How safe is Negril to stay in a NON AI??

[Rob]

First of all, welcome to the Negril Message Board Simon! It is great to have you join us and you will find helpful information here to make your trip the best possible! And sorry about your thread being highjacked a bit...

In regards to your interactions with the local vendors or higglers as they are called, you will have no issue at all with any of them understanding "no thank you", "no thanks" or a simple "no". All are equally fine to use and none will be confusing for them to hear.

To Craig and Northcoast/Jajewel - Jamaicans are taught manners in school and at home. While the use of the "No thank you" is not used in everyday speech in the interior of the country, in a more populated place, be it a tourist area or a city like Montego Bay, Mandeville or Kingston, it is not uncommon to hear "no thank you" in everyday speech. And to those from the interior who are trying to earn a trade in the tourist areas, any new vendor will pick up the usage of "no thank you" in a matter of days. To suggest that Jamaicans, especially Jamaican vendors in a tourist area will be confused by such usage is insulting. I know Jamaicans who were insulted by the comments on TripAdvisor.

With the internet and cable tv being more readily available, showing the interactions from people from all over the planet, the case of Jamaicans even in the interior of the country not understanding what something like "no thank you" means is becoming a thing of the past.

And I speak about this from a perspective of nearly 20 years living daily in Jamaica, and observing how people interact from all corners of the island.

[northcoast]

"If any of you knew me, you would know that I am not a rude or impolite person by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I in the habit of dis-respecting folks. I simply stated, that it has been MY observation from living here & watching how locals behave & speak, that this culture does not expect a "thanks" after the "no", because "thanks" is not used in that way in Ja. culture."


I in no way was trying to be insulting to any Jamaican by my statements. I am married to a Jamaican & live WITHIN the Jamaican culture. I did not state that a Jamaican would not understand what "no thanks" meant, whether it be in a tourist area, or far into the hills. I mentioned "misunderstand"or confused to try to get tourists to understand that when you are dealing with persistant vendors (which I very seldom have to deal with), that THOSE people , in the back of their head, may "construe" the meaning of you adding the "thanks" to the "no", as a possible way to make the sale at a later date because he may think you are "wavering" in your decision. I never said to be rude or impolite....it is the WAY you say things to folks that is more important than the exact words you use anyway. I will say no more, because I do think you know exactly what I meant by my statements.

[Rob]

I did not state that a Jamaican would not understand what "no thanks" meant, whether it be in a tourist area, or far into the hills.

We have been programmed to say "no, thanks" out of politeness in our culture, but that is often misunderstood & confusing to Jamaicans (especially those wanting to make a sale)

Northcoast/Jajewel - I guess I misunderstood... lol

Very good advice Craig & so true....when you ask a Jamaican if he wants something & he says "thanks". it means yes....if he doesn't want it, he will just say "no", point blank. We have been programmed to say "no, thanks" out of politeness in our culture, but that is often misunderstood & confusing to Jamaicans (especially those wanting to make a sale)

Here is the full text of your first post, no where did you state anything about a persistent vendor. While you may feel that I know what you meant, to say what you did to a first time visitor without using the qualifier of "persistent vendor" is not helpful and sends the wrong message. How would they know you meant "persistent vendor" when you didnt say that?

This may be why my Jamaican friends take offense to such comments. Without qualifiers it lumps all Jamaicans into the same light, which is very unfair...

[Craig123]

Although somewhat hijacked, it's been an interesting and thought provoking thread. Thanks to all.

[Shakedown]

Northcoast,
I understood exactly what you were implying and did not for one moment think that just say NO is being rude or impolite.

Rob maybe you are not familiar with the Nancy Reagan campaign of the 80's of JUST SAY NO. I certainly do not think that she was implying that we be rude or impolite <GRIN> She was just stating the obvious -that the most efficient way of letting somebody know that you are not interested in what they are offering is a FIRM but polite NO is all it takes.

You must remember that since you have been residing on the island for 20 years you are very comfortable with the culture. However, most AMERICAN tourist are VERY uncomfortable with being approched on numerous occassions throughout the day with offers to buy goods. And I have over 30+ years of traveling to foriegn countries and have in my almost 50 years of exsistence spoken to thousands of people who report that fact. That is just MY experience. So just as your experience is yours please dont insult others by insinuating that their experiences aren't true. It is very rude and impoliet of you to do so.

[Rob]

Shakedown,

Interesting name and interesting first post.

I am familiar with the Nancy Reagan campaign against drug dealers called Just Say No. As was a common joke at the time, the correct way to state it would have been Just Say No Thank You! And the last I checked not all Jamaicans who may approach you are drug dealers.

Northcoast/Jajewel did not state that her suggestion was the most efficient way of dealing with a vendor. How would a first time visitor know she meant something she didnt say? But she did state that a Jamaican, especially a vendor may not understand the usage of the words "no thank you". This is an absurd assumption and an unfair judgement on Jamaicans as a whole, especially when dealing with a vendor in a tourist area.

There is no reason at all not to say No Thank You or No Thanks to a vendor. They will most certainly know what you are you saying. If a vendor is persistent, then by all means take it to a strict NO, but there is no reason for anyone to start off with a NO if they are more comfortable saying No Thanks. To claim it will be misunderstood is misleading to any first time visitor.

It is true that I am very comfortable with the culture here having been in it for two decades now. But the fact I meet first time visitors nearly every week also means that I am of course keenly aware of how uncomfortable first time visitors from America and elsewhere (not just America), are about being approached. But to suggest they have to change their normal response of No Thanks or No Thank You to a firm NO only will add to that uncomfortable feeling. It is not necessary. There is no need for them to change their behavior. For a persistent vendor as we all know, even a firm NO does not always work. Just say NO is not a "cure all" and to imply it is incorrect.

I am not insinuating anyone's experience is not true. But facts are facts. Northcoast/Jajewel did say Jamaicans, especially the vendors may not understand and will be confused by No Thanks - which is an untrue statement. She also said she meant this comment about persistent vendors, which she never stated in her original post. These are facts, nothing insinuated. Just simple facts.

Had she said what you stated above, there would be no issue. But to make false claims that Jamaicans wont understand and will be confused is offensive to many Jamaicans that I know.

[jasperpso]

I agree with rob on this one actually. Shakedown, your perception of the comments may not be someone elses.. Just cause you understood what she meant, doesnt mean that someone of a different culture or background would read it the same way..

This does sorta back up northcoasts idea that no thank you might confuse some fringe element when they are eager to sell so they may eat today. But definitely not all, or even most vendors..

[Craig123]

Note to self. Be careful what you say....be very very careful. LOL

[captaind]

I must be very obtuse but I'll be damned if I can follow this thread.....

[northcoast]

Don't even badda try Cap....