Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?

[Living_the_Dream]

Say something last year on the beach, a couple was walking along and every time someone started higgling them they pulled out there whistle and started blowing it. It was funny the different reactions.

not saying it was right or wrong just funny!!

[rompcherry]

Some of these comments bring tears to my eyes. I just wish there was a food bank or something in Negril .. can't feed the world but.. the people on the beach are in the hot sun all day, trying to make enough $$ for some basic food and may only end up with "dumplings" again tonight and tomorrow. I wonder what it's like for some of these people watching everyone eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the various restaurants on the beach, wondering why? I've often gone to buy a couple of patties and give them to some of the older fellas who you know may be hungry or may go and sell it from a little cash. I'm just so worried about some of the drug addicts .. it must be a terrible circle for them. This is a strong culture and people who often have little food and word so hard .. I could not imagine. I have been to the hills with friends who have no electric and no running water .. it is amazing how they go about their day, with great strength and a smile always on their face .. a million dollar view and they are thankful and happy for the little they have.See you in August.

[rompcherry]

typos lol sorry. have to get to that nail place in Negril so I can type better :-(

[garysteph1018]

That's a Gamecock fan for you... They can't help it!

[Rob]

Rob....let me be the first? to observe that you all too frequently rush to defense of anything Negril, when you should try understand both sides. I realize that you have a need to be a mouthpiece for the Chamber...but the originator of this thread was making some very legitimate points...to which, unfortunately, there is no solution. Many visitors,, even the seasoned Negrilite, often becomes frustrated with the over the top higgling.......

Over the years, not much progress has been made in 1) educating the local population as to what is and is not in their best interests, and 2) on a much broader scale, dealing with the inappropriate harrassment....

Ed,

Being born American and living my first 31+ years in America and subsequently living for the last 20 years or so in Jamaica puts me in a very unique position to clearly see both sides of this issue. I understand this far better than you may assume. My comments to the original poster were derived precisely from being able to clearly see both of these sides.

My comments were my own and only my own - not dictated by anyone or anything other than the desire to help others to understand what their frustration may be preventing them from understanding. I am not in the employ nor take direction from the Negril Chamber of Commerce. Your speculation that I need to be a mouthpiece for the Chamber is incorrect. You are mistaken. The Negril Chamber is fully able to speak for themselves on this forum, and have done so in the past.

While you may feel that there has not been much progress, I feel that you are misinformed about this as well. You must not be aware of the local school programs for the primary and secondary students to educate students about tourism and how it impacts their future and the Jamaican as well as Caribbean economy. You must also be unaware of the JTB tourism education classes required for tourism permit holders. Add in the fact that the highly visible "Courtesy Corp" now patrol the resort areas with uniformed police allows anyone who is informed to see that the Jamaican government is knowingly working on the inappropriate tourist harassment.

Is there still room for improvement in the harassment issue? Of course there is. But although you may personally be frustrated, there is no need to post your incorrect speculations as fact. Being frustrated is no excuse to throw the truth as well as common sense out the window...

Rob,
I'm going to cancel my next two trips unless you can guarantee me that before I arrive that you have reached out to and trained every single higgler in Negril on how to interact with all visitors. Can you make this happen? I need to know as I do not want to lose my deposits.

Oh, and how can I forget the need for sidewalks on the West End. I know with the relationships that you have built over the last 20 years that you can make this happen. Problem is, around 5 PM or so I have simply partake'd way too much and I become a hazard while walking the road to all motorist whom are driving.

Oh, can you get someone to deal with the Lionfish. A lot of us out there are deathly afraid of these little buggers and we need to wipe them out quickly. Maybe a daily fish fry where it's buy one lion fish get one free?

And one last thing, stop defending Negril. If it wasn't for guys like you I would have never come. And now that I have found it and love it I do not want anyone to book my favorite rooms when I want to use them.

Booger,

I will get right on that.... (grin)

[Misti1]

If you dont want to buy from the beach vendors that is fine... totally your decision. But I think it might be a bit harsh to refer to them as scammers and fools. They are vendors and business people and aside from the people selling drugs/prostitution, they are not doing anything illegal and are trying to make a living.

Thank you for saying that, the use of that term bothered me as well.

[ed kennedy]

despite the programs that you cite, and the "policemen" that you count, it is clear that the aggressiveness has increased rather than decreased......

Ed,

Being born American and living my first 31+ years in America and subsequently living for the last 20 years or so in Jamaica puts me in a very unique position to clearly see both sides of this issue. I understand this far better than you may assume. My comments to the original poster were derived precisely from being able to clearly see both of these sides.

My comments were my own and only my own - not dictated by anyone or anything other than the desire to help others to understand what their frustration may be preventing them from understanding. I am not in the employ nor take direction from the Negril Chamber of Commerce. Your speculation that I need to be a mouthpiece for the Chamber is incorrect. You are mistaken. The Negril Chamber is fully able to speak for themselves on this forum, and have done so in the past.

While you may feel that there has not been much progress, I feel that you are misinformed about this as well. You must not be aware of the local school programs for the primary and secondary students to educate students about tourism and how it impacts their future and the Jamaican as well as Caribbean economy. You must also be unaware of the JTB tourism education classes required for tourism permit holders. Add in the fact that the highly visible "Courtesy Corp" now patrol the resort areas with uniformed police allows anyone who is informed to see that the Jamaican government is knowingly working on the inappropriate tourist harassment.

Is there still room for improvement in the harassment issue? Of course there is. But although you may personally be frustrated, there is no need to post your incorrect speculations as fact. Being frustrated is no excuse to throw the truth as well as common sense out the window...



Booger,

I will get right on that.... (grin)

[Misti1]

I personally could not stand the constant barrage of higglers either. So I hopped in a route taxi and went back to the West End. The West End still has some higglers, but they would leave you alone after a polite "no thanks". I did however meet some interesting folks down on the beach, it was just the several folks that wouldn't take no for an answer. I also had an issue with a guy selling juice who tried to short me on my change. The guard at the resort called him out on it and he gave me back the correct change.
My next trip I'm going to give the beach another shot as I thoroughly enjoy bar hopping.

One of the worst approaches and darn near knock down drag out fight I ever had in Negril happened on West End at 3 Dives. To each his own, also had a bad experience at Mi Yard.

[Misti1]

I have considered taking a white tee shirt, writing on it, and wearing it on 7-mile walks.

It would say "No thanks mon, mi all set. Respect!!"

Not sure how that would go over...haha.

Go ahead and do it , and someone is going to ask you if you need a special roots NATURAL detergent so you can wash your shirt out in the sink to wear tomorrow mon. LOL

[Misti1]

My response worked this past trip, because it is true, as much as I am there if someone still tries to sell me the stuff I say "You must be new here?" They look startled and oddly enough start explain that they ARE new on the beach. So I say ok remember the face and I'm a tour guide so would YOU like to go on tour with me??? We both usually have a good laugh. The next day the only reason that person will hail me up is to say hello. These days the most I get on the beach is a "You Bok Mon"...or "Welcome home"