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.
