Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 4)

[Forever Young 1]

I agree, Jamaica is going down the drain and where are the politicians that come around during election time and hand out work, money and pretend like they care ? It kills me to know that my niece can be subjected to these old men trying to get with her on the streets coming home from school. It's just so hurtful when I think about it. I pray for them. It's just such a shame. i remember those days when Jamaica was Jamaica and the old men used to defend the young girls on the street instead of getting them pregnant and what can the moms do about this? most times nothing cause they'll end up in some gulley with bag over their heads.

I want those days back too

I want those days back for my little relative still there too. I have a 16 year old SIL that I pray for every single day. I really hope this family repetitive choices will be different with her. She has dreams and is smart enough to achieve them if..................

Can I ask you Jamaicans.....has it always been so sexual in nature? Not sure how to put this....and please don't bite my head off......but, I see sex in almost everything there. The clothes, the dances, the songs, the billboards, the talk, the actions, the children. Not sure if you even get what I am trying to say. It just seems overly in your face to me. Now, I am a midwest girl. Some say we are a little backwards here. If that is true, it is fine with me. But, even some of the bigger US cities I have visited, I just don't see it as much. Has it always been so in Jamaica? If not, what changed?

You're right to a degree JG. I definitely think it has become more pronounced in Jamaica. I remember back in my Mom's days...you couldn't even THINK, forget mention sex in public...Not even with close relatives or ask questions. It was always in the music, but much much more covet. "Like they would sing about things that COULD be sexual, but never came right out and said it was. The Calypsonians, ska and rockers were more lyrically creative.

But, it really is everywhere now...it's twisted now like the girl that can wine up the best and show her front is the best. Have you seen any Passa Passa video's...I can't watch it, cause I just feel so bad that a young woman would be that starved for attention they would perform like that. (And trust me I'm not a prude ) But to have grown men stand up and stare at a young girls carrying on like that makes me sick! Very similar to the 'Star' philosophy the Don in the documentary was speaking about. But for woman and girls it's more aimed towards their body. Unfortunately, some girls have no self-esteem or little to no education, so they really think the only thing they have to offer is their little bodies. And as this becomes the norm in JA. society, grown men are less criticized and ostracized for having sexual relations with these little girls.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents

Bless, Gill

Edited October 11, 2007 by Deyoungting

[Jonesie 1]

You're right to a degree JG. I definitely think it has become more pronounced in Jamaica. I remember back in my Mom's days...you couldn't even THINK, forget mention sex in public...Not even with close relatives or ask questions. It was always in the music, but much much more covet. "Like they would sing about things that COULD be sexual, but never came right out and said it was. The Calypsonians, ska and rockers were more lyrically creative.

But, it really is everywhere now...it's twisted now like the girl that can wine up the best and show her front is the best. Have you seen any Passa Passa video's...I can't watch it, cause I just feel so bad that a young woman would be that starved for attention they would perform like that. (And trust me I'm not a prude ) But to have grown men stand up and stare at a young girls carrying on like that makes me sick! Very similar to the 'Star' philosophy the Don in the documentary was speaking about. But for woman and girls it's more aimed towards their body. Unfortunately, some girls have no self-esteem or little to no education, so they really think the only thing they have to offer is their little bodies. And as this becomes the norm in JA. society, grown men are less criticized and ostracized for having sexual relations with these little girls.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents

Bless, Gill

I'm not opposed to sexuality (to a degree) or dances but mi naah go ####### up mi leg, skin out mi batty, an mek di cameralight seeit - yu si mi? Foolishness dat. The dance dvds (Bembe/Passa/Weddy/Fire/etc) are seen around the world and these women have no idea who is watching and lusting after them, let alone the men surrounding them at the dance. There is a time and place for everything and to show your "jewels" - well that should not be happening at a dance.

[*JG* 2]

I agree, Jamaica is going down the drain and where are the politicians that come around during election time and hand out work, money and pretend like they care ? It kills me to know that my niece can be subjected to these old men trying to get with her on the streets coming home from school. It's just so hurtful when I think about it. I pray for them. It's just such a shame. i remember those days when Jamaica was Jamaica and the old men used to defend the young girls on the street instead of getting them pregnant and what can the moms do about this? most times nothing cause they'll end up in some gulley with bag over their heads.

