Some thoughts

[cdn_79]

Thanks Sheba, we are only going to be there for a week, but I'm going to try and fit lots in. I am already researching other parts of the island for future, hopefully longer trips!

Hope you and your Mum have a wonderful time in Jamaica.
Try to see more places than Negril.
There are many beautiful parts of Jamaica to be seen
Safe travels.

B

[cdn_79]

Thanks, I know we will have a great time, I've never let what people think stop me before so I'm not going to start now

[cdn_79]

"I know there are circumstances where people from very different socio-economic backgrounds and ages might just actually fall in love, but we all know that most of the time, the disadvantaged person is only in the relationship because they feel they have no other choice financially..."

Good insight. True in some cases.

But, I have seen just as many Jamaican men/women doing very well "playing the game"... meeting a guy/gal every other week ... promising love ... then asking for money ... he/she leaves the rock ... Guy/Gal #2 lands ... rinse, repeat ... 9 different men/women on speed dial ... a nice, comfy life based on making phone calls and walking the beach all day. The alternative would be getting a real job...right?

It isn't easy social situation to figure out. Thanks to my real Jamaican friends, and some cool boardies...I managed to get caught in that trap only once...and I'm not ashamed to admit it ... a lot of these "players" are GOOD ... they know every in/out/emotional ploy there is .... just about when you are asking yourself "This can't happen to me, I'm too savvy, right?" ... it probably is ... or why would you be asking/doubting it? LOL Do your friends at home ask you for money? Or call you 237 times in a day?

Someone said this here not long ago: "As long as the relationships are between consenting adults, it's no one's business."

Everything else, guessing at things, who did what and how people hooked up ... is plain and pure speculation ... and I agree. Everyone involved in any relationship between foreign and Ja needs to watch their heart ... and their wallet ... and as long as it's respectful, and no one is mistreated ... that's life ... it doesn't come with an instruction manual.

Just my $.02

Yeah, there are definitely players on both side. Back in the day I used to go to a lot of reggae parties/dances where the male contingent was largely off-shore farm workers 'fresh from yard', not all Jamaican but mostly. I've seen woman after woman used for getting landed immigrant status then dumped right after the guy gets his papers (or treated so badly they get rid of the guy.) Sometimes its SO obvious but no one can tell someone that when they're in "love".
And I've always seen the odd time where one of these guys actually does fall in love with a Canadian girl and they stay together, it definitely can happen. I guess I'm just uncomfortable with the idea of being viewed as someone with privilege taking advantage of someone. Oh well...I know I'm not and thats all that matters

[Island Girl]

I think the thing that pissed us off the most was a lovely older man who wandered the beach with his guitar or uke, can't remember which, anyways this group of 6 or so adults spent 30 minutes, listening to him, requesting songs than not offering him a tip. That burned us so bad, we saw it from afar but it left a lasting impression on us, and i'm sure has helped us be better tippers and more aware of our actions. Funny you should bring that up, I saw this go down to.
As for the higglers I did what I always do, wait until the last couple of days to buy anything. I find that no matter where I am, if I don't buy anything or respond to them they leave me alone after a couple of days. And I notice that word gets around on who's buying. The only thing I bought throughout the entire stay was cigarettes. I know I could get them cheaper, but I'm more than happy to pay a buck or two extra to have them on the beach! Well, I did buy ganj the first day. Off course he tried to stress me out, give me pisspoor quality at a ridiculous price, but I wasn't having it. End of story, I got the good stuff and at a fair price. Fair in the sence that I know I overpaid, but again to be able to buy it off the beach like that I think of it as service charge. Also I'm familiar with the consept of tourist prices and local prices, and to be honest I do think that's somewhat fair.

I am wondering if you do know that in fact, "ganja" is ILLEGAL in Jamaica. Also this board is NOT limited to adults only. When you post about it, you are promoting it- what does this say to younger visitors? Lastly, assuming you knew that is is illegal- why do you think you deserve a "fair price" on buying it? I would like to hear your logic on this.

IRIE! *IG

[Island Girl]

It's something that really stayed with me. They wasted his time, pretended to be friendly and than screwed him. And seeing people be asses to the staff made me try to be three times kinder and always quick with a smile and a big Thank You!
Funny about your Ganga story. I lucked out first go round, with quality stuff, in fact while reading a trip report on here I saw the name of the place mentioned and I pm'd the author asking if that vendor was still around, turns out I got the scoop and will be set this next go. My second time I got crap from a mans crotch...don't ask I still shudder thinking about it...lol. I know better now and that's what matters.

Now THIS - REALLY blows my mind. You got advice about WHERE to buy your "ganja" on this board? Had no idea the PM was for that function...HEY if you folks want to smoke your freakin brains out and disrespect the laws of the country you "profess" to love so much, go for it- if your Mama didn't raise you better there isn't any changing your entitled attitude now-BUT PLEASE do NOT mention your sources here, or even allude to them. FOR ONE REASON- you dopers could be getting your "suppliers" in a LOT of trouble by "advertising" for them here, OR even in PM. You guys are really clueless if you think only people planning to take trips to Jamaica read this board...

*IG

[Lapurr]

Uten, Thanks for the read... I Always say Negril and tequila have the same effect on me.....I'm a Goddess and everyone wants me...LOL, Naw really I don't get hit on much, I was told once by our tax driver I looked like a piece of cake, made me LOL...

I have never really seen any tourists Gone wild or behave badly, but I will pay more attention...My first trip to Negril we stayed at a little all inclusive, and the only time I have ever seen anything that made me think "holy s#*%" was a woman stumbling down the beach at 4:00 am slurringg"help me" "hide me" she was being followed-there was a group of us playing poker...so the hotel security walked her to the front beach road and put her in a taxi, she was making her way to mi yard...she should have been headed to bed I thought.

I'm glad to hear you will be back, it really is a beautiful place, and I love the food, people, and music...

[TiCtOc]

CDn~ Rule number 1 = always remember the saying "who cares"!!!
enjoy YOUR time enjour YOUR holiday have a great time and WHO CARES what anyone thinks?..they don't pay your bills, go enjoy yourself have a great time do all the things you always wanted to do and so should mum!

[utenlov]

I originally wasn't going to write anything on the subject of ganja because it is a open board. When I saw that so many others speak freely on the topic I thought it wasn't going to be a problem. Apparently I managed yet again to step on some toes. My reasons for smoking is mine, and mine alone. As for the fair price, it's basically the same as with everything else. You pay what it is worth, plus tourist and beach "charge" The illegal part of it? Well, I guess that would be my problem? Like it or not, it is part of a culture. Some like that part, some don't. I don't smoke it on the beach, near kids or people who obviously don't like it. Promoting it? I think not, I should think that everyone in the world knows this goes on in Ja and if Ja is chosen for a destination I'd like to think that people know they'll encounter it. That is all I'm gonna share on that matter. As for sharing more on my observations and experiences down there, I'm not sure.

[utenlov]

if your Mama didn't raise you better there isn't any changing your entitled attitude now Island girl, please refrain from making assumptions on how my mother raised me. You can critisize and question me, my actions and my opinion all you want. I chose to write on this board. But to blatantly say peoples mother did a poor job raising them is just rude. You know nothing of my mother, and I suspect you know nothing of other boardies mothers as well.

[Maryann]

Well said Tic and utenlov! And I think Rob does a good job of monitoring the board himself.