Help! Beach hustlers ruining Negril beach experience

I've been to Negril in 2014 and this is my son's first experience. We are finding some of the beach vendors to be quite aggressive and difficult to shake off, even with a polite "No thank you." I don't recall it being this bad in 2014. I have received advice from the guard at my hotel to say "No I'm not interested" multiple times without emotion because hustlers will be persistent. We would like to hear others' experiences and how you've dealt with it, and if it's worse since fewer tourists are around due to Covid. My son says this:

We felt unsafe one time after we refused to give a hustler money. This person started "talking us up", acting like a friendly local man. He asked us where we were from, how long we were staying, and proclaimed himself a "king of the beach"-- "if you got any problems with guys on the beach you come to me 'mon". After what seemed like a friendly conversation, he then tried selling us handmade bracelets. After clearly saying, "No, we are not interested in buying anything", he handed them to us and said he would give them as a gift. He placed the bracelet directly in my hand and then asked for a donation. I did not have any money to give, and after politely denying his offer a second time the man's entire attitude changed. He stared at us glaringly and I could feel his anger. Afterwards he started following us as we continued our walk and I thought he was stomping and cursing on our footsteps in the sand. I was immediately worried and grabbed my mother closely and let him walk by us. He turned around and glared at us again while I stared back. I felt incredibly uncomfortable and unsafe.

Because of this experience, my naivety about the essential goodness of people was soon destroyed after this vendor betrayed my polite feelings towards him and showed anger after we did not accept the bracelets. Although this was the only time I felt unsafe, I have had multiple other instances where I make it clear to the beach vendors than I am not interested, but they persist in talking to me. It creates an incredibly uncomfortable atmosphere and disturbs my peace and quiet on the beach.

Any advice as to what we could do better to handle these situations? What should we do if we feel unsafe?
Thanks in advance.

One bad apple does not ruin the rest of the fruit on the tree. We have not reached since just before Covid, so have no experience with current behaviors. Prior, however, there has been once or twice that a hustler was overly persistent. After a while, he left us alone and went on to someone or something else. Don't judge the rest of the Jamaican people by that bad apple.

I have been in the minority on this board for years now when it comes to these situations. I love visiting JA along with several countries, but the aggressive nature of people in JA, in general, has put me off from visiting more. A lot of people on this board shrug it off, no worries, but I find it disturbing. I had an interaction with a gentleman once, he wanted to "talk" to me, I gave a polite no thanks (keep in mind he was on the other side of the street) and then he went on about "respect." So I walked over, he asked for money, I gave a polite no, then more talk about "respect." JA is a beautiful place, amazing culture, and some really fantastic people. But the aggressiveness turns me off.

One of the reasons we stay on the cliffs is because there are very few hustlers. For the most part they are not welcome at the hotels. While on the beach I have used a couple of lines that worked (and both are true). When offered weed I tell them I am a Christian and don't smoke. I have yet to have them offer a second time. A little funnier: when constantly asked for a massage I told them my wife gives me a message, and she does it topless. They couldn't compete with that one either. I know neither instance is not the same as you experienced and am sorry that a few bad apples ruined your time in Negril.
Regards,
Bob

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Originally Posted by DianeMH

I've been to Negril in 2014 and this is my son's first experience. We are finding some of the beach vendors to be quite aggressive and difficult to shake off, even with a polite "No thank you." I don't recall it being this bad in 2014. I have received advice from the guard at my hotel to say "No I'm not interested" multiple times without emotion because hustlers will be persistent. We would like to hear others' experiences and how you've dealt with it, and if it's worse since fewer tourists are around due to Covid. My son says this:

We felt unsafe one time after we refused to give a hustler money. This person started "talking us up", acting like a friendly local man. He asked us where we were from, how long we were staying, and proclaimed himself a "king of the beach"-- "if you got any problems with guys on the beach you come to me 'mon". After what seemed like a friendly conversation, he then tried selling us handmade bracelets. After clearly saying, "No, we are not interested in buying anything", he handed them to us and said he would give them as a gift. He placed the bracelet directly in my hand and then asked for a donation. I did not have any money to give, and after politely denying his offer a second time the man's entire attitude changed. He stared at us glaringly and I could feel his anger. Afterwards he started following us as we continued our walk and I thought he was stomping and cursing on our footsteps in the sand. I was immediately worried and grabbed my mother closely and let him walk by us. He turned around and glared at us again while I stared back. I felt incredibly uncomfortable and unsafe.