I want those days back too

I want those days back for my little relative still there too. I have a 16 year old SIL that I pray for every single day. I really hope this family repetitive choices will be different with her. She has dreams and is smart enough to achieve them if..................

Can I ask you Jamaicans.....has it always been so sexual in nature? Not sure how to put this....and please don't bite my head off......but, I see sex in almost everything there. The clothes, the dances, the songs, the billboards, the talk, the actions, the children. Not sure if you even get what I am trying to say. It just seems overly in your face to me. Now, I am a midwest girl. Some say we are a little backwards here. If that is true, it is fine with me. But, even some of the bigger US cities I have visited, I just don't see it as much. Has it always been so in Jamaica? If not, what changed?

You're right to a degree JG. I definitely think it has become more pronounced in Jamaica. I remember back in my Mom's days...you couldn't even THINK, forget mention sex in public...Not even with close relatives or ask questions. It was always in the music, but much much more covet. "Like they would sing about things that COULD be sexual, but never came right out and said it was. The Calypsonians, ska and rockers were more lyrically creative.

But, it really is everywhere now...it's twisted now like the girl that can wine up the best and show her front is the best. Have you seen any Passa Passa video's...I can't watch it, cause I just feel so bad that a young woman would be that starved for attention they would perform like that. (And trust me I'm not a prude ) But to have grown men stand up and stare at a young girls carrying on like that makes me sick! Very similar to the 'Star' philosophy the Don in the documentary was speaking about. But for woman and girls it's more aimed towards their body. Unfortunately, some girls have no self-esteem or little to no education, so they really think the only thing they have to offer is their little bodies. And as this becomes the norm in JA. society, grown men are less criticized and ostracized for having sexual relations with these little girls.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents

Bless, Gill

I know it is everywhere, Gill. I was not picking on Jamaica in any way. You guys keep that in mind whenever I do say anything.

I think my issue is the in your face stuff. Yah, the dancing is one. My 4 year old niece did the wine one day and I nearly fell over. She's four, for God's sake. No child should know that stuff already. And, mind you, I know she doesn't really KNOW....but, still. It was very suggestive.

I'm not sure if I've watched the Passa Passa or not. I watched one video where some woman climbed up on pretty much everything and was hanging from the ceiling in the end. It was more then I cared for. Degrading is the only word I can think of most of the time.

I hear and see how the men....boys too; but mostly grown men look, act, and talk around and to my 16 year old SIL. I want to bash in some heads sometimes.

I sat around with some girls (women?) one day talking about girly things. One girl was a masseuse (sp?). She went into great detail about how much money she was making by offering "extras" with their massages. She so matter-of-factly stated facts. I probably had flies buzzing around my gaping mouth.

For me, in my life, it just isn't every day stuff. When I was in Jamaica, it seemed to be.

[jawi876 2]

I just finished watching the series...and I am so saddened by the hopelessness in their eyes. I cried when Ross asked one of the gunmen if they could picture a life without the gang wars...and he so no...that this life was not their dream...but they have to defend their turf.

I cried when I listened to the young man talk about losing his girl and unborn child. So truly heartwrenching.

[Forever Young 1]

I agree, Jamaica is going down the drain and where are the politicians that come around during election time and hand out work, money and pretend like they care ? It kills me to know that my niece can be subjected to these old men trying to get with her on the streets coming home from school. It's just so hurtful when I think about it. I pray for them. It's just such a shame. i remember those days when Jamaica was Jamaica and the old men used to defend the young girls on the street instead of getting them pregnant and what can the moms do about this? most times nothing cause they'll end up in some gulley with bag over their heads.

I want those days back too

I want those days back for my little relative still there too. I have a 16 year old SIL that I pray for every single day. I really hope this family repetitive choices will be different with her. She has dreams and is smart enough to achieve them if..................

Can I ask you Jamaicans.....has it always been so sexual in nature? Not sure how to put this....and please don't bite my head off......but, I see sex in almost everything there. The clothes, the dances, the songs, the billboards, the talk, the actions, the children. Not sure if you even get what I am trying to say. It just seems overly in your face to me. Now, I am a midwest girl. Some say we are a little backwards here. If that is true, it is fine with me. But, even some of the bigger US cities I have visited, I just don't see it as much. Has it always been so in Jamaica? If not, what changed?

