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Living in Jamaica - Consider this First!!!!

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gustavo

1/24/2008 10:11 EST

Unfortunately there was not a lot of information about jamaica before I moved here. So I thought it would be nice to give a view from a guy who was born and raised in a developing country.

Basically the majority of Jamaicas are extremly rude an agressive towards foreigners. I feel really bad for my wife because she is white, so her suffering is even bigger. Jamaica people have nothing to do with reggae which is a very happy and relaxing music. Lately the government has been extremely strict about work permits for foreigners. Little they know that the majority of services (including the best ones which are quite few indeed) are foreign capital. In sum, everbody is against you here.

I thought I could have a good time going to the beautiful beaches here and relaxing, but this has not happened. Locals will gather around you like a zoo, and they will be very annoying. They will not respect your wife or girlfriend. If Jamaica did not have major private resort areas, it would not be a big nor even average tourist destination, because the contact with the locals is unbearable.

So my resolution here has been the following, though completely against my principles:
- Be aggressive; don't be shy to honk, curse and push people around, they will treat you like a local (amazing).
- Feel comfortable to make up stories and lie when you deal with services, forge documents and signatures, it will make your life much easier
- And finally be patient, even the above resolution may not work.

I feel bad for writing this because I have good jamaican friends, they are very nice, I'm sorry guys. And also, my country (Brazil) is not doing much better than this, but had I read a similar report before deciding to come here I would think twice.

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java

3/5/2008 10:22 EST

Yes brother you have made up your mind on Jamaica, however i would to educate you on the history of our jamaican people and where they are comming from but this is not the place. Anyway if you are having such a bad time my only suggestion is for you to return back home to your lovely country where all is perfect. Kinds Regards

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sharlyn

3/31/2008 17:50 EST

I find your post highly offensive. I have been living in Jamaica with myhusband and son since 2005. We are Canadian. Yes, there are some issues that are faced in Jamaica that we have not faced in Canada. I have lived in 6 different countries and recognize that every place has its postives and negatives. All Jamaicans are NOT rude and aggressive. I myself have challenges with certain aspects of living in Jamaica but I would never generalize in the way that you have! If you dislike it that much why wouldnt you just leave!

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affordableweb

From: Jamaica

4/1/2008 18:50 EST

English is not his primary language and maybe there is something lost in translation. I'm pretty sure gustavo did not mean to highly offend anyone when he said "a majority" of Jamaicans are rude towards foreigners. He never used the word all.

We can't say he is wrong when he is speaking about his own personal experiences here in Jamaica. Some folks are treated differently here in Jamaica when others know they are from "farrin". I myself look Jamaican but I am American and I rarely have any troubles here. To but be honest I believe every expat has been victimized to some level here in Jamaica. My wife is a typical White American and when she is with me she never has a problem but when she is alone its another story. She has been a victim of some pretty horrible stuff because of here skin tone and the possibility she has money. We're not rich but many Jamaicans do see foreigners as an opportunity to make money and we are harassed in public places. Many Jamaican men have no respect for women or the fact my wife is standing with her children and next to her husband when they say rude things like let me see your "t_ts" and get offended when she tells them how rude they are. It has no matter where you are from but more about how you look in Jamaica and some of us are treated with less respect than others because of skin color our style of dress or the way we speak. Thats a fact all Expats will have to deal with here in Jamaica.

Regardless of the situation here in Jamaica, being rude is never justified. Harassing people who come here to enjoy the place is ignorant, selfish and akin to shooting yourself in the foot. The entire country is supported by tourists and to scare them away is stupid and it is hurting this place more than anyone cares to admit. The all inclusives are glad to hear about stories like this because it helps them fill in those rooms behind the walls.

I predict a grim future for a country that is so heavily dependent on tourism but continues to disrespect the tourists once they get here.

I know that not everyone has the same wonderful experiences that I have had here in Jamaica. I live here and I'm not leaving but I understand that thats how things are and I accept them for what they are.

Gustavo offers some great advice for new expats moving to Jamaica.

He's absolutely correct when he says you should be aggressive here in Jamaica. I know for a fact my friend "DJ" has had a horrible time here in Jamaica and it is because he is a pushover, a punk by some standards and they take advantage of him every chance they can simply because they can. I on the other hand will not stand for the nonsense and therefore I rarely have any trouble. I no longer support beggars because all it creates are more beggars.

He is absolutely correct also when he says you have to bend the rules here in Jamaica. I will not go so far as to say lie or forge documents but you do have to "make things happen" here in Jamaica or they will never get done.

Patience is a virtue I lack and I take an aggressive approach to everything in Jamaica and I'm sure its why I enjoy the place so much.

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deiselsmom

4/3/2008 02:13 EST

WOW!! I tend not to agree with anything you have said. I am Canadian and have been to Jamaica many many times matter of fact moving there this June & I have meet nothing but nice, respectable people...Don't get me wrong yes there can be some that are rude but that is not just in Jamaica that is EVERYWHERE and has nothing to do with where the person/persons come from it has to do with who the person is.

You sound like you are really regretful for moving to JA I think you should move back to where you came if you are that unhappy

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