Tips for Negril (& Jamaica) newbies

[Rambo]

try to get some color the first few days, lessens that "new white look".......buy wrist bands and jewelry first couple of days...good "shark" repellant...lol........
remember not all Jamaicans understand American slang....like the guy who just wanted to give the change as a tip....."Tourist kept saying, thats ok...when she was giving change...she looked at him each time he said it...finally she replied "I know its OK"......so say what you mean.."The change is for you"........
its not a "Drug Store, but a Pharmacy......and not "Coke" but Coke a Cola or "soft drink" ....you dont want your "wants" to be mis-construed....
Always know the currency that you are dealing in...Is it 100.00 Jamaican or 100.00 US????????...some will flop back and forth between the two, its easy to get overwhelmed and confused and agree to something you didn't really want.......
Be nice........ your a visitor.....but dont overlook rudeness or improper behavior.......being a Tourist is good..it offers some sort of "protection" as a LOUD voice on your part will carry a long way....Speak UP you will be listened to............
HAVE FUN...most of all

[Rob]

try to get some color the first few days, lessens that "new white look".......buy wrist bands and jewelry first couple of days...good "shark" repellant...lol........
remember not all Jamaicans understand American slang....like the guy who just wanted to give the change as a tip....."Tourist kept saying, thats ok...when she was giving change...she looked at him each time he said it...finally she replied "I know its OK"......so say what you mean.."The change is for you"........
its not a "Drug Store, but a Pharmacy......and not "Coke" but Coke a Cola or "soft drink" ....you dont want your "wants" to be mis-construed....
Always know the currency that you are dealing in...Is it 100.00 Jamaican or 100.00 US????????...some will flop back and forth between the two, its easy to get overwhelmed and confused and agree to something you didn't really want.......
Be nice........ your a visitor.....but dont overlook rudeness or improper behavior.......being a Tourist is good..it offers some sort of "protection" as a LOUD voice on your part will carry a long way....Speak UP you will be listened to............
HAVE FUN...most of all

LOL Rambo! There is no need for anyone to worried about "American slang". Jamaicans know what "drug stores" are as well as asking for a Coke in a restaurant, store or bar!

As a matter of fact, there are "pharmacies" in Jamaica that have the name "Drug Store" in their store name, such as "Nelson's Drug Store" - check out just a few articles from the Gleaner - some from years ago!

"About a month ago, I went to Nelson's Drug Store in Cross Roads to fill a prescription."

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2.../out/out4.html

"Sharon Hutchinson, 18, Miss March's Drug Store is a graduate of Oberlin High School"

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2.../ent/ent2.html

"Long converted into a household name, Haughton's Pharmacy in Mandeville is more than just a pharmacy; it's a landmark. It has been around for four generations: first generation was Richard Haughton who founded the Drug Store in 1920"

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...business2.html

This is 2013 man, Jamaicans know what you are talking about... they deal with North American tourists more than any other visitors to the island.