Brasi Trip Report: January 2012

[brasi]

January 2012 Brasi Trip Report # 14
A Lunch Break Conversation/Interlude with a Bartender in Negril

One of the most obvious differences between Jamaica and where I live is the blatant sexuality and interplay between men and women in Jamaica, both foreign and yardis alike. A lot of this, in my opinion, is due to the benefits "hooking up" represent for both sides. But also, I believe that in Jamaica things are much more open and honest. From hookers to regular women looking for some companionship...it seems what is said is what is meant. There is not a lot of beating around the bush.

The following conversation only represents one opinion, but it is a discussion I had with a young Jamaican woman, age 28, who just so happens to be married to a guy that lives near me here in the States and who is 42 years old.

After discovering this coincidence, I asked her how she met her husband (she was working at Riu. She is in Jamaica to care for her mother but will be returning to the US soon, she says). She said a few things that I think may be part of the social structure in Jamaica...she seemed to be pretty convicted. Again, not my words, and only one person's opinion...

On dating Jamaican men:
"Jamaican women would often rather be single. We call some of the guys "dirty 5$^^&'s" becuase they will call, tell you to call back so they don't use their minutes. They will ***** and chew about paying for this or that. Many women would much rather be single than date a Jamaican man. And many would rather wait and hope to find a guy from the US or England, maybe Canada, whateer the case, to date because it is seen as a much better situation. Jamaican women want to be independent, or have help in life. They don't want to support a man."

On kissing and public displays of affection:
"There is a thing. Jamaican women often assume that men will have bad breath. So, many prefer not to kiss."

On living in Jamaica, then the US:
"Oh, it was so much faster than here. I was lost a little bit. I came back here and was telling all my friends about how fast it was and they really didn't believe me."

On assumptions when a white man and a black woman are seen together in Jamaica:
"Most of the time it is no problem, unless a girl is known. If she is known then maybe the men on the street will make fun. But lots of times people will be glad, glad that maybe she has a chance at a better life. When I met my husband we took it slow and courted for two years on the phone and during his visits. Soon everyone I knew saw him as the person he was and not the American guy with a lot of money."

#30#


I was eating my lunch at work and remembered this talk. Cool stuff IMHO.