Share your best tip for dealing with Negril hustlers and beggars ...

[Callie Rose]

it's always been a problem on the beach and usually a smile and "no thank you" works but one trip it seemed like it wasn't working so as we saw the ganga man approaching i told me my husband to start speaking chinese. worked like a charm ! ( we don't speak chinese, he just started making up some wierd stuff that kind of sounded like it)

[rastagirl777]

I become completely Spanish! I speak Spanish and dont understand a word in English!
Another stand-by is the old Ipod ear buds when Im walking alone, I act like I dont hear them!

Ha! Years ago there was this stalkie woman that hung around Lime Tree lane - I could not walk by when she wouldn't hit me up for something. I just started speaking Hebrew one day - and she never dealt with me again (as a matter of fact, she avoided me, probably thought I was speaking in tongues)

1)
2) Travel in front of a group and point to them.

And say "Mi nah tourist. Ask dem."

Truthfully, I do not get approached by vendors or beggars or hustlers very often at all. The worst of it usually comes in those first couple of days when I have to go downtown to do my shopping and I'm still "clear". But even then, I guess I carry myself in a way that doesn't scream "rich tourist". When I get begged on I just tell them I don't have any money and keep walking (or start walking as the case might be).

Vendors or hustlers...I don't spend much time on "the" beach and when I do I tend not to get bothered...I tend to go there only during high tourist season and they tend to occupy themselves with the more "fresh" faces on the block. On the West End we really do not have much of that activity at all. The worst of it seems to be at Ricks at Sunset and if I'm walking by at that time I simply say no thank you and they don't bother with me further than that.

What I love about being in Negril though is not having to rush anywhere...so if a vendor does call me over, whether or not I am interested in buying something I will stop by just for a talk - just so I don't blow them off and appear disrespectful. I'll admire their work and when they go in for the sell I'll make it clear that I'm not interested in buying. But sometimes I'll see something cute or interesting and then everyone wins.

As far as the men - the scene at places like Alfreds, Roots and Bourbon Beach can get intense. I'll always say I'm married and when they say something about their fabulous Jamaican Bamboo I'll point to my "husband" - usually one of my Jamaican men friends.

As far as the taxis, I don't mind them beeping and asking...I just tell them I'm OK. I've gotten used to it. On the West End the route drivers know me and know I'll flag them down if I need them.

As soon as I inform them that I am a U.S. Marshall, they avoid me like the plague.

As would I! (Joke.)

[Jaherring]

As soon as I inform them that I am a U.S. Marshall, they avoid me like the plague.

[Schuttzie]

Just a few thoughts from my heart and only one person's view:
I don't like the word beggar but you guys know I am a prude (lol). Jamaicans nah worry about speaking straightforward so probably would not be offended but for some reason I am. The homeless man on my corner here at home (Eddie) has become a good friend and I would never call him a beggar. I prefer to think of them as business people just trying to make it. Each with their own "story".

A respectful "No thanks I'm good" is all that is required in my personal experience, if necessary repeat if someone is being agressive. Hopefully those new to traveling to JA will research and be prepared or we can help them out if we see someone being overwhelmed. I have seen locals and property security be very helpful too so I never worry. I try to walk a mile in someone's shoes but can't imagine how hard given the downfall in tourism and the economy.

Now hustlers....got mad skills - top salesman.....can be a challenge but I have gotten to know a few and although I cannot relate completely, I can admire their charm and perseverence. Bless all of us on our journeys and respect when our paths cross.

Big UPs to you, Sweetness! Maybe I'm a prude too, hehe

[Rambo]

why would a "US Marshall" Title mean anything to the average "higgler"?????

I have heard" I'm CIA"..."US War Hero"...FBI Agent..."Dea and so on.......
they just have a laugh later.........tourist have been saying that for years.......Who Knows? maybe you are, but why would you advertise??

[7milelover]

I just say no thanks and if need be , thank them for taking the time to show me their stuff/ make me this offer. That usually ends it right there. They feel respected enough to move on.

[Jaherring]

Because nothing else worked.

[Lido]

I just say no thanks, have a nice day and keep walking.

[Rambo]

must be the accent

[RockRobster]

Got back from Negril on Monday and the outright begging was terrible this trip. The higglers were the same as always, but there was a heck of a lot of outright begging, not higgling, on this trip. And, a simple "no" did not deter them. I finally took to looking the beggar in the eye and stating "I work hard for my money and I don't give it away to ANYONE." That actually did the trick, each and every time....YMMV.