Because of this experience, my naivety about the essential goodness of people was soon destroyed after this vendor betrayed my polite feelings towards him and showed anger after we did not accept the bracelets. Although this was the only time I felt unsafe, I have had multiple other instances where I make it clear to the beach vendors than I am not interested, but they persist in talking to me. It creates an incredibly uncomfortable atmosphere and disturbs my peace and quiet on the beach.

Any advice as to what we could do better to handle these situations? What should we do if we feel unsafe?
Thanks in advance.

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This unfortunately is the reality of being a local and having the need to survive off of the tourists. However, the aggression he displayed was out of line. I come from a blended Caribbean family (Jamaican/Guyanese/Trinidadian/Panamanian) and even this behavior sometimes gets on my nerves. I have compassion for their situation and when I do have cash to afford to give.. I do, but sometimes you have to be just as straight forward with them and show no fear. Let them know that "I have no money to give" or "I have no cash on me". Sometimes I will even say "Do you take credit cards, cuz I have no money." In the end, no matter how aggressive they appear, they are just trying to survive and mean no harm. Some may be intoxicated and the alcohol is what you are experiencing.. still no excuse.

Simply look around and find another Jamaican who is working a real job on the beach, even if they just have a souvenir table with a blue tarp it will work , tell the working Jamaican that the Hagler will not leave you alone and if they have any suggestions for you to get rid of him. That’s all it takes the Hagler will leave embarrassed, and the people that actually have jobs on the beach don’t want that to ruin anyone’s day so they have sympathy for you too.

Great information, observations & advice All!

I'm sure every long time visitor to Negril has experienced the bracelet on the wrist hustle. I have at least 10 or 15 bracelets so I wasn't very good at saying no back in the day. As you now know don't let them put anything in your hands. If they get angry so what. It's uncomfortable but just keep walking.

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Originally Posted by TuffGong

I have been in the minority on this board for years now when it comes to these situations. I love visiting JA along with several countries, but the aggressive nature of people in JA, in general, has put me off from visiting more. A lot of people on this board shrug it off, no worries, but I find it disturbing. I had an interaction with a gentleman once, he wanted to "talk" to me, I gave a polite no thanks (keep in mind he was on the other side of the street) and then he went on about "respect." So I walked over, he asked for money, I gave a polite no, then more talk about "respect." JA is a beautiful place, amazing culture, and some really fantastic people. But the aggressiveness turns me off.

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Serious dude. Put you off from visiting Negril more. Where are you going to go. The bracelet scam has been going on for years and here's the problem, it's every where! Check out You Tube and quire the top ten scams in ???? (any where USA, Canada, Italy, Great Brittan, The Vatican), and you'll find the bracelet scam, the 3 card Monte scam, or even "it my birthday today". Man, we were in Kingston a few weeks ago and had the windshield wash so many time times I lost count, but never paid one Jamaica penny. You can't let it bother you. A polite no thank you and if it persist, then "no thank you" but louder, and then louder until the message is heard. The young fruit guys on the beach are the worst but after YELLING no thank you for the fourth time the one dealing with us finally walked away. Next day I saw him on the road and just asked "how was your day", from then on he just smiles at us and walks on bye. You just can't let it bother you. Short of going to your local YMCA, where are you going to go??

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Originally Posted by Nancy Marie

I'm sure every long time visitor to Negril has experienced the bracelet on the wrist hustle. I have at least 10 or 15 bracelets so I wasn't very good at saying no back in the day. As you now know don't let them put anything in your hands. If they get angry so what. It's uncomfortable but just keep walking.

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And then that bracelet becomes a sign that you're either generous, can't say no, or a sucker, and attracts even more unwanted solicitors.
Don't say you don't have money. They will just find you later in the day or the next.

