Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?

[phineasfreakears]

I love yakking it up with the vendors, be it on the beach or the west end road. Some rcognize me, some do not. Usually when they find out you have all you need, and you have been there, done that, the conversation turns to a wha-gwan tone. Soon the word is out that you are a Jamerican, and you have less and less sales pitches. Try to put yourself in their sandals, money is scarce.
Respect is given when respect is received, no matter where you vacation, or the nationality of the vacationer.
Peace to all, Jah bless!!

[Ann Theresa]

Read all the threads....Love Jamaica. Not as much a veteran as many here, but have been there a few times. My family first went to the FDR, a very secure family AI....loved it so much we went back twice. Our third trip, kids a little older, thought Negril would be a nice change. Now I wish I had researched it more. I like to relax on vacation. Did not realize how much "traffic" there was on the beach and how noisey it is. One time I was out in the water and was just saying how nice and quiet it finally was and my husband can now read in peace, when a woman walked up and started talking into a bull horn about a concert coming up. Now really! A bull horn! And I can't forget the time when we weren't even at the resort 5 minutes and they approached my son to buy pot! It was definately a rude awakening. Yes we were definately sheltered at the FDR and thought this was what Jamaica was like. Well, we made the best out of the rest of the vacation and took in as much of the beautiful island sun, sand, surf, and restaurants. We love the Jamacan people, music and culture. We will return to Jamaica again, but, next time, I may take Marko's advise and do the cliffs. It was too busy for me on the beach....some people may enjoy this, and I guess if I was younger and not traveling with my family, it may have been ok....but I want peace and quite. That's why I don't do cruises....I want to get away from people. I believe this site, the good and the not so good, is important. It gives information that can help people know what they are getting into and make choices that are good for them. Not everyone is going to agree with everything, but at least they have different opinions as a guide. Can anyone give me a suggestion of a place to stay at the cliffs, where we can still have access to the beautiful Jamaican water's to swim....I'd hate to go to the cliff's and not be able to go swimming in the beautiful blue waters of Jamaica....Love-Peace and Respect

[phineasfreakears]

Can anyone give me a suggestion of a place to stay at the cliffs, where we can still have access to the beautiful Jamaican water's to swim....I'd hate to go to the cliff's and not be able to go swimming in the beautiful blue waters of Jamaica....Love-Peace and Respect

Most places on the cliffs have steps or ladders to get down to the ocean. Xtabi is very nice and very reasonably priced, you can swim and snorkel below the bar & restaraunt or from the caves. Rock House and Tensing Pen are a bit higher price, but have superior rooms and food.
Enjoy!!

[TiCtOc]

Read all the threads....Love Jamaica. Not as much a veteran as many here, but have been there a few times. My family first went to the FDR, a very secure family AI....loved it so much we went back twice. Our third trip, kids a little older, thought Negril would be a nice change. Now I wish I had researched it more. I like to relax on vacation. Did not realize how much "traffic" there was on the beach and how noisey it is. One time I was out in the water and was just saying how nice and quiet it finally was and my husband can now read in peace, when a woman walked up and started talking into a bull horn about a concert coming up. Now really! A bull horn! And I can't forget the time when we weren't even at the resort 5 minutes and they approached my son to buy pot! It was definately a rude awakening. Yes we were definately sheltered at the FDR and thought this was what Jamaica was like. Well, we made the best out of the rest of the vacation and took in as much of the beautiful island sun, sand, surf, and restaurants. We love the Jamacan people, music and culture. We will return to Jamaica again, but, next time, I may take Marko's advise and do the cliffs. It was too busy for me on the beach....some people may enjoy this, and I guess if I was younger and not traveling with my family, it may have been ok....but I want peace and quite. That's why I don't do cruises....I want to get away from people. I believe this site, the good and the not so good, is important. It gives information that can help people know what they are getting into and make choices that are good for them. Not everyone is going to agree with everything, but at least they have different opinions as a guide. Can anyone give me a suggestion of a place to stay at the cliffs, where we can still have access to the beautiful Jamaican water's to swim....I'd hate to go to the cliff's and not be able to go swimming in the beautiful blue waters of Jamaica....Love-Peace and Respect

LOL at the bull horn part-That is to wake people like me up from a rum induced stupor and to remind us that Negril is up and awake and everyone best start thinking about the next session of rum fun in the sun!

