It could catch on...hey, I hear that the hummingbird has a good band...it could go viral..
lol. :D
It could catch on...hey, I hear that the hummingbird has a good band...it could go viral..
lol. :D
When the locals ask where I'm from, i love to tell them "Kingston." Usually gets a wide-eyed reaction.
LOL, next time gerryg123, tell them TrenchTown!
Do they have a/c rooms at hummingbird?
LOL! I've been cracking up while reading some of the posts in this thread!Quote:
Originally Posted by marley9808
Regarding Hustlers - I found that the first few days in Negril were the hardest. We were pale as ghosts and looking around nervously like blatant newbies. We were fresh bait. The vendors were literally forming a line and coming at us one by one.
After a few days, they knew who we were and waved. We weren't really hassled so much after that.
I found that not always carrying money on us helped make it easier to refuse the offers. I also had to keep my hands behind my back so they wouldn't try to put something in it and use the "Here. You can just pay me back later" line. The easiest to refuse was the drug offers. A simple "No, thanks. I'm not into that. No drugs, just drinking." works. no hassle after that.
It was also easier once we left the Grand Pineapple and took off those stupid AI bracelets. Those bracelets caught everyone's attention and made it impossible to say we were staying somewhere else..... like "The HummingBird" for example. :) LOL
Just an FYI when I stay AI I do one of two things. I have them hook the bracelet loosely and I slide it off and in my bag when offsite OR I suddenly grew an obsession for thick banded shell bracelets while in Jamaica and I cover my band if too tight too slip off. Yes, AI bracelets make you seem like rich meat.
I should just wear a shirt that says I'm not rich I'm an alcoholic and it's cheaper this way. LOL ( no offense to anyone with addictions)
The thinking is, if the average tourist spends a full week in Negril, then for every seven you approach, one of them will be on their FIRST day ....
I have to say this; no one has bothered us for the last half dozen visits.
Well; maybe once or twice.
Guess we don't look like targets?
Just a few thoughts from my heart and only one person's view:
I don't like the word beggar but you guys know I am a prude (lol). Jamaicans nah worry about speaking straightforward so probably would not be offended but for some reason I am. The homeless man on my corner here at home (Eddie) has become a good friend and I would never call him a beggar. I prefer to think of them as business people just trying to make it. Each with their own "story".
A respectful "No thanks I'm good" is all that is required in my personal experience, if necessary repeat if someone is being agressive. Hopefully those new to traveling to JA will research and be prepared or we can help them out if we see someone being overwhelmed. I have seen locals and property security be very helpful too so I never worry. I try to walk a mile in someone's shoes but can't imagine how hard given the downfall in tourism and the economy.
Now hustlers....got mad skills - top salesman.....can be a challenge but I have gotten to know a few and although I cannot relate completely, I can admire their charm and perseverence. Bless all of us on our journeys and respect when our paths cross.
I think a lot of us can relate to this -- look at the number of views! Actually, I don't mind vendors one bit, it's the guys who ask for a free dollar or follow you into a bar and try to order a beer on your tab -- those are the ones who drive me crazy. I must have met 100 hustlers who've tried to guide me somewhere, then beg a tip!
LMFAO kahuna and jon c - ok i gotta admit, that IS hilarious.... between all of us, we'll have 'built' an entire new virtual resort, & pretty soon ALL the beach vendors will be up and down that beach, looking confused, and SWEARING they 'mussi jus pass de place' ... EEEE hee hee eheee
I guess if you want to vacation there this is something you must get used too,my last visit(my first non A/I) was a real eye opener.
I love the 'Hummingbird" idea. But honestly I don't think I would be able to keep my composure when the person acts like they know the place...I would probably just start laughing. I don't know though, for some reason I don't get bothered that much. I get more annoyed being asked if I need a taxi every 3 seconds when walking on the road.
to the Higglers I just smaile and say "sorry you have nothing I want" and dont even slow down, keep walking. To a beggar again smile and say "sorry cant help you"
I guess if you keep moving, you're in good shape ... Inevitably, i get cornered when I have to stop somewhere like the bank or a chicken barrel guy .... That's when they swoop in ..... I think I am going to ride my line of "I'll be back" for as long it works!
