Some thoughts

[brasi]

Racism is not limited to the AI cookie cutters.....there are some boardies that see Jamaicans as a lower class of people. They may not say it out right or they may not use the N word but it is evident in some of the posts made on this board.
Fire away......

never said it was limited to them, I said they are more likely to harbor it, via "no local policies" etc.

I've never seen a boardie be racist. I don't know Rob well, but I am sure I know him well enough that if uten was uncomfortable seeing racism happening she should KNOW that boardie gatherings are a safe haven from that.

That's what I should have said. Your experience is your own. Mine is my own.

I'm outta this thread...my sanity is about to explode...LOL...I wasn't trying to argue about where racists hide, or who is more racist...I don't care. They are idiots. The end.

Thanks for a great report uten.

[luvjabd]

I've never seen a boardie be racist. I don't know Rob well, but I am sure I know him well enough that if uten was uncomfortable seeing racism happening she should KNOW that boardie gatherings are a safe haven from that.

That's what I should have said. Your experience is your own. Mine is my own.

I'm outta this thread...my sanity is about to explode...LOL...I wasn't trying to argue about where racists hide, or who is more racist...I don't care. They are idiots. The end.

Thanks for a great report uten.

Just because you haven't seen something for yourself doesnt mean it doesnt exist. As for me, I am a black woman (technically bi-racial)....I see things differently than some.
Racists are idiots, on this we agree

[Chet & Coleen]

First l.o.l on the video, I did a translate and it came back "death jump", outch

I'm a total immersion guy in the sea myself, floating in salt water is one of life's thrills, you gotta go where the feet don't touch the bottom.

On a sad note and I say this with 40 some trips to the Island, other than a road side guy hollering "white N*****" at a dear Jamaican friend riding in my jeep one day I have never heard the word used there, sorry you were subjected. I can't say if it is the company I keep or if those around me know what I won't tolerate. A sad day when we transport cultural inadequecies into another culture.

[utenlov]

I feel that on the racism thing I should be clear on one thing. I did not under any circumstances hang out with anyone remotely racist. It was things I overheard or people I talked to for 3 minutes in a bar. I have worked in a kindergarden for 13 years so I tend to have eyes and ears in the neck so to speak. I overhear things easily, I'll even admit to tapping in on the occasional conversation around me. Hey, I was travelling solo and didn't always have anyone to talk to! The people I chose to hang with were sweet, down to earth and openminded. All the qualities I stride to be myself.

[utenlov]

First l.o.l on the video, I did a translate and it came back "death jump", outch hahaha! Well, the translation was correct! And yes, if you land wrong it will hurt! I don't think I have one male friend that hasn't done that jump in his life. Norwegians, go figure!

[Jbizek]

I feel that on the racism thing I should be clear on one thing. I did not under any circumstances hang out with anyone remotely racist. It was things I overheard or people I talked to for 3 minutes in a bar. I have worked in a kindergarden for 13 years so I tend to have eyes and ears in the neck so to speak. I overhear things easily, I'll even admit to tapping in on the occasional conversation around me. Hey, I was travelling solo and didn't always have anyone to talk to! The people I chose to hang with were sweet, down to earth and openminded. All the qualities I stride to be myself.

This is my husband, he was always tuned in to drama going on around us while I sat oblivious with a goofy grin that stays on my face the entire time we're in Negril. While we never encountered any racism or people using that awful word we saw plenty of ugly tourists being awful to staff. I think the thing that pissed us off the most was a lovely older man who wandered the beach with his guitar or uke, can't remember which, anyways this group of 6 or so adults spent 30 minutes, listening to him, requesting songs than not offering him a tip. That burned us so bad, we saw it from afar but it left a lasting impression on us, and i'm sure has helped us be better tippers and more aware of our actions.
I'm one of those weirdo's that don't just get into the water, our first reach I had some open wounds on my elbows, mixed with salt water..OUCH. The only time I got out deep was when my dear husband would carry me out making sure my elbows were above water. I was a fish in my former life and spent all my summers growing up in some body of water, its just not always medically possible for me anymore.
I enjoyed your thoughts very much, and am glad you plan to go back someday.

[yetta]

Utenlov, thanks for sharing your thoughts on your visit. Quite frankly, it is quite refreshing to hear about your observations. I am not offended in any way....you are just being honest which is one thing that I truly appreciate. As often happens in Jamaica....one finds a true friend, like your friend from the hills, and their heart and kindness helps confirm the "goodness" in the human race.

Anxious to hear more...and YES, being a mountain girl myself, I have peed in the bush..many a time....

[utenlov]

I think the thing that pissed us off the most was a lovely older man who wandered the beach with his guitar or uke, can't remember which, anyways this group of 6 or so adults spent 30 minutes, listening to him, requesting songs than not offering him a tip. That burned us so bad, we saw it from afar but it left a lasting impression on us, and i'm sure has helped us be better tippers and more aware of our actions. Funny you should bring that up, I saw this go down to.
As for the higglers I did what I always do, wait until the last couple of days to buy anything. I find that no matter where I am, if I don't buy anything or respond to them they leave me alone after a couple of days. And I notice that word gets around on who's buying. The only thing I bought throughout the entire stay was cigarettes. I know I could get them cheaper, but I'm more than happy to pay a buck or two extra to have them on the beach! Well, I did buy ganj the first day. Off course he tried to stress me out, give me pisspoor quality at a ridiculous price, but I wasn't having it. End of story, I got the good stuff and at a fair price. Fair in the sence that I know I overpaid, but again to be able to buy it off the beach like that I think of it as service charge. Also I'm familiar with the consept of tourist prices and local prices, and to be honest I do think that's somewhat fair.

[Seveen]

:-)

[Jbizek]

I think the thing that pissed us off the most was a lovely older man who wandered the beach with his guitar or uke, can't remember which, anyways this group of 6 or so adults spent 30 minutes, listening to him, requesting songs than not offering him a tip. That burned us so bad, we saw it from afar but it left a lasting impression on us, and i'm sure has helped us be better tippers and more aware of our actions. Funny you should bring that up, I saw this go down to.
As for the higglers I did what I always do, wait until the last couple of days to buy anything. I find that no matter where I am, if I don't buy anything or respond to them they leave me alone after a couple of days. And I notice that word gets around on who's buying. The only thing I bought throughout the entire stay was cigarettes. I know I could get them cheaper, but I'm more than happy to pay a buck or two extra to have them on the beach! Well, I did buy ganj the first day. Off course he tried to stress me out, give me pisspoor quality at a ridiculous price, but I wasn't having it. End of story, I got the good stuff and at a fair price. Fair in the sence that I know I overpaid, but again to be able to buy it off the beach like that I think of it as service charge. Also I'm familiar with the consept of tourist prices and local prices, and to be honest I do think that's somewhat fair.

It's something that really stayed with me. They wasted his time, pretended to be friendly and than screwed him. And seeing people be asses to the staff made me try to be three times kinder and always quick with a smile and a big Thank You!
Funny about your Ganga story. I lucked out first go round, with quality stuff, in fact while reading a trip report on here I saw the name of the place mentioned and I pm'd the author asking if that vendor was still around, turns out I got the scoop and will be set this next go. My second time I got crap from a mans crotch...don't ask I still shudder thinking about it...lol. I know better now and that's what matters.