire by investigating and asking questions.

The author discusses Spradlin's use of Pidgin English, political unrest, and language barriers, which make communication difficult and add fear to his investigation, despite living in a bribe-free country.

The fact that there was political unrest would be a major issue because it would cause me anxiety. Another significant difficulty would be language.

Understanding and respecting the various languages, traditions, and religious practices would require significant effort and sensitivity. I do believe cultural adjustments would be essential for building trust, fostering relationships, and effectively navigating the social and professional landscapes in Nigeria.

The "dash" tradition would have been a costly habit for me to adopt, unlike Richard Spradlin, who appeared to have a bottomless wallet for such gestures.

I would have struggled to adapt to the local practice of giving "dashes" (small bribes or gifts), as I wouldn't have had the financial means to show such liberality, unlike Richard Spradlin, who seemed to be able to afford it.

I would have struggled to adapt to the local practice of giving "dashes" (small gifts or bribes), as Richard Spradlin seemed to do with ease. Unlike him, I wouldn't have had the financial means to show such largesse, making it a challenging custom for me to navigate.

Grasping and honoring the diverse languages, traditions, and religious practices would necessitate considerable effort and sensitivity. I truly believe that cultural adaptations are crucial for establishing trust, nurturing relationships, and successfully navigating the social and professional environments in Nigeria.

I believe I would have had difficulty keeping track of which division of the country was involved in conflicts or had previously fought. Understanding the relationships and rivalries between different groups was something Richard leveraged to his benefit. He also observed that some of these divisions were breaking down as people collaborated and recognized that we are all fundamentally the same.