Is it just me? Beach etiquette

[brasi]

If I'm in Jamaica, I'd like to hear reggae/dancehall...not blues...not alt rock...not bad covers of Southern rock...so...I guess it'd depend on the playlist...BUT

I think what we're discussing here is common courtesy. But someone always has to be the rude American tourist and keep the stereotype alive.

If I ever chose to play my music on the beach, I'd ask the people around me if they minded the volume. Same with smoking...no big deal...plenty of room for everyone...I can walk down the beach a bit.

[NEGRILJAIL]

I understand that many cities/towns including the one I live in are smoke free .. but we are talking Negril Jamaica here folks .. when in Rome !!! The only smoke free place I've ever been in Negril is/was Sweet Spice ..
Funny side note ..when I was in Prague Czech Republic a few summers ago .. enjoying a meal at one of the restaurants .. lots of folks enjoying their after dinner cigarettes when an American couple decided to put up a stink about the smoke .. she was REALLY disturbed ..I may have been the only other english speaking patron in the place ..after a heated discussion with the wait staff ..I watched very curiously as to how this was going to pan out ... I almost pissed my pants when I saw the staff hurriedly preparing a table outside for them ... i had to burst out in laughter as they escorted the couple to their new table ... you should have seen the look on the ladies face ..i'll never forget it ...priceless !!!!

[MoFromMonroe]

Quite honestly I have never noticed very many Jamaicans smoking cigarettes (not talking about ganga). If I am at a hotel and looking for a spot on the beach I take a look around and I get my spot where no one is smoking. I agree with Brasi it's a big beach. As a cancer survivor I don't want to breath in someones second hand smoke. Again just common courtesy. My point was just that 6 or so guys sat right in front of us and lit up cigars. Really? You couldn't find a spot away from everybody. If I approach a bar that is full of smokers I'll keep going. I certainly don't expect everybody to accommodate me because I don't smokel. BTW I am an ex smoker; we are always the worst! As far as the music goes what if everybody on the beach felt it necessary to loudly play their own choice of music. Wouldn't that be fun. Sorry not interested in Country Western music in Jamaica.

[booger]

I'm all about respecting people and their space and expect the same in return. However dictating certain genres over others that people choose to listen to is selfish. There is other music besides reggae that suits a beach setting, Buffet and Zac Brown to name a couple. It's a PUBLIC beach people open to all and you will be sharing space with people from all walks of life and cultures. Just because you prefer something doesn't make it right......

[brasi]

Hey Boog...I am not dictating... Sorry if it sounded it. I could actually care less...but I'd be more annoyed with Nickelback than say...Jack Johnson...but if it's LOUD and BAD??? Yikes.


rock on.


And...I smoke....I meant I can walk down the beach, if the smoke is bothering someone...no problem mon...low key., low speed. Chillin'.

[Breaker44]

it's been said, common courtesy. That being said someone is always gonna be offended about something. Local music is ok for a while but eventually i'd like to hear my playlist, now if there is music already being piped in then no. my rule, if I'm there before you then you know what to expect (assuming my music is on). If i come after you i will play it low and ask, is that to load? As for a nice cigar, i will factor in the crowd, the density of the crowd wind direction and most importantly the wife look......which means i'm not lighting up, lol. Back to music, my comparison or equivalent is the group of loud, animated conversationalist who although are friends appear they are gonna kill each outer any minute. And yes they usually have cigarettes. I guess my fear would be them breaking out the ipod docking stations. Where was i with this? oh ya common courtesy, its a wonderful thing! 3 weeks till Riu Negril!!!!!!

[RockRobster]

Depends. If it was the beach in front of your hotel, you could have mentioned something to security. If security wouldn't help you, and the 'offenders' were guests as well, then your options are limited to saying something like, "Hi, did you just get in? Does that thing have any reggae or other good music?", living with the noise, buying an mp3 player with headphones, or moving on.

If you were just hanging on 7 mile, not at your hotel.....then I have to say.....passon. Find a place more to your liking. Its a public beach. That's like being on a public beach and being offended by children or loud drunks. It comes with the territory called "life".

That said, you can always go to Half Moon Beach. They are quite specific...no outside food or drink and no radios/boomboxes. But, you have to pay the incredibly steep admission fee of $200J....

I don't smoke, but if somebody is so sensitive to smoke ON A BEACH WITH A CONSTANT BREEZE that they can't stand it......that somebody needs to stick to the good old US of A. OMG, can you imagine being on the beach in France, Italy or Spain and asking somebody not to smoke on a public beach?????? OMG, ROFLMAO!!!! Americans and Canadians are sooooooooooo spoiled when it comes to nonsmoking.

[Jamerican71]

wow ...what's next -No smoking Private "quiet" beach?? possibly with an entrance fee!! Guess I'm just easy going like that!! Kids laughing, playing, music going, people smoking...dominos been slammed, just doesnt bother me....Now drunk , rude, obnoxious *******s do! Negril beach is Huge, spread out...and enjoy!

Completely agree and this is exactly why I can never get any reading done on the beach. Every sensory is on overload and I love it!

I'm cool with folks drunk on the beach or even the clubs but I can't stand the rude and obnoxious folks whether drunk or sober.

[Rasta Stan]

Hey Booger, Huge Zac Brown fan here also...lol
I set up my beach camp early , I smoke and listen to music , don't like it move down the beach, don't ***** about it.
That simple.
i would never set up beside someone and the expect them to put up with me or my smoking and iPod tunes.
That simple too.

[kylake]

The world would be a better place if people occasionaly thought about how their actions may effect others. The world may never be a better place.

Brief and well stated!