Social Graces

[Seamuis]

The hand shake is the hook.. if you start with that you'll get the 'cool' handshake and likely more, a pitch, a 'gift.' Another greeting is for a higgler to offer your 'pretty lady' a gift where the solicitor ties a wrist band on her, don't let them! You may be on a walk and someone will join you and just start chatting it up where 20 mins later or so they may want a fee for the tour. The list goes on.. The regular greeting on Jamaica is "Wa gwan" akin to "what's going on".. this young lady is really cute and put a great piece together on greetings: https://youtu.be/ic5O-8GiOg8

A local man should have permission from you to speak with 'mi lady'.. well, it's really more lax than that, but you can call someone on this.. at least I have. I had a guy hassle us on the beach one night and I told him he was disrespecting me by speaking to 'mi lady' without my permission.. that was pretty much the end of discussion. I would say do not leave your lady alone at a local bar without a friend being with her.. as soon as you step out she will be approached and will hear some pretty crude and frankly down and dirty lines.. Please do not characterize all Jamaicans by my points, most Jamaicans are absolutely wonderful, friendly and warm people especially given the economic and political oppression they deal with.

If someone asks you for a drink I would suggest you tell them that if they buy the first round you will buy the next two rounds and see what happens. Here's hoping you have a great time.

-Seamuis

[TedP]

My thoughts exactly Bill!

[Odinson]

My thoughts exactly Bill!

Any guidance from experienced travelers can be very helpful. It should be taken into consideration that there are probably people here looking for advice that may have never traveled out of their home country or even out of their home town or even leaving the AI's and hitting the road in Jamaica for the first time. Its fun for me to help people to have a great time in Jamaica and it seems that the purpose of this forum is to do the same.

[Bnewb]

Trip is getting close (10 sleeps). As this is our first visit to Jamaica, I have a question regarding local customs. What's appropriate, and what's not? When you meet/greet someone, or say goodbye, what's the customary method of doing so - hand shake?, fist bump?, bro hug? How do the locals shake hands - the classic palm-to-palm, or locked thumbs? Anything else I need to know to show respect? When has a local "crossed the line" when interacting with my girlfriend?

Teach me!

My first instinct was similar to Accompong's comments, to tell you it's the same as anywhere...other than Jamaicans tend to be more polite and more formal in their daily greetings...very British in style...maybe I'd call it a bit of an aloofness compared to an overall American personality. My information is a generalization.
But, then I remembered there are some aggressive higglers and hustlers that may approach you...which can be intimidating to newcomers or people that are shy in being approached...you've received some good information above from those that have dealt with them before.

Fist bump, hand shake...all appropriate.

You're going to hear the words "good night" in the late evening/nighttime as a greeting not to be confused with saying goodbye, but to be understood the same as we would say "good morning" to each other.

Enjoy yourselves...relax...go with the flow...
the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the sea is calm and a dirty banana or rum cream in your coffee is an excellent breakfast starter.

[Papa Georgie]

In my humble opinion, this thread was kind of directed in the wrong way. The hustler and higglers are a separate topic. I have found almost all Jamaican (other than the higglers) to be polite and civil. If you want to get to know them you will know that you have to tease out bit about their personal life. Also Jamaicans are religious. Grew up in the church. I bring my guitar when I visit and I can tell you that they know their gospel music. And will sing with you.

[Kold Ass Mofo]

In my humble opinion, this thread was kind of directed in the wrong way. The hustler and higglers are a separate topic. I have found almost all Jamaican (other than the higglers) to be polite and civil. If you want to get to know them you will know that you have to tease out bit about their personal life. Also Jamaicans are religious. Grew up in the church. I bring my guitar when I visit and I can tell you that they know their gospel music. And will sing with you.

That is awesome!

[jamaicajeanne]

In my humble opinion, this thread was kind of directed in the wrong way. The hustler and higglers are a separate topic. I have found almost all Jamaican (other than the higglers) to be polite and civil. If you want to get to know them you will know that you have to tease out bit about their personal life. Also Jamaicans are religious. Grew up in the church. I bring my guitar when I visit and I can tell you that they know their gospel music. And will sing with you.

Love it Papa Georgie!!!

[JDd]

i remember the first time i went....
no place like this...

[jojo p]

This is cracking me up......a few years back I was at Bar b Barn visiting a friend ( irie chic ) .......and the security guard came up to me and said ''good night''......I thought he was telling me to leave, lol !!

[JDd]

Trip is getting close (10 sleeps). As this is our first visit to Jamaica, I have a question regarding local customs. What's appropriate, and what's not? When you meet/greet someone, or say goodbye, what's the customary method of doing so - hand shake?, fist bump?, bro hug? How do the locals shake hands - the classic palm-to-palm, or locked thumbs? Anything else I need to know to show respect? When has a local "crossed the line" when interacting with my girlfriend?

Teach me!

have you ever heard of 1st nite syndrome?