"Only tourists call Jamaica 'paradise'"

[Rob]

While I seriously doubt that any tourist has ever be chopped for stealing (yes, it is still "stealing") fruit from someone's tree, they would be expected to pay for that lapse in judgement, and pay some form of "idiot tax" for their liberty taking... (grin)

[smith744]

Not “steal” per say, .

LOL
if-NOT '.steal.' per say,,, then WHAT is it then..??..
lol
lol
lol

let's do a Google & check the definition of '.steal.' eh

here're some excerpts/examples:::

Verb: Take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it

to take the property of another wrongfully

to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right

lol
lol
yep yep::: dem stole, steal, etc

dem thieves

[smith744]

Ahhh, yes, I love this custom!

:-)

i too love that *custom*,
especially helpful in the countryside, when the JehovahWitness-people come around ....

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

don't any of you's take this the wrong way
..i have NUTIN' against JehovahWitness-es
.....a BUNCH of my Ja-*friends* are of that faith

but::>> in Jamaica they '.flex.' a LOT different than they do here in-foreign .... even those (in Jamaica) who stand on the street-sides, handing out their literature/tracks are more laid-back, and don't *approach* you, as they do here in-foriegn.

mi like the Ja-stylee

[jon c.]

100+ years ago in the rural US similar customs were practiced with regard to announcing one's self while still outside of the 'yard' and waiting to be invited to enter the property.

[smith744]

back-in-the-day, we would say this thread was started by a troll

don't get me wrong,
i am NOT saying the original poster boardie-A_J is a troll
.oh no no nooooooooooooooo
...mi no saying dat..!!..

but it do have a troll-ish smell
...though *probably* NOT A_J's intention

btw~~~boardie-A_J::::: WELCOME to the board-family

nevertheless,
WHEREAS i've got a likkle time to kill,
i'll *play* for a likkle bit

taking pictures or videos of private moments without permission

as many know ---on the board AND on the island--- I'm a photographer .... now semi-retired

for-YEARS there've been beau-coup(sp?) images I wanted to capture/shoot,
but i KNEW it would be wrong wrong WRONG to do so
..and i quickly *learned* & recognized that down-yonder-there in Jamaica it wasn't a good idea

photo-wise I frequently would ask myself:::>> "..How would I feel if somebody came roaming around my neighborhood click-click-clicking..???.."

* sigh *
there's a whole bunch of images i wish i'd captured,
...especially some candids
........but so it go::: no images

lately, now-days, I've found that Ja-folks (who know me) are very accommodating, and *seem* to have NO-problem with my taking pictures. BUT me no fool-fool..!!..

i STILL ask permission, or get an 'ok' FIRST
..AND tell 'em what my intentions are when it comes to the use of the images

creating expectations by throwing money around to the point that one is perceived to be "buying" friends

THIS is a BIG problem..!!..
....and *probably* one-reason why we-tourist/foreigners have such a hard-time in Jamaica

on my very-FIRST trip/visit to the country-side,
many many many MANY years ago,
my now-landlord told me:::::>> "..Bill,,the people up in-country are very poor,,, BUT DO NOT give NOBODY nothing .... especially money.."

ONCE upon another time,
my landlord came to me,
wanted me to *help* & advise a fellow-foreigner-guy, who had recently come-to the area.

the forieigner was having *problems* adjusting

i saw the guy
watched him & how he moved around & dealt with folks

* sigh *

he was spending money like he was DonaldTrump
...buying rounds at the bar
...always reaching in his pocket for $$$$$ to pass-out

it always puzzled me,
as to why some-folks feel that $$$$ is the way to deal with everything

:-(

mi-SAY (to self)::::>>> "..Nope Nope..!! .... i can't help him .... i ain't waste-ing my precious vacation-time trying to change that stupid from-foreign mindset ..... Nope .... can't manage ... can't dew-wheat.."

getting confused by the patois to the point the tourist agree's to something they shouldnt have... that one actually happens quite a bit...

this is why i tend to always ask folks:::>> "..What you say ..??.. I don't understand what you're saying.."

i've found that sometimes the Patois is used deliberately to confuse the tourist/foreigners.

Interestingly, in the Ja-school system, the students aren't allowed to use Patois.

I've found that ESPECIALLY in the tourist areas ----e.g., Negril--- EVERYbody speaks the Queen's English. Their use of the English-language is better than mine. Sometimes somebody will ask ME to *translate* something I may have said, 'cause they didn't unna-stan what i was saying.

:-(

And then of course there is the obvious venturing into places or establishments that even most locals avoid, especially at night... there are more, but they can all be avoided by having someone with you who is watching out for you and your party!

and let's not forget::::>>>> AND:::>> hang-ing out with, or be-*friend*-ing, or falling-in-*love*-with somebody(s) that even most locals avoid.

[*vi*]

LOL
if-NOT '.steal.' per say,,, then WHAT is it then..??..
lol
lol
lol

let's do a Google & check the definition of '.steal.' eh

When I used the words “not stealing per say” I’m referring to the individual who comes across a fruit tree (for example) and takes the fruit “thinking” its okay to pick from it because there appears to be no ownership of it.

In their mind, they weren’t stealing but taking liberties instead of finding out if it’s okay to do so. Some people make that mistake in Jamaica because fruit trees are everywhere. Goats and other animals roam freely. A newbie may think such doesn’t have an owner. That’s what I thought before I found out otherwise. Like the person who mentioned dogs being taken. Perhaps that individual just wanted to give a stray a home.

I’m not talking about the someone who walks into a yard knowing whatever is in the yard belongs to someone else.

All that definition rah rah rah…well…I guess you needed to exaggerate your point so yes, even when taking something that you THOUGHT was free, but turns out not to be free….is still stealing.

I’m just saying it is so important to respect what you find different or new in Jamaica and not assume you understand the runnings. Ask or risk being taught the hard way like with a fine or stern warning.

[*vi*]

While I seriously doubt that any tourist has ever be chopped for stealing (yes, it is still "stealing") fruit from someone's tree, they would be expected to pay for that lapse in judgement, and pay some form of "idiot tax" for their liberty taking... (grin)

You are right...I should have clarified that "chop" to mean a stern warning or fine. Not literally. I do apologize for not making that clear.

[Mr. Twister]

Here is a photo I took of a thief from my last trip. The thief was not a tourist. I took this while at brunch at Cafe Goa. I wouldn't want to be a thief in Jamaica based on what I witnessed. Note the big guy with the big stick. He was not happy in the least bit.

[rasta ronnie]

I like Jamaica, what can I say, what is, is, what's not, is not

[Rambo]

our place is you stay in car, our dogs will let you in if we so desire...............