[TiCtOc]

Stop counting hustlers; start counting blessings.

[Lax1724]

My first trip to Negril (2nd to Jamaica) was the week before Christmas last December. The beach was pretty much deserted the first few days so we were easy pickin's for the vendors. Most days, we were on the beach from about 8:30 am until darkness fell (see: sand gravity). That is approximately 600 minutes (36,000 seconds) per day. The bull horn took away about 45 of those seconds (spread out over 3 trips down the beach over the course of the day). Neville took up another 2 minutes every day but those don't count because I couldn't wait to see him. The fruit lady was welcome at first but I can only eat so much fruit so, she ruined about 45 seconds each day. The pot/cocaine guys wasted a total of about 6 minutes total (72 attempts at 5 seconds each) over the first three days but then got the message and left us alone. The other vendors combined took up maybe 3 or 4 minutes a day total. I'm not great at math but I was left with peace and quiet and Red Stripes and dirty bananas and great food (some of which I didn't even have to get out of my chair to get) and beautiful sights and new friendships for the majority of the day. I make my triumphant return in 103 days and may just hug Neville when I see him. I am glad that all 36,000 seconds of beach time each day will not be spent in isolation inside the friendly confines of an AI. Just one man's opinion.

[Muck]

I am glad that all 36,000 seconds of beach time each day will not be spent in isolation inside the friendly confines of an AI. Just one man's opinion.

Don't knock the AIs....for many, it's quite relaxing to not have to worry about carrying cash around with you all day and still be able to drink copius amounts of booze and eat as much food as you like, and at the same time, not have to worry about budgeting your $$ during the stay.

Plus, who says your days need to be spent in isolation? As far as I can tell, most AIs don't put up a wall to keep guests confined. Believe it or not, they are actually free to stroll off the grounds whenever they choose.

For me, I get the best of both worlds. I do the majority (not all) of my eating and drinking at the AI, and I also get out and enjoy the vibe of the local scene.

[A_J]

I actually got into a fight the other day with one of these hustler/drug-dealer/beggar types in Negril. I was out for an early morning run (empty beach), and he followed me and harassed me halfway across the beach and back onto the hotel grounds where I was staying. One of those persistent types who wanted money and wouldn't go away, even after I said I wasn't carrying anything (true) and wouldn't give him anything. I finally lost my temper and hit him, which I shouldn't have done, but lawd these guys annoy me and I just lost it. Hotel security showed up and broke it up & I went back to my room and never saw the guy again, fortunately.

Almost enough to spoil a good vacation :-(

I have no problem with vendors who are actually selling something, but I hate these hustler types who want money for nothing and are very aggressive about it. I don't agree with the "life is hard there" excuses. I mean yes I know it is but that doesn't justify the hyper-aggressive attitude. If you're going to beg, you have to politely take "no" for an answer. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

[Rambo]

There are many places with wonderful beaches, and you will be completely left alone, unfortunately most of us cant afford to get to those places................but going back not all that long ago 7 mile beach was just like that.........
in fact many places in the US were and some still are like that......

what brings out those "salespeople"are two things......poverty and Tourists............and it has become a "clash" of societies in Jamaica.....
those who dont have, see how it is to have "tings" so di "clash"................

because of the somewhat rarity of firearms on the low street level...it yet hasn't reached "US Gang Standards".............
but no longer can you "throw your cares and worries to the wind"..............just keep a eye on the lookout.....

[Irie_Dawta]

One has to wonder why some people have issues with the people workin the beach and others dont....I for one dont have issues. Maybe it really is all about how you respond/talk to them.