From my experience the splif must work -- Had just purchased my first car in JA (had never driver it or in JA yet) But decided it a great time for a "road trip" with three of my lady friends. We head out - two in the back seat are alternating between laughing and dead silence. My copilot continued to yell out -- "to the left P - to the left -- watchout pothole -- tree --- BIG tree . . " We made it all the way around the round about and I mean ALL the way. Off down road to Sav but decided West End is were we wanted to be. One more time around the round about and up West End Road. All the way to the end - where the road turns into just two ruts in the bush. Time to turn around. Then someone had the idea to stop and take photos. After the photo-shoot, got back in the car and it won't start. Lift the hood, take a look (yes at least two of us actually knew what a car engine looked like). We tried a few things - just then a rasta (splif haning from his lip) stopped to lend a hand. What was the first question one of the ladies asked? "Got any more of that?" The other three of us laughed our asses off. Still no luck with the car - but found Guinness in the truck while looking for tools. We had no money so decided to pay the rasta for his time with a warm Guinness.
With me trying to start the car and R tapping on the starter with a lug wrench - we finally got it started. Can anyone say "Three hour tour"?
As we reached town steam was coming from under the hood. Pulled into Burger King to get some water. Four white ladies and a steaming car brings out the macho in the Jamaican men. Really, we could have poured water in the car ourselves but it was too much fun watching them all want to show what they knew about cars. Still no money - so distributed more Guinness and we were on our way.
That was one of our more unforgettable days in Jamaica.