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Trip is getting close (10 sleeps). As this is our first visit to Jamaica, I have a question regarding local customs. What's appropriate, and what's not? When you meet/greet someone, or say goodbye, what's the customary method of doing so - hand shake?, fist bump?, bro hug? How do the locals shake hands - the classic palm-to-palm, or locked thumbs? Anything else I need to know to show respect? When has a local "crossed the line" when interacting with my girlfriend?
Teach me!
In Negril, most of the locals who will greet you are higglers who will try to sell you things (any and everything). Usually a fist bump will suffice. If you are not interested in buying anything from them don't stop to fist bump or chat, just keep walking and smile and say "not interested" in a firm but friendly way! Never say anything like "maybe later" or "not today". To them, that means you will buy next time they see you.
If they try to hand something to you to look at don't accept it. You hold onto it you buy it. Don't let them put a bracelet on your wrist without your permission, it is a scam.
As far as your girlfriend is concerned. Any unwanted physical contact or inappropriate sexually suggestive verbal dialogue would be crossing the line, just like home.
check this out ..........http://www.negril.com/discus/messages/9472/51312.html
Unfortunately if you shake hands they will hold on for dear life while they try and sell you something (literally hold onto you kinda assault like).
The last few years it seems like the higglers start with "buy this? buy this? buy this?" and when you don't they ask for 'support', basically begging. I know countless couples who will never step foot in Jamaica again due to the non-stop high pressure hustlers.
Be polite but don't bother offering a hand, hug, or fistbump unless you want to hear their bull****. Or worse, have to pry yourself from their hold.
JDd.......that is a excellent read... Negril 101......that should be a sticky right there, ''don't invite a Jamaican back to your place unless you want him to let you buy him a drink....LMAO !!!!!!! :)
I would say the most appropriate way to act is to act how you want to be treated. I wouldn't worry about acting like a local, because you aren't a local. People will know you are a visitor from a mile away (and then approach you trying to sell you something). Respect generates respect, for the most part.
I would suggest that on an average interaction, a friendly greeting and departure are common. If someone is selling and you aren't buying, like halfwaytree said, a firm but respectful "not interested" is most appropriate because its the truth. Or say whatever the truth is in regards to your level of interest when someone has something to sell you.
A fist bump is a friendly greeting, but I only do that to people I see and talk with regularly. I hug friends I have gotten to know over the last few years.
If you happen to have a disagreement or conflict with someone, try to handle it with as much grace as you can muster. You are a visitor and guest in someone's hometown, neighborhood, restaurant, or hotel.
Be as genuine as you can. Do not be deceitful. If someone asks you a question that you don't want to answer, say "no thanks" rather than lie.
Men, and possibly women, may advance upon your girlfriend. Again, with as much grace as can be manage, a firm but respectful, "not interested" is important in this situation.
The only ones who can tell where that "line" is and when it is crossed are you and your girlfriend... an ANY situation. If you are uncomfortable, walk away. You may be insulted as you leave, but words are only words. For the most part, people on the beach are looking for one key outcome: that you buy something from them, and sometimes for them. Know your own limits and boundaries and stick to them.
The first part of this list offers decent basic information (Negril 101: The Basics)...but the rest of the link/list is 10 years old and is quite outdated...just so someone doesn't go looking for some of the businesses listed in that link...'cause many are no longer there.Quote:
Originally Posted by JDd
thi is awesome information.....thxQuote:
Originally Posted by JDd
It was interesting seeing some of the old places and how things have changed, but agree... even some the "latest" maps aren't accurate! Things change so quickly!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
common cents.........everytime
:cool:
Polite, but firm.
We brought all our adult children to Negril a few years ago. I made one thing clear to all of them before we went. You can be polite but firm when dealing with the higglers, but don't ever let me see you disrespect anyone. They live here and are just trying make a living.
Great advice! I am bringing my two teens in a week and a half and basically told them the same thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by gregandkelly63
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When I see a male start to move like he is going to touch me, I say "Don't touch me" in a low, firm voice directed his way. They always pull back, but if they kept coming or maybe didn't catch it I would say it again. We can talk, he can give me the information I need, but I am not for him to touch.
