Quote Originally Posted by brasi View Post
"I know there are circumstances where people from very different socio-economic backgrounds and ages might just actually fall in love, but we all know that most of the time, the disadvantaged person is only in the relationship because they feel they have no other choice financially..."

Good insight. True in some cases.

But, I have seen just as many Jamaican men/women doing very well "playing the game"... meeting a guy/gal every other week ... promising love ... then asking for money ... he/she leaves the rock ... Guy/Gal #2 lands ... rinse, repeat ... 9 different men/women on speed dial ... a nice, comfy life based on making phone calls and walking the beach all day. The alternative would be getting a real job...right?

It isn't easy social situation to figure out. Thanks to my real Jamaican friends, and some cool boardies...I managed to get caught in that trap only once...and I'm not ashamed to admit it ... a lot of these "players" are GOOD ... they know every in/out/emotional ploy there is .... just about when you are asking yourself "This can't happen to me, I'm too savvy, right?" ... it probably is ... or why would you be asking/doubting it? LOL Do your friends at home ask you for money? Or call you 237 times in a day?

Someone said this here not long ago: "As long as the relationships are between consenting adults, it's no one's business."

Everything else, guessing at things, who did what and how people hooked up ... is plain and pure speculation ... and I agree. Everyone involved in any relationship between foreign and Ja needs to watch their heart ... and their wallet ... and as long as it's respectful, and no one is mistreated ... that's life ... it doesn't come with an instruction manual.

Just my $.02
Yeah, there are definitely players on both side. Back in the day I used to go to a lot of reggae parties/dances where the male contingent was largely off-shore farm workers 'fresh from yard', not all Jamaican but mostly. I've seen woman after woman used for getting landed immigrant status then dumped right after the guy gets his papers (or treated so badly they get rid of the guy.) Sometimes its SO obvious but no one can tell someone that when they're in "love".
And I've always seen the odd time where one of these guys actually does fall in love with a Canadian girl and they stay together, it definitely can happen. I guess I'm just uncomfortable with the idea of being viewed as someone with privilege taking advantage of someone. Oh well...I know I'm not and thats all that matters