Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?

[RockRobster]

I come to Jamaica to relax on the beautiful beach, not to buy worthless trinkets and illegal drugs from obnoxious hustlers who won't leave you alone and have difficulty taking a polite NO for an answer. Think I'll stick to the all-inclusive resorts from now on and never go outside the gate.... Then the locals won't get any of the grand or so spending money that I normally drop while on a week's vacation...

But, alas... no one has really answered my question yet. Why to Jamaicans think that tourists (Americans, Canadians, Germans, or wherever) always need something when we're on their beach?

Wow. OK, I am going to try and be positive here.

USC, if you want an "exclusive" vacation, then an AI is what you need. "Exclusive" as in "all locals except employees are excluded". But, I believe JA beaches are public up to the high-water mark, so there's no "guarantee". However, AI's on Bloody Bay and in more remote locales have no beach vendors. AI's aren't for everyone, but you seem to be their poster child. You can even do all of your shopping there! Like a cruise ship on the beach! Now that you know what you want, it is going to be all good in the future! JA has some AMAZING AI's with the Couples properties really top shelf in every respect. You seem to like cruising, so AI's are going to be the thing for you.

My second response has to do with your misconception of what is going on with vendors.

They don't "think" you need anything. That is why they ask you if you need what they are selling. If you don't need it, they won't keep after you, usually. How do they know that you know what they are selling? How do they know you won't want what they are selling? They have to tell you what they are selling and see if they can make a sale. That is their business. They have to find someone that DOES want what they vend. For us, we like to get vended on the beach by the patty guy, the jerk pork guy, the baked goods guy, the pineapple lady, and the lobster guy, if it is in season and its early in the day and the bugs are still quite hot.

We don't like to get higgled for weed, blow, viagara, vicodins, xanax or any other drug, but a shake of the head and a "no way mon, I don't do drugs EVER" or a "got what I need and got no more money" seem to work well in those situations. YMMV.

So, USC, now that you know, you can go! Check out Couples, you won't be disappointed.

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

But, alas... no one has really answered my question yet. Why to Jamaicans think that tourists (Americans, Canadians, Germans, or wherever) always need something when we're on their beach?

To answer your question directly - because many times they are right that many of us do want to buy something from some of them.

On a day when the sand-gravity is particularly strong, I actually ask the beach guard that if I miss them, to please send Neville the Patty Man, or the Fruit Lady, over to me. Granted, those are 2 of the few who do the beach selling right - they come by announcing to everyone that they are there, but not butting in to anyone's privacy. But I don't mind looking at what some of the others walking by my beach spot are trying to sell.

I agree it can get annoying being approached every five minutes when you are walking the beach - and it took me a few trips to figure out how to deal with it. Basically, it comes down to YOU having the right attitude - noone can ruin your day if you don't let them. Just stay positive, say you don't need anything if you don't want to be bothered at that moment, but with a smile and in a friendly manner. Believe me, after a short time they will remember you and know you are not a good prospect to waste their time on.

But maybe you could try another approach. Since you ARE on vacation and have some time, actually go into a few of the craft stalls during your walk and chat with them. If they can talk knowledgably about making their crafts, and have several in various stages of being made - you can be assured it's not wholesale stuff but is what they do for a living. How do you think so many of us on here got to be friends with many of the locals - we actually took the time to meet them - even if we didn't buy something from them. THAT is why so many of us keep coming back. But I agree it's not for everyone, and you certainly are entitled to your opinion - as are we to disagree.

And, like most others have said, I do disagree about calling them "scammers" - they are "hagglers". If you manage to haggle a 1/2 hour on a jet ski for $35, while I paid $40, was I scammed? I would not call it that, you were just a better negotiator. If you do think that, then the airlines are scamming everyone except the few who got their seats at the lowest discount price - their prices fluctuate daily, if not hourly. The same with hotels and concerts and sporting events, etc. There are a few trying to actually cheat you outright - which is what I would limit to calling a scam - but only a very few.

[RyanP]

It was a little startling with the drug dealers and annoying with the vendors when we first arrived for our first trip to Negril back in April. You need to understand that you have the money, so you have the power. Those guys selling things are just trying to make a living. The sooner you get used to and understand that in Negril, the better. Yes, I had to deal with them all week, but eventually you figure out how to respectfully say, "No". Going to Negril was one the best trips I've ever taken. If you want to go to the beach, and be left alone all week, Negri's not your place.

