Manda,
I dont think anyone here has an issue with what the OP felt during their trip as we have all felt that in our own way. But to deal with these feelings by expressing them on a public message forum in a way that is condescending and condemns all Jamaicans is obviously offensive to many.
Living outside America for the better part of two decades now, I find it startling how many Americans dont understand other countries of the world, or even their neighboring countries for that matter. But for me to phrase my feelings as "Why are Americans so stupid when it comes to the world around them?" and post this on a public forum would not win me many positive comments from the American crowd. Not all Americans are like that - so the blanket statement proposed would not even be accurate in the first place. People reading that comment would be well within their right to point that out. Essentially, when you are posting something for the world to read, you need to keep in mind how your words will come off. This is not your private Facebook wall, but an international travel forum. There are ways of getting your point across without offending people.
The main issue that the OP seemed to have by the comments was when they were awoken on the beach by a vendor. There is no excuse for this behavior. Simply none. But I must ask again why blame all Jamaicans for this, why not complain about the property that allowed it? Most properties would never allow this to happen, so how has this become all Jamaicans fault and not the fault of a single property?
And the scammer concept that is prevalent in the OP's first comment does not seem to be based on facts according to their own words. Since the OP says they never gave any of the beach vendors a dime, how would they know if anyone was scamming them or not? To assume and then post for the world to read everyone you meet in Jamaica is scamming you is one of those comments that will obviously offend many and will be responded to in that manner.
The OP also stated that they didnt intend to single out just Americans, but nevertheless entitled their post "Why do Jamaicans think Americans always need something?". In addition to obviously singling out of American tourists, it does imply an "us vs. them" feeling from the outset. This will also tend to color how people respond to the post. If you post something with combative overtones in the first place, then it should not come as much surprise that some of the replies will come back that way.
And to call part of another culture "silly" as in "silly fist bump" is condescending at best. I am sure this line or even the attitude behind it did not win them many friends here on the board or in Jamaica for that matter.
It is one thing to not like something and state what you didnt like. No one here has any problems with that. Nothing in this world is perfect and we all know that. But if you choose to state your dislikes in a way that is confusing, combative and condescending, then it should come as no surprise if the replies are less than favorable.
