Why do jamaicans find it so easy to beg.

[wrtiii]

Speaking personally, there are plenty of people in the US with whom we have essentially this same relationship: we hear from them when they need something, otherwise never. And that's OK, I just don't confuse them with "friends". In fact, some family members sort of fall into this category, too.

The discussion here, I think, is lumping together different kinds of relationship. So let me categorize:

Can a tourist have real friends in Jamaica? Of course. I think everyone knows what "real friend" means. A real friend thinks of you when there's nothing in it for him. Wildly unbalanced wealth makes this relationship more tricky (have any college buddies who became millionaires?).

Are there people in any tourist destination in the world whose job is that they sell friendship while you are there? Yes, definitely. Those people can be great to spend time with, and give excellent value for your money, but make no mistake, this is a business relationship. Unfortunately, many tourists don't understand that this is a business relationship. (If you have a travel agent or a real estate agent in the US, she is also your friend while you're doing business - that's the business she's in.) The good ones are happy to see you when you come back, remember something about you, and in general are very good at playing the friend role.

Are there "business friends" who attempt to abuse the relationship? Yes, of course. Mostly I think that they are people who just aren't very good at the "tourist friend" business and are frustrated because they're not making money. I think this is similar to the beach vendors who sabotage their own efforts by being too aggressive in trying to sell things. These are the "friends" who call you back at home and ask you to send them money, and when you don't, they're angry.

Are there just plain beggars, scammers, etc.? Of course, everywhere. In Rome there are plenty of pickpockets in the tourist places and on the buses most frequented by tourists. Different styles in different places.