[gerryg123]

OK, i can answer the question: It's based on probability and outcome ..... The locals figure the average tourist spends seven days in Jamaica, so by that theory, one out seven would be a new arrival -- and BAM, there's your best chance to make a sale or whatever ....

[NKY]

Try saying no thank you with a smile on your face and a little empathy in your heart. Realize that you are not a target, but an opportunity to make a buck in a place where opportunity is hard to find. Nothing personal.

Just the fact that you have been blessed with the good fortune to travel to their country and see that life in Jamaica isn't that easy should allow you to have at least some sympathy for the people you feel are targeting you.

[Living_the_Dream]

Hi uscgamecock,

Normally I would not jump in on a thread like this, Please don't hold the opinions you see here offend you as all the boardies are basically good people they just fell strongly about any negative comment about a place we all love.

For the most part i agree with you and when i first read your comments I thought wow this person will get blasted for this. I think all of us who make multiple trips to Jamaica have found some connection to the Island we love and thinks we don't but the good always outweighs what we don't like.

You have to keep in mind most of the people on here love jamaica unconditionally kind of the way a dog will love you. Dogs don't measure love by what you have but for who you are and how you treat them.

Your comments remind me of a post I have made over restaurants and politics. I and not a restaurant critic and I have some places I absolutely love on west end and there are others people rave about that Mary, Myself and our friends have visited on several occasions because of reviews on here and thought to our selves they must have smoked a lot of Ganga to thinking this was great food. if anyone wants my favorite list and review of west end restaurants i will send you a copy, it has food quality along with value for price, our favorites may surprise you.

Anyway thanks for saying what many of us feel but wont say in fear or rocking the boat.

79 days before we make our 18 trip to Negril !!!!

Timm ( Don't Tread On Me }

[Jamerican71]

Hi uscgamecock,

Normally I would not jump in on a thread like this, Please don't hold the opinions you see here offend you as all the boardies are basically good people they just fell strongly about any negative comment about a place we all love.

For the most part i agree with you and when i first read your comments I thought wow this person will get blasted for this. I think all of us who make multiple trips to Jamaica have found some connection to the Island we love and thinks we don't but the good always outweighs what we don't like.

You have to keep in mind most of the people on here love jamaica unconditionally kind of the way a dog will love you. Dogs don't measure love by what you have but for who you are and how you treat them.

Your comments remind me of a post I have made over restaurants and politics. I and not a restaurant critic and I have some places I absolutely love on west end and there are others people rave about that Mary, Myself and our friends have visited on several occasions because of reviews on here and thought to our selves they must have smoked a lot of Ganga to thinking this was great food. if anyone wants my favorite list and review of west end restaurants i will send you a copy, it has food quality along with value for price, our favorites may surprise you.

Anyway thanks for saying what many of us feel but wont say in fear or rocking the boat.

79 days before we make our 18 trip to Negril !!!!

Timm ( Don't Tread On Me }

Well said!

Can you send me the list please?

[Craig123]

Hi uscgamecock,

if anyone wants my favorite list and review of west end restaurants i will send you a copy, it has food quality along with value for price, our favorites may surprise you.


Timm ( Don't Tread On Me }

Interested in your restaurant list. Can you please post in excel format on the board. If not please PM me. Thanks in advance.

[meinvancouver]

Interested in your restaurant list. Can you please post in excel format on the board. If not please PM me. Thanks in advance.

He already did post it here;

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...nly-my-opinion

[Clarity]

Manda- I've been following this thread too. I don't agree with the opinions of the person who started the thread but I agree that everyone is entitled to express their feelings.

Don't feel like you have to hold back in your trip report. I certainly didn't. I wrote about my honest impressions, good, bad and everything inbetween. No one is going to blast you for it. trust me. Your insights and opinions will be appreciated. I'm really looking forward to reading your impressions after your first trip to Negril!

Okay, Granted...

if you write that the beach is "filled with fools that you wont give a dime to because they annoy you" and say "the beaches of Jamaica are like the internet...full of annoying spam" you might not receive the most favorable response. That certainly did not sit well with me either.

They're just trying to make a living selling their fruit, crafts..etc. I personally enjoyed all the interesting interactions with vendors. This is part of what made our vacation so unique and memorable. If you're not interested, a simple "no thanks" works. Some are more persistant than others. Like that crazy massage lady that chased Maryann! but that's really not a common thing. Nothing like that has happened to me yet. Although I agree, that would certainly make for an amusing story to share in my trip report if it did! lol