Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?

[seekingthesun]

I thought about a little sign I could hold up along with a smile.

[MissBlue]

brasi i just say that same thing "no thanks, i'm already taken care of"..... that's all that's necessary.
i can't understand why so many people, sitting on a public beach, feel that some friendly chat and simple communication with other human beings is some kind of "intrusion" into their private space. geeeeez it's a PUBLIC beach! Privacy is what one gets at a villa, a secluded cliffs property, or an A/I -- but the regular ol' public beach is for everyone .... the public is all over the place - LOL.

but - aside from my own personal POV on that -

i really don't think people did not 'accept' the OP's opinion. many of us said we understand how they felt, we know how it is.... and offered suggestions of trying another location or another type of accommodation, if it really bothered them that much.

the real point, though, is not that people are being defensive or anything like that - It's about giving the OP - in answer to their question - a better understanding of how things go down there, and what the REAL reason is, that there are so many vendors and higglers around. The thread title indicates that the OP arrived at an erroneous conclusion regarding vendors - it's not what they think.

So if they are actually seeking a real answer, so maybe next time they go they'll have a better understanding and won't be so annoyed - there were several provided as to what the real deal is with the beach vendors.

[Rob]

Manda,

I dont think anyone here has an issue with what the OP felt during their trip as we have all felt that in our own way. But to deal with these feelings by expressing them on a public message forum in a way that is condescending and condemns all Jamaicans is obviously offensive to many.

Living outside America for the better part of two decades now, I find it startling how many Americans dont understand other countries of the world, or even their neighboring countries for that matter. But for me to phrase my feelings as "Why are Americans so stupid when it comes to the world around them?" and post this on a public forum would not win me many positive comments from the American crowd. Not all Americans are like that - so the blanket statement proposed would not even be accurate in the first place. People reading that comment would be well within their right to point that out. Essentially, when you are posting something for the world to read, you need to keep in mind how your words will come off. This is not your private Facebook wall, but an international travel forum. There are ways of getting your point across without offending people.

The main issue that the OP seemed to have by the comments was when they were awoken on the beach by a vendor. There is no excuse for this behavior. Simply none. But I must ask again why blame all Jamaicans for this, why not complain about the property that allowed it? Most properties would never allow this to happen, so how has this become all Jamaicans fault and not the fault of a single property?

And the scammer concept that is prevalent in the OP's first comment does not seem to be based on facts according to their own words. Since the OP says they never gave any of the beach vendors a dime, how would they know if anyone was scamming them or not? To assume and then post for the world to read everyone you meet in Jamaica is scamming you is one of those comments that will obviously offend many and will be responded to in that manner.

The OP also stated that they didnt intend to single out just Americans, but nevertheless entitled their post "Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?". In addition to obviously singling out of American tourists, it does imply an "us vs. them" feeling from the outset. This will also tend to color how people respond to the post. If you post something with combative overtones in the first place, then it should not come as much surprise that some of the replies will come back that way.

And to call part of another culture "silly" as in "silly fist bump" is condescending at best. I am sure this line or even the attitude behind it did not win them many friends here on the board or in Jamaica for that matter.

It is one thing to not like something and state what you didnt like. No one here has any problems with that. Nothing in this world is perfect and we all know that. But if you choose to state your dislikes in a way that is confusing, combative and condescending, then it should come as no surprise if the replies are less than favorable.

[Rob]

Brasi,

Believe it or not, they already have that t-shirt available in Negril - check out nearly any of the t-shirt vendors and ask if they have that t-shirt!

[brasi]

Awesome Rob!

I want to point out that someone posted "A walk on the Negril beach, with the right attitude, is an adventure."

After thinking about this: I wholeheartedly agree. It is rare that I've walked down the beach and been bothered after saying a firm "no thanks." Smile, walk by, hold your hand up and say "respect, I'm good."

I think part of the problem and annoyance for SOME is the repeated attempts. It can even get to ME after awhile.

But I'll never go Gated AI again, and I will always walk down that beach (until I can't anymore).

It's Negril and I LOOOOOOOOOOVE it.

[Manda81]

alright.

[original spanky]

i went to aruba last year just to try something different. they are amazingly tourist friendly and no one tried to sell you anything. i had to search everywhere just to find any ganga. i found it very boring. give me the 7 mile meach with the higglers anytime. if you don't like it find a hotel that will keep them away.

[Aimbri]

Hanging around Negril is what I want to do any chance I can. Bloody Bay, Seven Mile, The Cliffs.. it's all good.

[Buff]

Brasi - I was just about to say their would be a niche in the market for the t shirt you mentioned until Rob said it had already been done.

I remember my first time at the craft market, I came out with lots of things I dint want or need just because I couldn't say 'no' . Now I can quite happily spend the afternoon there without spending anything so i
n defence of the OP maybe this is something that comes with returns trips and experience ?

[Maryann]

Manda, your post is very insightful. Negril is a really special place to most here, though, and you will "get " why people are so defensive once you go. "Once you go, you know." I've had one bad experience with a vendor, a lady who gives massages on the beach. Was walking along and she ran up and tried massaging me. Could barely get her hands off. Then she started demanding money for the massage that she gave me, which was not a massage but me peeling her hands off my back. Finally I just hauled ass down the beach and got away from her because she was bigger and I could run faster. It was a little intimidating, to say the least.