Negril needs attention

had no idea things were this bad...I haven't set foot in Negril in over 10 years
How do you Negrilaholics feel about this?


Negril Needs Attention

Published:Friday | January 24, 2020 | 12:37 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:

I would like to join the many writers to this newspaper who have expressed concerns about the situation in Negril. I visited over the New Year holiday period and was appalled at the level of hustling and badgering of visitors on the beach by folks selling all kinds of items and services.

I believe the Ministry of Tourism will have to embark on a new anti-harassment campaign to re-sensitise the local residents against this harmful practice while at the same time create opportunities to provide meaningful employment for the local people who, quite frankly, are just trying to survive with their hustling.

The main Norman Manley Boulevard must also come in for some attention. It’s generally unkempt, with pan chicken drums everywhere and traffic islands in the middle of the roads, creating a real danger for motorists at nights.

Even the ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ sign has been blown off its stand and lies on the ground a dutty up di place tuh.

Negril is a very special place. Just being there imbues you with a sense of peace. You can literally feel the weight come off your shoulders when you arrive. But we must care and protect this place for us and future generations.

WINSTON BARRETT


http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...eeds-attention
http://http://jamaica-gleaner.com/ar...eeds-attention

BoyMackie if you were in Negril 10 years ago I think you experienced one of the high water marks for hustlers. You wouldn't recognize the place! It is way, way, way more mellow than it was 20, 15, or 10 years ago. In every way. Is it sad that some people still need to hustle tourists to make money? yes. Would it be better if all the locals in Negril had terrific jobs? yes.

My guess is that these "appalled" folks were visiting Negril for the first time. First trip outside of an AI maybe. In my opinion the hustling has been waning every year.

If you want disney world, go to disney world. If you want awesome chicken, hit up a drum on Normal Manley Boulevard. Just watch your a$$ when you cross the road.

I hit one of those frick'n Traffic Islands at night in front of Travellers on a motorcycle & crashed not being able to see the dam thing til the last second when a car is in front of you on my last visit in February '19...I go past there every single day to the beach all the way to Tree House..so I know they're there..but I rarely ever are down on the beach road at night since I stay in the Cliffs..that night I did to have dinner with a friend..it ended my vacation a week early due to my injuries...but I'm thankful since it could of been so much worst if I would have hit it dead on..I only glanced off it on the right side of the bottom of the bike..but enough to throw the bike to the left & down I went...those things did NOT slow down traffic they were supposed during the day time especially...they steal about 2 feet at least of road from the center out in each lane & there lies one of the problems..no lights above at night...no reflectors on poles in the island..they're extremely dangerous as after my incident many stories have been told of motorbikes...cars..trucks..busses having accidents with them..they ought to be jackhammered immediately & abolished STAT...just my 2 cents

Agree with Kold .. much worse for us 10 - 15 years ago than it was the last few years we have been there ..

It has gotten better,but all it takes is one bad experience to ruin your stay. If it happens to a new visitor that's what they remember and tell others.

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Originally Posted by CG1404

It has gotten better,but all it takes is one bad experience to ruin your stay. If it happens to a new visitor that's what they remember and tell others.

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Yup! And some deal with it better than others.....

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Originally Posted by Weeboy1

Yup! And some deal with it better than others.....

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Lets not go victim-blaming, when the problem is the hustler and not his target. How that person feels or responds is not the issue - how they were approached and what caused it, is.

I'm not there as often as some of you - usually a week or two a year, so I'm not the "expert" many here seem to be. But in my opinion, it hasn't changed much. I think a lot of it comes down to the time of year you visit. In the offseason, especially towards the end, people who need money can get downright desperate. We typically come in April and/or September, and as far as I've noticed, the hassle seems worse in September, every year. Fewer people around makes it easier to become a target, and if you, for example, walk the beach from Travellers to the AI's, you'll be approached repeatedly, and many times it's not a quick "no thank you", but being followed/walked with, being asked all kinds of personal questions, being asked directly for money, and then the attitude when you give them nothing. I know what a bumb***** is, having been called it many times while walking the beach because I don't want more ganja / souvenirs / to buy them a drink / give them cash / that if I don't give I'm not showing "respect". LOL at that.

I keep telling myself to not get involved in these threads, because it's extremely frustrating when others come in here and say it doesn't happen, or it's not that bad, or blame the person it happened to, that they must have done something to cause it, or that they must be "snowflakes" who can't take a "little fun".

