Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?

[Jaherring]

What did I tell ya USC??....lol.

[uscgamecock]

What did I tell ya USC??....lol.

lol. Yes, Jaherring - definitely outnumbered. At least one person here understands what I'm saying...

I took a Carnival cruise 2 years ago that stopped at Ocho Rios. The cruise director warned people not to go past the gate at the port unless part of an organized tour. He said not to look the Jamaicans in the eye, because they will follow you and hassle/scare you into buying something. Didn't take his advice and went on our own to Dunn River Falls and found out why they tell people that on the ship. Think I'd rather walk around late at night in the scary part of Atlanta than do that again. Got into a shouting match and almost a fight with an idiot vendor who wouldn't leave my wife alone. Bought a video cd which was of some other day. Many people on the ship complaining about the same scam. The ship also stopped at Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. No vendors bothered us there at all. We went to Grand Cayman. Nobody bothered us there.

Jamaica has a bad reputation because of the obnoxious vendors and deservedly so.

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?

[David Bailey]

lol. Yes, Jaherring - definitely outnumbered. At least one person here understands what I'm saying...

I took a Carnival cruise 2 years ago that stopped at Ocho Rios. The cruise director warned people not to go past the gate at the port unless part of an organized tour. He said not to look the Jamaicans in the eye, because they will follow you and hassle/scare you into buying something. Didn't take his advice and went on our own to Dunn River Falls and found out why they tell people that on the ship. Think I'd rather walk around late at night in the scary part of Atlanta than do that again. Got into a shouting match and almost a fight with an idiot vendor who wouldn't leave my wife alone. Bought a video cd which was of some other day. Many people on the ship complaining about the same scam. The ship also stopped at Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. No vendors bothered us there at all. We went to Grand Cayman. Nobody bothered us there.

Jamaica has a bad reputation because of the obnoxious vendors and deservedly so.

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?

No offense but honestly that cruise ship director told you that to scare you into a tour that the ship benefits from. I stayed in Ochie right next to the cruise ship port and would watch as the ships come in and yes the vendors do come out of the wood work but you really need to know how to deal with people in a polite manner even if they are pissing you off, in Jamaica a simple "mi alright" 99% of the time will cool any vendors attempts to lighten you wallet, ask any member on this board. I spent a week in Ochie and walked the street even in downtown and never worried one bit about being hassled. I really think the first exchange of words with any vendor will set the tone so I always try to have the smile and a greeting and if it is something I do not want I use the "mi alright" with the fist bump followed by "respect" and maybe the thumb wrestle deal on the end and I walk away with "no problem, mon".

[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.