"No, am good - respect." Just keep walking.....
Recent conversations in Negril:
Come look at my wood carvings. No thanks, I have a carver up in Red Ground. And I do!
How about a snorkel trip to the reef? No thanks, we only go out with Famous Vincent. And we do!
How about some weed? No thanks, I'm a Christian. And I am!
Nest day, same guy. How about some weed?....Oh yea, your the Christian. I just smiled and walked away.
Lobsters for sale (beach vendor). Well, it's not lobster season so they are either frozen or POACHED! Quietly he responded....frozen.
Taxi? No mon, we only go with Red Plates.
Where are you staying? Down the beach.
Do you want to change any money? Yes, the cambio is just around the corner and has good rates.
Walking the beach first thing in the morning: Come look at my wares. Okay, but I don't have any money on me. And I don't
Regards,
Bob
i dont think the "i dont have any money on me" line works too well. If you're North American, you're credit is golden on the beach.
Generally a no but thank you works for me. I remember one time a carver put something in my hand and I said Thank You and started walking again LOL he came and got it and noone has put anything in my hand since then.
I walk with earphones and pretend I don't hear. when someone gets aggressive I tell them " love you to and blow them a kiss - works like a charm
it's always been a problem on the beach and usually a smile and "no thank you" works but one trip it seemed like it wasn't working so as we saw the ganga man approaching i told me my husband to start speaking chinese. worked like a charm ! ( we don't speak chinese, he just started making up some wierd stuff that kind of sounded like it)
Ha! Years ago there was this stalkie woman that hung around Lime Tree lane - I could not walk by when she wouldn't hit me up for something. I just started speaking Hebrew one day - and she never dealt with me again (as a matter of fact, she avoided me, probably thought I was speaking in tongues)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bella Bea
And say "Mi nah tourist. Ask dem."Quote:
Originally Posted by RastaCrab
Truthfully, I do not get approached by vendors or beggars or hustlers very often at all. The worst of it usually comes in those first couple of days when I have to go downtown to do my shopping and I'm still "clear". But even then, I guess I carry myself in a way that doesn't scream "rich tourist". When I get begged on I just tell them I don't have any money and keep walking (or start walking as the case might be).
Vendors or hustlers...I don't spend much time on "the" beach and when I do I tend not to get bothered...I tend to go there only during high tourist season and they tend to occupy themselves with the more "fresh" faces on the block. On the West End we really do not have much of that activity at all. The worst of it seems to be at Ricks at Sunset and if I'm walking by at that time I simply say no thank you and they don't bother with me further than that.
What I love about being in Negril though is not having to rush anywhere...so if a vendor does call me over, whether or not I am interested in buying something I will stop by just for a talk - just so I don't blow them off and appear disrespectful. I'll admire their work and when they go in for the sell I'll make it clear that I'm not interested in buying. But sometimes I'll see something cute or interesting and then everyone wins.
As far as the men - the scene at places like Alfreds, Roots and Bourbon Beach can get intense. I'll always say I'm married and when they say something about their fabulous Jamaican Bamboo I'll point to my "husband" - usually one of my Jamaican men friends.
As far as the taxis, I don't mind them beeping and asking...I just tell them I'm OK. I've gotten used to it. On the West End the route drivers know me and know I'll flag them down if I need them.
As would I! (Joke.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaherring
As soon as I inform them that I am a U.S. Marshall, they avoid me like the plague.
Big UPs to you, Sweetness! Maybe I'm a prude too, hehe ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetness
why would a "US Marshall" Title mean anything to the average "higgler"?????
I have heard" I'm CIA"..."US War Hero"...FBI Agent..."Dea and so on.......
they just have a laugh later.........tourist have been saying that for years.......Who Knows? maybe you are, but why would you advertise??