I still come back. And I still walk the beach. But my wife stays at the hotel, because it's just not worth the hassle to her. And then it's only one person walking the beach, spending money at bars and on food, and not two. And, I'd have a much better time if I didn't have to play "the game" the entire way, and have the same conversations over and over. How much money doesn't walk the beach, but instead stays at the hotel or at their AI? I would venture a guess and say it's a lot.

Wasn’t insinuating that the tourist was to blame. And I do agree there are some vendors that don’t know when to quit and can be quite intimidating to some. However I’ve found the vast majority of vendors/weed sellers etc ply their trade and when politely declined move on. The character of the many trying to eek out a living shouldn’t be judged by the actions of a few.
I also feel people need to be more polite in general. Countless times I’ve seen tourists pass by an inquiring vendor like they didn’t exist or cursed them and shooed them away like they were a stray dog. That’s not right either. Say something, at least acknowledge them, even if it’s just saying no thank you.

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Originally Posted by Weeboy1

Wasn’t insinuating that the tourist was to blame. And I do agree there are some vendors that don’t know when to quit and can be quite intimidating to some. However I’ve found the vast majority of vendors/weed sellers etc ply their trade and when politely declined move on. The character of the many trying to eek out a living shouldn’t be judged by the actions of a few.
I also feel people need to be more polite in general. Countless times I’ve seen tourists pass by an inquiring vendor like they didn’t exist or cursed them and shooed them away like they were a stray dog. That’s not right either. Say something, at least acknowledge them, even if it’s just saying no thank you.

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I agree. Hostility begets hostility. True that some on both sides feel that a hostile approach gets results but usually not the result they are looking for.

Some people let small things bother them too much on a vacation.

Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by BoyMackie

had no idea things were this bad...I haven't set foot in Negril in over 10 years
How do you Negrilaholics feel about this?


Negril Needs Attention

Published:Friday | January 24, 2020 | 12:37 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:

I would like to join the many writers to this newspaper who have expressed concerns about the situation in Negril. I visited over the New Year holiday period and was appalled at the level of hustling and badgering of visitors on the beach by folks selling all kinds of items and services.

I believe the Ministry of Tourism will have to embark on a new anti-harassment campaign to re-sensitise the local residents against this harmful practice while at the same time create opportunities to provide meaningful employment for the local people who, quite frankly, are just trying to survive with their hustling.

The main Norman Manley Boulevard must also come in for some attention. It’s generally unkempt, with pan chicken drums everywhere and traffic islands in the middle of the roads, creating a real danger for motorists at nights.

Even the ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ sign has been blown off its stand and lies on the ground a dutty up di place tuh.

Negril is a very special place. Just being there imbues you with a sense of peace. You can literally feel the weight come off your shoulders when you arrive. But we must care and protect this place for us and future generations.

WINSTON BARRETT


http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/l...eeds-attention
http://http://jamaica-gleaner.com/ar...eeds-attention

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Mr. Winston Barrett, sorry the pan chicken drums “everywhere” offends you, but have you considered the operators of these chicken drums use this as a source of income? I know many people who like the food from these drums which are operated by hardworking people trying to make a living. Otherwise, the operators may wind up on the beach “hustling” for money.

In our experience, most recently this reach and the previous one in October in particular, the hustling on the beach has reduced considerably both in amount and aggression. We walk the beach a lot, from Sun Beach north to the AIs and south to Sunnyside and in a cases when we have been approached, the usual, simple, "No, thank you" has sufficed.

We have noticed more of a police presence on the beach, especially this current reach. They are both walking and riding, both daytime and evening time. We were eating at Chances last night around 7 PM and the police mobile came tooling past.

I don't know what other folks are experiencing; but to us the 7 mile beach is the same vibe as it has been for a few years now.

Now about the sidewalk situation........

I like the idea of more police on the beach. I realize people are trying to make a living but they really should stay off the beach. Just my opinion. Was in Miami last week and there were 0 vendors on the beach, just a beautiful view and lots of beautiful people. We plan on coming back to Negril in January 2021 and if higglers bother my wife we won't be back, no point going somewhere where she is not comfortable.

If I was you I’d go somewhere else in 2021....

