We faced the same begging on our april trip,Mr Stuck had to yell at one guy just to get him to go away(plus gave him a shirt he wanted just to get him to leave)he then wanted shorts to go with shirt.The hubby had a few choice words which only then set him on his way.I guess our up comeing august slow season trip will be a fun time also.....Once you go you know-what to expect next time lol!
I had a good one when i lived there. Say i will empty my pocket and you empty yours. whoever has the least takes all! Just remember to keep you money someplace other than your pocket! lol It rarely came to that though. When i said that they got nervous about losing the little they had
The only place it gets too intense for me is the craft market, so my solution was to stop going there. I really don't like talking to sales reps in the states, it's hard for me there. What kind of made me sad last year was the large number of kids that were out asking for a dollar at 8 pm or later. Makes me feel like their parents are making the kids ask.
For the hardcore taxis, higglers and drug sellers, my wife is quick with a no. A woman clapped at her in sunshine plaza last epyear (we were maybe 20' off, headed to the pharmacy from a trip to the dr.) and I thought she was going to lose her mind. The wife is so much better at saying no than I am.
What didn't you understand the N or the O
Hustlers: no thanks and keep it moving beach hustlers usually have their territory and won't cross too far into the next.
Vendors: not thanks and keep it moving if I see something I like, I'll make an offer and be quick to walk away if it's not accepted
Truly hungry women/elderly folks: if I have the resources I will purchase some box food for them; never cash. have been known to pick up some rice and things at the grocery store. I don't buy booze or cigarettes for anyone.
If I'm in the mood to give a small blessing to someone, I'll look to the one in the corner off to the side who doesn't ask and discreetly give. sometimes those folks get preyed upon if someone sees they've gotten something.
It's really too bad the situation has become what it has. Back in the 70's and 80's there was very little in the way of hustling and begging but as Negril grew larger more people from the surrounding areas came to try and make a living. I have said many times that the Jamaican Tourist Board and the police should have had some plan in place to reduce the amount and frequency of the hustle and bustle on the beach as many tourists won't return to Jamaica after experiencing the beach and being bombarded all day long. Obviously the numerous AI's were built with that in mind to at least be able to control their beach front and not allow non guests on the property. Personally I can deal with the realities of Negril Beach but prefer instead to go to other places in Jamaica. My time in JA is limited and I am trying to escape the noise of my everyday existance and don't won't to be saying NO five hundred times a day to people that I really have no interest in interacting with. The thing that reinforces my position on this is how Black Jamaicans (from other parts of the island) react to the hustlers and beggars, they can be very outspoken and harsh in their way of dealing with Negril Hustlers and beggars. I remember reading an article about Lee Scratch Perry and he was asked why he has left Jamaica for Switzerland and he said that he tired of the begging in Jamaica!! So its not only white tourists who tire of it.
I agree with going with the respect line
"no thank you" and being firm
Ya'll have me laughing.
"Where you stay?"
"The Hummingbird."
Then I remembered this:http://www.realnegril.com/royale/
So, you could be staying there!
After 30 years, there aren't many things I haven't already purchased so I just tell them that. For those proffering drugs, I hold up my hand palm forward and rock it back and forth, "No mon. Christian." Works every time.
We're all in this together and none of us is getting out alive.
Wow... so many tricks and lies to get one's point across.
We've been going to Negril for 30 years and have found that an honest and sincere "No, thank you" almost always works.
Also, never realized Christians don't smoke ganja.
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