I will count on CaptainD to correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that the minimum wage in Jamaica is $55/wk, with no specification for the hours or days worked. And certainly no benefits. Where I come from, a beer is waaaay more than $5 ... for local brew.

I certainly wouldn't begrudge anyone any kickback from a $5 beer in a tropical paradise that I flew to on an airplane; headed to a cushy resort to escape the cold winters where I live.

I strongly recommend you go help out at St. Anthony's kitchen; you may see a side of our lovely island you have been insulated from.

They're not ripping you off. They're just trying to get dinner for their family for another night. Or keep their kids in school for another term. The life we are priviledged to lead in Negril is not what most Jamaicans lead.

There are real scams in Jamaica (and Montreal, Toronto, New York) that are laid out for tourists. One does have to be careful. But a crummy $5 for a beer? Budget it in for your next trip. 99% of the Jamaicans cannot even dream of budgeting for a trip like that!

I hope you left a tip!