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Originally Posted by Weeboy1

If I was you I’d go somewhere else in 2021....

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Great answer! Nothing like actually addressing the topic and hand and the legitimate concerns about tourists being harassed on the beach. It's exactly that kind of attitude which leads tourists to look elsewhere.

My wife are thinking about a return trip with our children ages 9 and 6. I have been 8 times and my wife 5 so we consider ourselves Jamerican. However, this is the first trip with kids. Do the hustlers respect the fact your kids are present and lay off or do they not care? It won't really affect our decision either way as I'm used to the beach scene and culture. Nothing will stop me from walking the beach to get some pizza at Chances and jerk bamboo from the Kuyaba!

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Originally Posted by TuffGong

Great answer! Nothing like actually addressing the topic and hand and the legitimate concerns about tourists being harassed on the beach. It's exactly that kind of attitude which leads tourists to look elsewhere.

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TG, maybe you need to reread your own post!
You do realize the beach is public right? And the vendors are Jamaican citizens right? With more right to be there than us.
Yes, A small fraction can occasionally be an issue but the vast majority are not and are a welcome part of my beach experience .....and are also “beautiful” people !

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Originally Posted by Weeboy1

TG, maybe you need to reread your own post!
You do realize the beach is public right? And the vendors are Jamaican citizens right? With more right to be there than us.
Yes, A small fraction can occasionally be an issue but the vast majority are not and are a welcome part of my beach experience .....and are also “beautiful” people !

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The beach may be "public" but that doesn't give anyone the right to be a "vendor" there without the proper documentation and licensing. No one is questioning the Jamaican people's right to be there and enjoy the beach just like our right to do so.

If you go to a city like Kingston and see vendors setting up the entire width of the sidewalk and blocking rent paying, licensed to sell store owner's doorways and harassing patrons, you get a sense of what it is like when you don't enforce laws against illegal vending.

I like to buy pan chicken as much as the next person but there are health and safety concerns as well to consider. It is also true that most take safety and sanitary concerns seriously but when you open it up to any and all who want to cut an oil barrel in half to make a living then you also increase the risk.

Much of the reason that the beach has a vast majority of good "beautiful" people and not a majority of the ones that can occasionally be an issue is that there are laws that are enforced. Stop enforcing the laws then you will see a public beach become a free-for-all.

Just my opinion.

I totally agree we were there early January , amount of higglers on the beach are way fewer than 10-15 years ago, ide say kudos to negril, I'll be back next year for real,,,

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Originally Posted by Kold Ass Mofo

BoyMackie if you were in Negril 10 years ago I think you experienced one of the high water marks for hustlers. You wouldn't recognize the place! It is way, way, way more mellow than it was 20, 15, or 10 years ago. In every way. Is it sad that some people still need to hustle tourists to make money? yes. Would it be better if all the locals in Negril had terrific jobs? yes.

My guess is that these "appalled" folks were visiting Negril for the first time. First trip outside of an AI maybe. In my opinion the hustling has been waning every year.

If you want disney world, go to disney world. If you want awesome chicken, hit up a drum on Normal Manley Boulevard. Just watch your a$$ when you cross the road.

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The bottom line is that Negril is not for everyone. We love it and see the hustlers on the beach as part of the show. Remember you want something different the what you experience in your day to day lives at home.

We've brought our kids to Jamaica several times when they were between the ages of 2 to 17. For the most part, I think there is definitely a higher level of respect shown. Some individuals are still overly aggressive but most of the Jamaicans we have encountered really love kids and it shows in how they treat you as a family. "Family mon" was a phrase that my husband heard frequently and I would be called "mama". Plus, exposing your kids to another culture is a great learning experience for them.

[QUOTE=Accompong;214335][B][FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3]
The beach may be "public" but that doesn't give anyone the right to be a "vendor" there without the proper documentation and licensing.]

How does one know which vendor has the proper documentation and licensing?

Some of the street vendor areas are a bit unsightly, I agree. But I find the street vendors to be part of the Negril experience and would hate to see them disappear. If you want to clean up the boulevard get rid of that disgustingly stinking waste bin. Everyone knows the one I'm speaking of. I think it's near Time Square.

[QUOTE=BoyMackie;214358]

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Originally Posted by Accompong

[B][FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3]
The beach may be "public" but that doesn't give anyone the right to be a "vendor" there without the proper documentation and licensing.]