And DON'T tell them where you are staying or for how long. One bad thing about the resorts that make you wear a wrist band is that everyone knows which resort you are staying

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Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

And DON'T tell them where you are staying or for how long. One bad thing about the resorts that make you wear a wrist band is that everyone knows which resort you are staying

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Very true. No personal info at all beyond first name. No matter where I stay, I'm always staying "down the beach"

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Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

And DON'T tell them where you are staying or for how long. One bad thing about the resorts that make you wear a wrist band is that everyone knows which resort you are staying

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Yeah, I always take off my wrist band immediately when at White Sands because everyone on the beach knows their wrist band color (the WS staff knows who you are within an hour of arrival anyways and you can always show the security your room key as ID). One thing that I always do is wear a Jamaican ankle bracelet I bought a few years ago, so if someone approaches me I just tell them that I already got mine. I'm not into the Ganga so I just tell them that I only drink Stripes and if they persist, I also tell them that I get drug tested for work (both which are true anyways). That all said, I do enjoy buying things occasionally from the beach vendors (I've bought different food and even some art).

Getting approached on the beach is certainly one of the downsides of visiting Negril. There are countless upsides. There is solid advice in this thread that I have used over time that has helped to deal with the situation. One other strategy that my wife and I use is walking at a fast pace and with purpose when cruising the beach. It's not much unlike the "culling of the heard" principal, the slow movers are easier prey. One of these days, age will catch up with us and we will need a new strategy!

My husband even gets hassled sometimes and he’s from there lol. Usually once he starts talking they leave us alone.

I offer to sell ganja to the guys that ask me if I want any, usually good for a laugh for both of us. I'm not selling anything but they get the point that I have what I need.

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Originally Posted by Homebrewer

I offer to sell ganja to the guys that ask me if I want any, usually good for a laugh for both of us. I'm not selling anything but they get the point that I have what I need.

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I thought I was the only one that did that,,, LOL I try to sell them what they are selling me...

We just returned from Negril about a week ago, I didn't find the beach vendors any more aggressive than in the past. There are definitely less tourists on the beach than in previous trips, so I think you are more of a target. I always buy a bracelet or two just as a good faith purchase, and I will look at crafts etc. as I walk by or that I have promised to return to. I tell the Ganja guys that I already have what I need, that seems to work most times. Looking doesn't cost anything, just don't let anyone hand you anything. I did see some outright begging this year and I tried to give a little bit if I could, times are tough. Once you say no a couple of times, to the regular sellers they will not bother you (as much) :)

I'm glad to see this thread hasn't devolved into the usual characters claiming that it must be you if you're being hassled on the beach. I always shake my head when people try to gaslight those who want to talk about this. The hassle is real, and even for those who know the runnings and know how to play the game, once in a while you end up dealing with someone who isn't trying to take no for an answer and wants to get aggressive.

I'll still walk the beach, but for the most part my wife will stay at the hotel while I go wander around and have my fun. It's just not worth those uncomfortable moments for her.

If someone is trying to teach you about Jamaican "Respect" because you aren't interested in having a conversation with them or spending/giving money, they are the ones who are lacking in respect.

I take the good with the bad, and have found enough that I like about Negril that I keep coming back. However, there are many who will not, or who will never leave the AI's.

But otherwise, good tips here.

No need to share where you are staying, or for how long. You'd be surprised how much crime happens on the last night, when you'll need to get home and there will be little to no time to involve the police.

Don't wear a bracelet or anything else that identifies where you are staying.

Don't shake hands, fist bump. That way you don't accidentally end up with a bracelet or something else in your hand that you now have to haggle over.

Never say "maybe later", because they will remember and remind you that it's later and you said you'd buy something.

That person who is super friendly and "remembers you"? That's a scam. They don't know you and want something.

If someone tries to insist you have to buy them a beer, don't do it. Now you're a mark and they know you'll buy to make them go away.

Always ask how much before accepting anything. Food, a cab ride, a tour, anything. Negotiate first!

Carry small bills. I have been at bars, watching them take in small bills all day, then suddenly when I have a 1000 or 5000 bill they have no change. It's BS to get you to order more / leave a larger tip.