lolOriginally Posted by Mr. Twister
lol
We love the vibe in Negril. The people, the music and the freedom. The amount of poverty there is terrible. However, one of the reasons we go is because by leaving behind our tourist dollars, we are helping the locals. Our friend Kingsley shared with us how different things were when he was growing up in Negril before tourism. It wasn't a pretty story.
If I wish to buy something, I will haggle just a bit...it's all part of the vibe. However, I will never be disrespectful to them by offering a grossly undervalued amount. Everyone is trying to make a living and I respect that. However, by the same token, I work for a living too and spend plenty while I am there and I wish to just be able to say once, "No thank you" and be left alone. Respect. I respect that you are trying to make a living and I wish I would be respected when I politely say, "No thank you".
Did the beach stroll once and I was disappointed that I was not able to leisurely stroll with my hubby and just take in the sun, sand and water without keeping my head down in order not to make eye contact and be hassled.
We have been 6 times in 2-1/2 years and always stay on the cliffs. But our last visit was 2 weeks split among Catcha and Banana Shout. Couldn't walk out the gate to simply stroll down to Out of Town Pastry for a patty without being hassled so many times. Never did get our patties...ending up catching one of the cabs and heading back to Catcha.
Whenever I hear Reggae music and think of our friends there: Kingsley, Miss Delsie, Milo, Marianne, Champion, etc. it saddens me that we have no desire to go back any time soon because of not being able to just enjoy the location without the constant hassle.
Went to the Abaco's (out islands of the bahamas) last month and in January will be staying on St. Thomas. Maybe after a few different places, our minds will want to go back to where our heart loves...Negril.
I don't mind the beach vendors at all. As someone up thread said, there not standing there holding a sign looking for a hand out. We have a lot of panhandlers in Austin, if your stopped at a stoplight, any stoplight chances are there is a new sign to read. I respect folks that do whatever they can to provide for themselves and their families. A smile and no thank you is all that I've ever had to do.
Awaiting our return to Negril, 07/01/12
WOW ... this be a mercurial thread, mon! Such an education for a newb like mi.
Steph, don't let anyone hand you anything. That's the best way to avoid any arising problems. I have always been friendly, but I just use a "No thank you!" with a smile and keep walking. I don't stop, I don't let myself be called over to anyone...unless I am specifically looking to buy something. Last trip with our ten year old, I kept pushing over and over to her not to let anyone give her anything. Well, a guy selling bracelets walked up to her and was talking to her. I saw him put the bracelet in her hand so I rushed over and said, "My child has to do what her mother says and she doesn't have any money! They are beautiful, but no thanks!" What could he say with that? He knew that Mama was her boss, lol.
Bottom line, they are there. They aren't going anywhere. That's how they make their dollars. You don't have to stay while they are trying to get you to buy something. You can say no thanks and walk away. They certainly don't ruin my good time!
Thanks Steph, back atcha! Have a pretty good idea of how you're doing LOL, look at your ticker!!!
What Tfw said is spot on...some will try to tie a bracelet on your rist (and they are quick!) LOL. But then again, this last trip while I was on the beach, one of the guys I had been chattin up went to tie one on my wrist and I did the back away and "no but thank you" routine and he said...."what you cant recieve my gift?"He gave me and Sandie bracelets and we still got em on. Super sweet guy. So...ya know
Honestly, as many others have said, I enjoy interacting with locals on the beach whether they are trying to hustle me or not. Some more than others hahahaha The only other thing I would say be on gaurd for would be the aloe ladies, lol. My first trip it really tripped me out when a woman walked up and started trying to rub aloe on me, totally unsolicited. She was pretty persistent but that was really the only time I've ever got even kindof irritated.
Stir IT UP
Haha Tizzy- they always come after me too saying "Look at your skin. It's terrible. You need aloe!".
Mo, that's so funny. I'm always like....what do you mean?? My skin doesnt burn?!?! No...just NO. lol
Stir IT UP
Damn. I actually like the aloe ladies. I am a ginger and I burn easily. Aloe massage = awesome.
I think a lot of the negative opinions in general are from tourists who just were never prepared or aware that this sales pitching goes on.
I admit the first time it happened to me I was like WHOA ,Where I live the only people standing in a street selling something would be a salesperson outside a concert venue just holding glow sticks or glow in the dark glasses or novelties and then they just stand there,
YOU approach them they never approach YOU.
We are quite reserved here in England we do not say hello to strangers in the street and we do not approach anyone with goods for sale except in a shop or market stall .
So you can imagine my shock when I took a 2 minute stroll down the beach assuming it would be like a 2 minute stroll at home,I walk I speak to nobody and go about my day.
WRONG
I walked, about 4 different people stopped me within only 2 small hotels distance away,(next door to each other) and then there was the time when a group of men was walking around me and at home if a group of guys come around you like that it pretty much means you are in big trouble.So I guess the first time is a bit scarey.
But I am inquisitive and I could see they did not want to harm me, so then I wanted to know what they had for sale and how much it cost.
Now I buy anything I need from the guys on the beach, sometimes they give me an item or two free if I did a good deal with them and some know what kind of things I like without me asking now.
They are salesmen and woman that is their job, their living, and a few people purchasing a few items at a few hundred dollars can make their families day seem a whole lot brighter.And it is unfair to look at them as annoyances and scammers as they live in a place where most wages are very low and if I was in their position and could buy some items wholesale or I had a talent and new xxxx amount of millions of tourists were about to land in my town this year then hell yeah I would get up in a morning and try to sell them my wares.
Some people just do not like strangers contacting them in any way at all and thats fine but if that is you it is a lot simpler to advise security at your hotel of this and they will simply tell the salesmen not to bother you and keep them moving along.
They can be quite frightening if you never knew it was there your first time but now, I like to stroll the beach after a night out and have some fresh squeezed orange juice and then buy from the patty man and maybe a few mix cds to listen to in my room and a bracelet or an ankle bracelet.Sometimes I just like to buy a bit of everything and sometimes I like to buy NOTHING.
I have walked that beach so many times I have lost count, I spent over a month there just a few months back daily walking down the beach and sometimes with my children.
The only one time someone was bugging me a few years back was when a man thought I should buy him a drink, I did not like the way he was demanding plus the fact I only had enough cash on me to have a quick tipple before my evening meal for myself and NO-ONE interferes with my party fund! he got quite annoying but the bar tender told him to move from the property there was no hard feelings though, next time I saw the man he offered his hand in marriage which I kindly declined and said I'm still not buying you a drink , we both laughed and he no longer asks for anything.
I treat people how they treat me so if they are being nice to me I treat them the same way if I get prodded awake by someone for a sale I would tell them thats rude and I will speak to them when I am ready not half asleep.
Newbies will get used to it.Do not be frightened they are just wanting a sale and their items for sale are pretty good and pretty low priced and the patties are delicious and just go with the flow, if it is not your thing, just tell security .Simple.
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