How does one know which vendor has the proper documentation and licensing?

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When I am on vacation, I don't worry about how the Jamaican government enforces their laws so I buy or don't buy articles for sale based on anything by my needs. What if they don't have the proper documentation and licensing?

Not my problem but that still doesn't make them in the "right" to be a vendor without it. As time has gone on over the past three plus decades I have been going to Jamaica, I have seen positive but mostly incremental changes in regulating vendors and higglers. One thing is for sure. The government makes money of licensing these people so I believe it will continue to get better organized and enforced.

I work in the hospitality industry in So. Florida and sometimes despise the government requiring all those fees for licensing but it does keep unlicensed businesses from infringing on my business as well.

Again. Just my opinion.

I think if you do the experiment anywhere in the world of plonking down a bunch of "open" (unfenced) resorts for upscale travelers, in an area that is populated but poor, this is the inevitable result. I think it has nothing to do with Jamaican culture and everything to do with human nature.

I know that locals come to Negril from as far as the town I bought my house in (Petersfield, 45 min away) to sell to/beg from/scam the tourists. Jamaicans are squeezed for money. There is work but it pays almost nothing - 5000J/week is not an uncommon salary for unskilled labor. While meanwhile, if you go into any store you'll find dollar-store-quality merchandise selling for 4x what it costs in the US. Services e.g. electricity, internet, etc - cost a lot too. Stress arises from trying to live a westernized lifestyle and support your family, while not having an income that allows for that. It's understandable that a few turn to begging and scamming. It's a small percentage, but there are a lot of surrounding towns, and it adds up.

Re: "blame the victim" - It strikes me that the tourist being hassled is not the only victim. The hassler who has no other way of paying his rent and electricity and water and food bill and kids school fees etc - well, he is also a victim. He's a victim of the Jamaican government's failure to develop the economy, a victim of high taxes and corruption, a victim of past history (slavery, discrimination) and a victim of the world economy's disregard for the global poor.

I am not saying you should open your pockets to the hasslers. Be respectful, but decline. You're not responsible for their families. If you really want to give your money away to needy people, there are far needier people in refugee camps from places like Syria, Myanmar, and Congo, to name just a few.

I don't have the answer to all this. I agree with Accompong's point about not letting the small stuff bother you so much. Hassling is just, well, annoying. Don't confuse it with real crime. I was hassled a lot in 20 years of visiting Negril, but never really felt in danger. When I got mugged in Kingston, that was very different - quick and violent. Kingston felt a little scary. Keep your perspective - the guy in Negril saying "yu nah respect mi?" is not a danger and you don't need to pick a fight with him.

If you want sanitized/hassle-free, then go to one of those gated AI's, or go to Hawaii or something. I think people who repeatedly go to Negril like that likkle flavor of reality mixed in with their vacation. Which is cool.

Peace and love,

Richard

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Originally Posted by BoyMackie

How does one know which vendor has the proper documentation and licensing?

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Technical answer...
The licensed & legal vendors are required to wear a lanyard with their proper documentation.

So there's a post on FB that says the police took one of these despicable hustlers off the beach today. Whom is the hustler you ask? Norman. Yeah, Norman the patty man. WFT??

Yeah last year they were hassling Norman as well. Not sure what the issue is there but am sure there’s a story. Maybe he’s not “licensed”
Who’s next? Maybe Cortis the fruit lady in handcuffs!
Or Herman the musician stripped of his crutch and banished for his aggressive behaviour...
Attachment 54253

I’d like to know if there is confirmation of this.

Removing Norman from the beach is akin to taking locking up Santa Claus. The patties must be freed!

#FreeNorman #WeAreNorman :-)

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Technical answer...
The licensed & legal vendors are required to wear a lanyard with their proper documentation.

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Hi Lisa. A quick question for you. I understand why a guy like Norman or a woman like Cortis would require a license to vend as they sell food which could be a health and safety issue but would a guy like Herman the musician require one as well?

Just wondering. Thanks.

This is what happens when people are complaining instead of enjoying

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Originally Posted by Accompong

Hi Lisa. A quick question for you. I understand why a guy like Norman or a woman like Cortis would require a license to vend as they sell food which could be a health and safety issue but would a guy like Herman the musician require one as well?

Just wondering. Thanks.

