Jamericans

Well on the subject of Newbie's, I decided to start what I hope to be a fun thread for all of us.

If YOU wanted, 1 thing to tell a 'newbie', what would, YOU, tell them?

I'm inviting YOU ALL to participate, please and thank you in advance.

Start YOUR engines

Ready, let's go........

1. If they ask, Is this your 1st time here?

SAY NO!

When the vendors (aka, "hustlers") approach you on the beach, respectfully, smile, say "No thank you" and move on quickly. If the person continues to follow you, give a friendly wave back and smile, but firmly say "No thank you!" or "No money" and then move on quickly, not looking back. It also helps if you walk in the water, bc it's a rare vendor that will come all the way into the water to get to you. Nearly without fail, I find that, as a very rapid walker anyway, almost NO ONE approaches me on the beach anymore.

I would tell a newbie to take everything in stride.

Don't let a few bad apples spoil your trip.

Jamaicans are beautiful people, too bad some of them have to sell trinkets, instead of going to medical school or becoming a marine biologist.

When you are approached by sales people, think twice, look, but don't touch, if you decide to buy, make sure it is what you want.

Some sales people think that once it is in your hand, you have agreed to buy it.

If you don't want something, just say no thanks with a smile.

Don't let a sad looking face or a mad looking face intimidate you.
Stick to your guns.

Once you look a person in the eye, and say no thanks, you don't even have to keep looking at the person.
If you were walking, keep walking.

If they have 2 arms and 2 legs, they will be fine.

They may try to look (pretend)upset, but that is life.

Jamaicans, like most folks, respect confidence.

So, be confident, walk tall and be a little kind, if you can, to the real folks that do need help.

Use your head at all times and dont be a scaredy cat.