Beach Bum,
I am not at all surprised by your take on the people you meet in Jamaica. Considering the number of posts that have been removed from this board (and others) because of your recommending of illegal and dangerous activities to others, you dont seem, in my opinion, to be coming into contact with the more law abiding Jamaican citizens. When you run in a crowd who support themselves by illegal production and disregard the basic safety of others, then your experiences are based on a small fraction of the Jamaican people, not representative of the country as a whole.
Sometimes when expressing an opinion as well as forming one, it is often best to get as much information about the subject as possible. To say you didnt bother to read the whole thread before responding does speak volumes on your view of yourself and others.
Spending 8 months over 6 years in Jamaica, while more than many tourists, does not automatically mean that the experiences you have had are representative of the entire country. How much time have you spent in Kingston or Port Antonio or Mandeville or even Negril with people who actually insure their vehicles and dont rely on illicit drug production to make ends meet?
Perhaps by expanding your horizons a bit, you will see that Jamaicans are not lazy as you have stated. Perhaps you would find that Jamaican pride and gratitude is so strong, that it is often better than money in the bank. After a hurricane, when current and communications are down and the banks are not open, Jamaicans shine with the strength, resilience, compassion and pride that not all people can claim.
This is just my opinion....