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Yes, everyone who is making money, as in vending, is required to have a license...the government wants their cut.

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Originally Posted by Bnewb

Yes, everyone who is making money, as in vending, is required to have a license...the government wants their cut.

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Well dang. Can we submit a list of our fav vendors/higglers/hustlers/friends and get an exemption for them?

I don't intend to speak for others, but I love the vendors, look forward to seeing the regulars, love messing with the other characters up and down the beach. The ones that are good at their job make it fun. I've seen a little attitude, but not much. There is no welfare in Jamaica, and that has created a tremendous work ethic that should be admired. Some are really good at getting me to pull a little money out of my pocket. For me, it's all part of the Negril cool vibe experience, and is part of what keeps me coming back.

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Originally Posted by Tenn DD

Well dang. Can we submit a list of our fav vendors/higglers/hustlers/friends and get an exemption for them?

I don't intend to speak for others, but I love the vendors, look forward to seeing the regulars, love messing with the other characters up and down the beach. The ones that are good at their job make it fun. I've seen a little attitude, but not much. There is no welfare in Jamaica, and that has created a tremendous work ethic that should be admired. Some are really good at getting me to pull a little money out of my pocket. For me, it's all part of the Negril cool vibe experience, and is part of what keeps me coming back.

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Another option? Take that list and have everyone contribute to a fund to buy them a license to make them legal going forward. No matter how long that list of "fav vendors/higglers/hustlers/friends" is now, it will grow astronomically fast until it will be twice the population in no time once it gets out someone is paying for it.

And.... it will also grow astronomically fast for exemptions until no one will have to pay for a license. Dang. ;)

For all of you people that don’t want vendors on the beach don’t go to Negril go to St.Kitts. We went there last June. It’s beautiful but simply BORING with absolutely no characteristic. All I hear is people don’t want foreigners coming to the US and changing our ways. But it’s now OK to go to Jamaica and change their culture . Wow. Is is safe to take kids. Well I can’t wait to take my granddaughter next yr. she will be 2 yrs old.

I agree Miss Honey
The vendors are all part of the local colour and part of the reason I have been going to Negril for over 30 years.

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Originally Posted by Miss Honey

For all of you people that don’t want vendors on the beach don’t go to Negril go to St.Kitts. We went there last June. It’s beautiful but simply BORING with absolutely no characteristic. All I hear is people don’t want foreigners coming to the US and changing our ways. But it’s now OK to go to Jamaica and change their culture . Wow. Is is safe to take kids. Well I can’t wait to take my granddaughter next yr. she will be 2 yrs old.

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I don't see anywhere on here that people don't want vendors on the beach. That is hyperbole. We have to keep it in perspective that it is the Jamaicans who are passing these laws to restrict who doesn't sell and who does sell on the beach and this is not only meant for tourists but locals as well.

Locals don't want outsiders coming in and harassing tourists because that has a negative effect on their pocketbooks. Some here that have been going for decades to Jamaica remember a time when tourists rarely (if ever) were harassed or threatened in anyway. It has mainly become a worse problem with the proliferation of route taxis and robots that make it easy to live elsewhere and come to Negril to "work" the tourists. I believe the only reason that it hasn't gotten completely out of hand is that the locals "police" their numbers making it difficult for them to get a foothold. I further believe that if you open it up to anyone joining the beach scene to sell without some regulation, Negril will become a dangerous place to vacation as well as to live.

Although it is part of the Jamaican culture to become a higgler and colorfully sell and barter with locals as well as tourists, harassing and threatening is not. No one wants to change that culture. That is part of what makes Jamaica; Jamaica. As my departed best friend "Marshall" used to say, "Jamaicans can be very good but, when they are bad, they can be very bad".

Get the "good ones" licensed and regulated so a good standard is maintained going forward. If and when new people want to sell and higgle, make sure they get licensed and live up to that good standard. I don't think that is too much to ask and I think most locals would agree.

Just my opinion.

Accompong you are right. I started to respond this morning. This all just hit me wrong last night. I hate seeing hard working people put in the same category as the hustlers. They do need to get a consistent license program but one these folks can afford. They know who the hustlers are and they need to take care of that. I meant if you want a beach with no vendors you probably oughta go some where else. I sure hope they get this fixed. I hadn’t stayed on the beach since Jan 18. We actually had less interaction with hagglers this year.