Most Jamaicans will never beg you for anything. They dont want to feel obligated to anyone and want to make it on their own. So the question "why do Jamaicans..." is not even an appropriate question. It is not fair to paint an entire country with a single brushstroke. A better way to think about it would be why is this guy you know begging you for $150?
There have been a few threads on the board recently talking about similar issues. I made a reply on a thread recently and Smith chimed in to add some details. Here is my quote with Smith's comments:
My quote: "creating expectations by throwing money around to the point that one is perceived to be "buying" friends"
Smith's reply: "THIS is a BIG problem..!!..
....and *probably* one-reason why we-tourist/foreigners have such a hard-time in Jamaica
on my very-FIRST trip/visit to the country-side,
many many many MANY years ago,
my now-landlord told me:::::>> "..Bill,,the people up in-country are very poor,,, BUT DO NOT give NOBODY nothing .... especially money.."
ONCE upon another time,
my landlord came to me,
wanted me to *help* & advise a fellow-foreigner-guy, who had recently come-to the area.
the forieigner was having *problems* adjusting
i saw the guy
watched him & how he moved around & dealt with folks
* sigh *
he was spending money like he was DonaldTrump
...buying rounds at the bar
...always reaching in his pocket for $$$$$ to pass-out
it always puzzled me,
as to why some-folks feel that $$$$ is the way to deal with everything"
So, you ask why you keep attracting people who think you are an ATM... lets look at the facts logically. You have enough money to purchase a plane ticket. You have enough money to stay in Jamaica for extended visits. You have money to pay this driver for his services to transport you around the island. Although you may have been saying you are not rich, maybe the impression you were leaving him with was that you had so much excess money that you could spend it partying and touring the island. In simple terms, maybe you were giving off the impression of "being an ATM".
Please note, I did not use the word "friend" regarding your driver because the obvious tourist vs. driver relationship that you were having with him, he being your designated driver and you both went all over the island and partied together. That is one of the services most drivers perform, to confuse a business relationship with a friendship may help explain why you feel the way you do.
The fact you "confided" in him can also create a "she wont mind if I ask" kind of a thought process on his part. He was your shoulder to cry on so to speak, so he may feel well within his rights to ask you for some money. And while we all know they dont hand out money in the USA and you have to work for it - would you be able to travel on the Jamaican minimum wage of less than us$100 a week? Here is an exact quote from the Gleaner about the increase in the minimum wage this year "The increases, which take effect on February 28, will see the minimum wage moving from $4,070 to $4,500 for a 40-hour work week." So for 40 hours you earn right about us$50. Would you work 40 hours for $50us? Maybe you understand why some may see you as "an ATM" at times. $150 is three weeks of labour. And please remember how much you spent when you both were out partying...
So to answer your last question, should "you continue to use this friend as a taxi driver/hang out partner or leave them alone", the answer would be to stop considering this driver you hire as a friend, but a person you pay to drive you around and to act as your companion/bodyguard/party acquaintance while on the island. You do like his vibe so why mess with a good thing?
I have many Jamaican friends now that I have been living here as long as I have, but as anywhere, relationships go through many phases and can take years to develop....
