Ladies, this is why you should not be too dependent on men

It’s normal for people to occasionally complain about rough economic patches — this year however has been annoyingly tough all through.

So I understand when I see revellers filing to wines and spirits outlets or drinking from the comfort of their homes.

Clubs are hurting, even those that used to attract clients in large numbers back in the day. Most joints in Westlands, which has been the epicentre of entertainment in Nairobi, have closed shop.

I have seen a few advertising happy hour prices next to their billboards.

I must say that things were good back in our days — a bottle of beer went for 10 bob. In fact, one could afford to buy several rounds for friends without feeling a pinch.

Things are different today, with everyone ordering and paying for themselves — It’s called going Dutch.

Men no longer play gentlemen just to please women.

I remember taking a girl out to Mandy’s Restaurant many years ago. I had budgeted for chips and sausage, that’s what I could afford.

While there, the lady decides to eat chicken, so I played the gentleman and took soda bila. I later escorted her to the bus top, received a morale building hug then hit the road and walked all the way to Buru. I had no bus fare!

I walked knowing all too well I had to pass by Jericho where bullies like Ouma ‘Ous’ now a famous barber in town used to bully us believing that all Buru chaps were softies.

He only feared Zingich, Maich, Babu and Agripa who used to play football at Kiwanja Kubwa in Jericho.

The same thing happened to my friend Tony Githuka.

Githuka had just fed his girlfriend on bananas, and was about to walk home when his girlfriend offered to see him off at the bus stop.

He had no money left in his pocket, so he boarded the bus but alighted at the next stop — he walked all the way to Loresho like a gentleman.

But things have changed a lot today. You will meet a lady on lets say FB, or at restaurant on a Monday. Right away she will flirt with you, and in the next sentence ask for a favor. Of course she wants you to loan her some money. It’s time ladies just called this a grant, because it will never come back.

‘Sponsors’ must be on the lookout. Many of these young girls will befriend as many men as possible, where they batch men into groups before sending each of them text messages asking for favors. The same text is sent to 15 men.

The usually small amounts, say Sh2,000 or Sh1,000 — they don’t want to raise suspicions.

A few gentlemen send even more than what they are asked. So do your math and you will see how these women survive in Nairobi.

Women must learn to work hard. Stop these survival antics , you know, like asking a man to open for you a beauty shop yet you have no idea what you are talking about.

Meanwhile, men should be smart and just avail a list of banks that can offer loans to ‘needy’ women and let them start the journey.

[email protected]; @AineaOjiambo.