As far as the hand-shaking, 'Its winter, lots of people traveling from the North, I am afraid of germs so I don't shake hands on the street'. Jamaicans don't like germs, and will commiserate on wanting to avoid cold or flu.
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Fist bump. I try to never shake hands with anyone I don't know in Jamaica. Shaking hands is a good way for something you do not want to be placed into your hand, or for them to hold on for dear life while trying to sell you something.
Actually I try to never really touch anyone or have them touch me.
So far I have not run into any major issues with higglers, the ones I have dealt with have been friendly enough. I am polite, but firm. Most of them want to know if I am there alone since my husband needs to hide in the shade if we are on the beach and I am a sun-worshipper so we rarely are sitting together. I smile, say no, point to the husband, and tell them he looks like he is sleeping, but I promise you he is not, and right on queue my husband will wave, lol!
I always fist bump, no hand shaking unless it's someone that I know, then it's a handshake or "bro hug". The most important rule, IMO, is to always be respectful. That alone will avert a lot of hassle. Always acknowledge people, I never just ignore (it's just rude). Be decent, and you won't have many issues.
As to the locals crossing the line with your lady, it has never happened to us, as long as I'm present. The locals have always been respectful in that regard, at least in my experience. But I'm always with her, so that helps a lot.
Put something on over your swimsute if you go to town. like a cover-up.
real jamaicans..... imo... are very respectful people.... they would never..... ever.
beach hustlers will tell you what you want to hear
The hand shake is the hook.. if you start with that you'll get the 'cool' handshake and likely more, a pitch, a 'gift.' Another greeting is for a higgler to offer your 'pretty lady' a gift where the solicitor ties a wrist band on her, don't let them! You may be on a walk and someone will join you and just start chatting it up where 20 mins later or so they may want a fee for the tour. The list goes on.. The regular greeting on Jamaica is "Wa gwan" akin to "what's going on".. this young lady is really cute and put a great piece together on greetings: https://youtu.be/ic5O-8GiOg8
A local man should have permission from you to speak with 'mi lady'.. well, it's really more lax than that, but you can call someone on this.. at least I have. I had a guy hassle us on the beach one night and I told him he was disrespecting me by speaking to 'mi lady' without my permission.. that was pretty much the end of discussion. I would say do not leave your lady alone at a local bar without a friend being with her.. as soon as you step out she will be approached and will hear some pretty crude and frankly down and dirty lines.. Please do not characterize all Jamaicans by my points, most Jamaicans are absolutely wonderful, friendly and warm people especially given the economic and political oppression they deal with.
If someone asks you for a drink I would suggest you tell them that if they buy the first round you will buy the next two rounds and see what happens. Here's hoping you have a great time.
-Seamuis
Wow. I didn't realize that interacting with Jamaicans required so much of an education. I just seem to treat everyone pretty much the same wherever I go in the world and don't really have many problems.
Just be yourself. Jamaicans will know if your "real" or a "fake".
My thoughts exactly Bill!
My first instinct was similar to Accompong's comments, to tell you it's the same as anywhere...other than Jamaicans tend to be more polite and more formal in their daily greetings...very British in style...maybe I'd call it a bit of an aloofness compared to an overall American personality. My information is a generalization.Quote:
Originally Posted by madtowndan
But, then I remembered there are some aggressive higglers and hustlers that may approach you...which can be intimidating to newcomers or people that are shy in being approached...you've received some good information above from those that have dealt with them before.
Fist bump, hand shake...all appropriate.
You're going to hear the words "good night" in the late evening/nighttime as a greeting not to be confused with saying goodbye, but to be understood the same as we would say "good morning" to each other. :)
Enjoy yourselves...relax...go with the flow...