I just say no thanks and if need be , thank them for taking the time to show me their stuff/ make me this offer. That usually ends it right there. They feel respected enough to move on.
Because nothing else worked.
I just say no thanks, have a nice day and keep walking.
must be the accent :)
Got back from Negril on Monday and the outright begging was terrible this trip. The higglers were the same as always, but there was a heck of a lot of outright begging, not higgling, on this trip. And, a simple "no" did not deter them. I finally took to looking the beggar in the eye and stating "I work hard for my money and I don't give it away to ANYONE." That actually did the trick, each and every time....YMMV.
We faced the same begging on our april trip,Mr Stuck had to yell at one guy just to get him to go away(plus gave him a shirt he wanted just to get him to leave)he then wanted shorts to go with shirt.The hubby had a few choice words which only then set him on his way.I guess our up comeing august slow season trip will be a fun time also.....Once you go you know-what to expect next time lol!
I had a good one when i lived there. Say i will empty my pocket and you empty yours. whoever has the least takes all! Just remember to keep you money someplace other than your pocket! lol It rarely came to that though. When i said that they got nervous about losing the little they had
The only place it gets too intense for me is the craft market, so my solution was to stop going there. I really don't like talking to sales reps in the states, it's hard for me there. What kind of made me sad last year was the large number of kids that were out asking for a dollar at 8 pm or later. Makes me feel like their parents are making the kids ask.
For the hardcore taxis, higglers and drug sellers, my wife is quick with a no. A woman clapped at her in sunshine plaza last epyear (we were maybe 20' off, headed to the pharmacy from a trip to the dr.) and I thought she was going to lose her mind. The wife is so much better at saying no than I am.
What didn't you understand the N or the O
Hustlers: no thanks and keep it moving beach hustlers usually have their territory and won't cross too far into the next.
Vendors: not thanks and keep it moving if I see something I like, I'll make an offer and be quick to walk away if it's not accepted
Truly hungry women/elderly folks: if I have the resources I will purchase some box food for them; never cash. have been known to pick up some rice and things at the grocery store. I don't buy booze or cigarettes for anyone.
If I'm in the mood to give a small blessing to someone, I'll look to the one in the corner off to the side who doesn't ask and discreetly give. sometimes those folks get preyed upon if someone sees they've gotten something.
It's really too bad the situation has become what it has. Back in the 70's and 80's there was very little in the way of hustling and begging but as Negril grew larger more people from the surrounding areas came to try and make a living. I have said many times that the Jamaican Tourist Board and the police should have had some plan in place to reduce the amount and frequency of the hustle and bustle on the beach as many tourists won't return to Jamaica after experiencing the beach and being bombarded all day long. Obviously the numerous AI's were built with that in mind to at least be able to control their beach front and not allow non guests on the property. Personally I can deal with the realities of Negril Beach but prefer instead to go to other places in Jamaica. My time in JA is limited and I am trying to escape the noise of my everyday existance and don't won't to be saying NO five hundred times a day to people that I really have no interest in interacting with. The thing that reinforces my position on this is how Black Jamaicans (from other parts of the island) react to the hustlers and beggars, they can be very outspoken and harsh in their way of dealing with Negril Hustlers and beggars. I remember reading an article about Lee Scratch Perry and he was asked why he has left Jamaica for Switzerland and he said that he tired of the begging in Jamaica!! So its not only white tourists who tire of it.
I agree with going with the respect line
"no thank you" and being firm
Ya'll have me laughing.
"Where you stay?"
"The Hummingbird."
Then I remembered this:http://www.realnegril.com/royale/
So, you could be staying there!
After 30 years, there aren't many things I haven't already purchased so I just tell them that. For those proffering drugs, I hold up my hand palm forward and rock it back and forth, "No mon. Christian." Works every time.
Wow... so many tricks and lies to get one's point across.
We've been going to Negril for 30 years and have found that an honest and sincere "No, thank you" almost always works.
Also, never realized Christians don't smoke ganja.