First Timer: Just go back from Negril

[Plain Jane]

My first Trip to Jamaica and I'm already looking forward to going back. I don't have any complaints except for the constant "begging" and "peddling" from the locals while we were on the beach. Some of the people simply refused to accept "no" and you almost have to be aggressive with them. "No" means NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Besides that, I absolutely loved every minute of it....and thanks to overcrowding on the plane I will be returning this summer......I graciously volunteered my seat in exchange for a free roundtrip ticket...WoooHOOO!

[rastagirl777]

Free round trip ticket? Wow! That's just not done anymore - what airline did you fly?

[Plain Jane]

I used AirTran... They were overbooked out of Jamaica so they bumped several people up to Business Class
When I arrived in ATL, there had been one or two cancelled flights so that caused a larg overflow.....they were 28 people on standby for my flight......

I spent (7) hours at the airport but it was worth it.... The ATL Airport is a mini mall so it was worth the wait....

[VVHT]

Plain Jane, please change your name to FREE Plane Jane!! WOOOO HOOO Congrats!

[Rambo]

now you have that "Look"...they wont bother you as much next trip down.....

[Honey518]

Glad you had a great trip..

[Yvonne]

My first Trip to Jamaica and I'm already looking forward to going back. I don't have any complaints except for the constant "begging" and "peddling" from the locals while we were on the beach. Some of the people simply refused to accept "no" and you almost have to be aggressive with them. "No" means NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Besides that, I absolutely loved every minute of it....and thanks to overcrowding on the plane I will be returning this summer......I graciously volunteered my seat in exchange for a free roundtrip ticket...WoooHOOO!

I've been here 3 & 1/2 weeks & have not experienced what you described. Yes, people are out working on the beach, trying to make a living. I walk the beach frequently & the usual array of vendors come by my spot on the beach daily. (Also at NBCC.) No has always been respected. I buy what I want & don't buy what I don't want. Maybe 42 or so trips to Negril & staying here all summer for years makes a difference. The only place I had someone start to beg from me (ended very quickly) was near town when I was walking to get groceries.

Yesterday I heard one of the boat ride pitchmen comment to himself, "The beach no easy mon." W/ things as slow as they are, I feel for those who make their living on the beach. It is a tough time for many.

[Plain Jane]

I didn't have any problems in town or at the market....people just went about their way as usual.....on the beach it was completely different.. I did purchase a few things on the beach, but I also found a store at the Duty Free Mall that had a 50% off sale so I scored big.... Other than that, I'm not a newbie anymore so now I know what to expect. I look forward to my next trip.

[Lynntt]

Yvonne, as a longtime/longterm visitor maybe you are approached differently than a newbie? I know that's the case for me. People in Negril know me by face - if not by name - and I am usually treated very differently than first timers. Having been to Negril and stayed for weeks on end for more than a dozen years, I'm known by people who live there. Yet on more than one occasion I have been on the beach with friends, and maybe gone in for a nap or to the store, come back and my friends are surrounded by sellers who scatter when they see a face that they recognize. Sometimes, especially with newbies, "NO" (even a firm one) is not respected.

[Clarity]

Congratulations on getting the free ticket back to Negril! That's so awesome! I'm glad you had a fun time and that you're looking forward to going back!

As far as the locals being pushy; For the most part a "no thanks!" worked fine for us. We only had one situation with a person that approached us asking for five dollars and wouldn't take "no" as an answer. This was late at night though. We never had a problem during the day. We were approached by vendors, but most of them were actually really cool. I agree that they can be pushy at times, but I found that respect and a touch of humor works.They give the beach character and gives you a chance to interact with the locals. I had some really interesting conversations with them and learned more about Jamaica.

So I wasn't really bothered.This could be because I'm used to it. I live in San Francisco. We have a large homeless population. I carry a handful of quarters to distribute everytime I go for a walk. It's usually the same people everytime and we've gotten to know them.

In Negril, I found that most people had something to offer in return for the change. A shell, bracelets, a carving, or a fruit. You tend to encounter the same people each day and they will remember you.

How did you like Xtabi?
I was thinking of splitting our next trip between the beach and Cliffs. Xtabi or Catcha have been my top choices and I'm having a hard time deciding...