Quote Originally Posted by madtowndan View Post
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.