I think if you do the experiment anywhere in the world of plonking down a bunch of "open" (unfenced) resorts for upscale travelers, in an area that is populated but poor, this is the inevitable result. I think it has nothing to do with Jamaican culture and everything to do with human nature.

I know that locals come to Negril from as far as the town I bought my house in (Petersfield, 45 min away) to sell to/beg from/scam the tourists. Jamaicans are squeezed for money. There is work but it pays almost nothing - 5000J/week is not an uncommon salary for unskilled labor. While meanwhile, if you go into any store you'll find dollar-store-quality merchandise selling for 4x what it costs in the US. Services e.g. electricity, internet, etc - cost a lot too. Stress arises from trying to live a westernized lifestyle and support your family, while not having an income that allows for that. It's understandable that a few turn to begging and scamming. It's a small percentage, but there are a lot of surrounding towns, and it adds up.

Re: "blame the victim" - It strikes me that the tourist being hassled is not the only victim. The hassler who has no other way of paying his rent and electricity and water and food bill and kids school fees etc - well, he is also a victim. He's a victim of the Jamaican government's failure to develop the economy, a victim of high taxes and corruption, a victim of past history (slavery, discrimination) and a victim of the world economy's disregard for the global poor.

I am not saying you should open your pockets to the hasslers. Be respectful, but decline. You're not responsible for their families. If you really want to give your money away to needy people, there are far needier people in refugee camps from places like Syria, Myanmar, and Congo, to name just a few.

I don't have the answer to all this. I agree with Accompong's point about not letting the small stuff bother you so much. Hassling is just, well, annoying. Don't confuse it with real crime. I was hassled a lot in 20 years of visiting Negril, but never really felt in danger. When I got mugged in Kingston, that was very different - quick and violent. Kingston felt a little scary. Keep your perspective - the guy in Negril saying "yu nah respect mi?" is not a danger and you don't need to pick a fight with him.

If you want sanitized/hassle-free, then go to one of those gated AI's, or go to Hawaii or something. I think people who repeatedly go to Negril like that likkle flavor of reality mixed in with their vacation. Which is cool.

Peace and love,

Richard