the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the sea is calm and a dirty banana or rum cream in your coffee is an excellent breakfast starter. :)
Any guidance from experienced travelers can be very helpful. It should be taken into consideration that there are probably people here looking for advice that may have never traveled out of their home country or even out of their home town or even leaving the AI's and hitting the road in Jamaica for the first time. Its fun for me to help people to have a great time in Jamaica and it seems that the purpose of this forum is to do the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by TedP
Not sure if it's still commonly used but "good evening" = "good afternoon"
In Jamaican society it is considered impolite not to to greet someone without saying "Good mornin', good evening or good night"
Cap
I'm sure interacting with Jamaicans doesn't require that much of an education. I'm not looking to act like a local or try to speak patois. However, there are certain things that are good to know. For instance, as several have pointed out, Jamaicans greet with "good afternoon" and "good evening" as a matter of course, and that is considered polite behavior. I didn't know that, and while I'm in the habit of saying "good morning" quite frequently, I rarely do the same in the afternoon or evening - good to know, and something I will make a conscious effort to do in Jamaica. Being genuine and polite is one thing, but there are different ways to interact with people in different parts of the world, and not following their customs can be misinterpreted. Would you have reacted the same way if I was asking about customary behavior if I were travelling to Japan?Quote:
Originally Posted by Accompong
In my humble opinion, this thread was kind of directed in the wrong way. The hustler and higglers are a separate topic. I have found almost all Jamaican (other than the higglers) to be polite and civil. If you want to get to know them you will know that you have to tease out bit about their personal life. Also Jamaicans are religious. Grew up in the church. I bring my guitar when I visit and I can tell you that they know their gospel music. And will sing with you.
That is awesome!Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa Georgie
Capt...when I was taking a course here...a group of Jamaicans were arguing when you're supposed to say good afternoon, good evening and good night. This impassioned group decided that the polite and correct way to greet someone was from noon to 4pm with good afternoon, from 4-7pm you were to be greeted with good evening and after 7pm was good night. And, if any other Jamaican did not do it this way they were being improper... ;) ...tough group...but they were all fabulous!Quote:
Originally Posted by captaind
Love it Papa Georgie!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Papa Georgie
i remember the first time i went....
no place like this...
Accompong, perhaps you missed this comment? "Please do not characterize all Jamaicans by my points, most Jamaicans are absolutely wonderful, friendly and warm people especially given the economic and political oppression they deal with."Quote:
Originally Posted by Accompong
I'm not sure what's fake about that, perhaps it's the smoke that has not cleared yet?
This is cracking me up......a few years back I was at Bar b Barn visiting a friend ( irie chic :) ) .......and the security guard came up to me and said ''good night''......I thought he was telling me to leave, lol !!
have you ever heard of 1st nite syndrome?Quote:
Originally Posted by madtowndan
o ya......
HAVE FUN:cool:
I'll bite - what's the 1st night syndrome?Quote:
Originally Posted by JDd
Perhaps turning on a fan and clearing the air around you would help. I never implied that Jamaicans were "fake". I hearken back to the '60s in California when everyone wanted to look and act like a hippie (for the free love I think! ;) ) A real "hippie" (just like a real Jamaican) can spot a poser from all the way down the street.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamuis
Knowing the latest thumb-rubbing handshake won't get a tourist mistaken for a Jamaican. Again, be yourself and the vibe you send out will dictate how you are treated. When you meet a Jamaican that you want to be good friends with, he or she will teach you what is the newest fad and not the other way around.
My point at the beginning is that being "real" and "genuine" in how you approach Jamaicans is more important than being a Phd in Jamaican Culture with a degree from the Internet majoring in DIY Travel Expert 101.
it can be.... any number of combinations of sun sand subs ....the list goes on?Quote:
Originally Posted by madtowndan
oh ya have fun.... and watch out for your toes.JAMAICA can be hard on a first timers toes
Ummm ya...not just "first timers toes"... Rob's toes are always some sort of purple or blue...lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by JDd
The ground is rock and uneven...so are many of the man made steps... :o
First, I was not suggesting you be anyone other than yourself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Accompong
Second, there is nothing wrong with saying "Wa Gwan" in Jamaica or "Buenos dias" in LatAm.
Third, I was not insinuating those traveling to Jamaica are best served learning the secret handshake of the day, what I was saying is many higglers use handshake as a 'hook.' You try and walk past with a pleasant "No Thank You" and the higglers roll into a big handshake routine. It's a great rapport building technique employed by higglers, which really is no different than any handshake at a business meeting. For some the business is questionable and that is not just in Jamaica.
I agree you will meet cool friendly Jamaicans who will show you the latest newest fad.
I also agree that trying to be anyone other than yourself is a losing proposition, but that is true anywhere.
Apologies if I came across any differently that was not my intent.
-Seamuis