It's not even like that Suzan I was serious about buying him a beer, I'd rather kill him with kindness. The last thing I want to do is take some ridiculous internet feud down to the place where I go to escape actual feuds. True, I'm definitely not a person to shy away from confrontation but I also don't go around picking fights. Like my Dad taught me, "try to avoid it if you can, never start it and always finish it"
RG- Lazy was a strong word and I tried to explain what I was trying to say but he deleted it. I know many hard working Jamaicans, they take pride in themselves and being independent. Unfortunately I've encountered many over the course of my travels around the island who expected alot of me and were never shy to ask for things. I was trying to point out that I was comparing them to other cultures I've experienced where this does not happen. I also have TRUE friends who never ask me for a thing and I take care them the best. If you ask me to buy you a beer after a 1 minute conversation, you are begging and that happens to me all the time in JA. That was part of the point I tried to explain.
I've also learned over the years to never give my # out, having been bombarded with requests for money, etc. Even had my # given to some youth who tried to scam an intimidate me, that was interesting... From my experience the gratitude showed by Jamaicans to tourists is usually little to none. Especially at the resorts but that's a different story... Once you get to know the people things completely change. However, I've never had people complain or look disappointed with a tip or hassle me the way they have in Jamaica if I'm not interested in buying something. If you give a $1 US tip to a street vender in Honduras, you get a huge smile and loud Muchas Grasias!, very genuine appreciation. In Jamaica, I've found that when beers are bought, meals paid for, tips given, there is a lack of genuine appreciation for this act of generosity. I feel there is a strong sense of entitlement within a large part of the population that I HAVE MET.
I love Jamaica and it's relaxed way of life. That's why I spend so much time in the area that I do. The last thing I ever want to do is disrespect the country or it's people. I apologize if my opinions offended anyone on this board or the other. Bless Up everyone! 3 more days!