You're right to a degree JG. I definitely think it has become more pronounced in Jamaica. I remember back in my Mom's days...you couldn't even THINK, forget mention sex in public...Not even with close relatives or ask questions. It was always in the music, but much much more covet. "Like they would sing about things that COULD be sexual, but never came right out and said it was. The Calypsonians, ska and rockers were more lyrically creative.

But, it really is everywhere now...it's twisted now like the girl that can wine up the best and show her front is the best. Have you seen any Passa Passa video's...I can't watch it, cause I just feel so bad that a young woman would be that starved for attention they would perform like that. (And trust me I'm not a prude ) But to have grown men stand up and stare at a young girls carrying on like that makes me sick! Very similar to the 'Star' philosophy the Don in the documentary was speaking about. But for woman and girls it's more aimed towards their body. Unfortunately, some girls have no self-esteem or little to no education, so they really think the only thing they have to offer is their little bodies. And as this becomes the norm in JA. society, grown men are less criticized and ostracized for having sexual relations with these little girls.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents

Bless, Gill

I know it is everywhere, Gill. I was not picking on Jamaica in any way. You guys keep that in mind whenever I do say anything.

I think my issue is the in your face stuff. Yah, the dancing is one. My 4 year old niece did the wine one day and I nearly fell over. She's four, for God's sake. No child should know that stuff already. And, mind you, I know she doesn't really KNOW....but, still. It was very suggestive.

I'm not sure if I've watched the Passa Passa or not. I watched one video where some woman climbed up on pretty much everything and was hanging from the ceiling in the end. It was more then I cared for. Degrading is the only word I can think of most of the time.

I hear and see how the men....boys too; but mostly grown men look, act, and talk around and to my 16 year old SIL. I want to bash in some heads sometimes.

I sat around with some girls (women?) one day talking about girly things. One girl was a masseuse (sp?). She went into great detail about how much money she was making by offering "extras" with their massages. She so matter-of-factly stated facts. I probably had flies buzzing around my gaping mouth.

For me, in my life, it just isn't every day stuff. When I was in Jamaica, it seemed to be.

JG, when I said it was everywhere...I meant that I was looking into what you were saying ...like it's true sex really is everywhere in the Jamaican culture now...I definately wasn't picking on you Sweets. Sorry if I gave the impression.

Yeah the little girls wining up kills me...what's worst is when the mother's show them off proudly like..that is REALLY something to be proud of! Tell me your 2 times table or that you can read a Dr. Seuss book by yourself, at the age of 4 and that's what will impress me! Not that you taught your 4 year old daughter how fi do the Dutty Wine...in my eyes that a dyam good reason for me to call Child Protective Services!

Don't get me wrong Dancing is a huge part of our culture, but catching the riddim and know how to dance on beat as a 4 year old...what happened to those days!? Like does anyone remember Jamaican Festival following up to Independence and the traditional Jamaican folk dances...IT DOESN'T exsist anymore...a whole part of our history gone, because it's no longer popular.

Again, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be a hypocrite, cause trust me in a dark back corner of a dance with my Alize in one hand and Ken's waist in the other, I can put down apissa wine! But like Jonesie said there is a time and place for everything! But infront of the video light or a 4 year old child is not and will NEVER be one of them...at least in my opinion.

Blessed, Gill

Edited October 11, 2007 by Deyoungting

[*JG* 2]

No, Gill, you did not give me that impression at all. I just wanted to make it clear from the beginning. Sometimes I come off rather strongly and I don't really mean to. I just wanted no misunderstandings at all from anyone.

[*JG* 2]

I agree, Jamaica is going down the drain and where are the politicians that come around during election time and hand out work, money and pretend like they care ? It kills me to know that my niece can be subjected to these old men trying to get with her on the streets coming home from school. It's just so hurtful when I think about it. I pray for them. It's just such a shame. i remember those days when Jamaica was Jamaica and the old men used to defend the young girls on the street instead of getting them pregnant and what can the moms do about this? most times nothing cause they'll end up in some gulley with bag over their heads.

I want those days back too

I want those days back for my little relative still there too. I have a 16 year old SIL that I pray for every single day. I really hope this family repetitive choices will be different with her. She has dreams and is smart enough to achieve them if..................

Can I ask you Jamaicans.....has it always been so sexual in nature? Not sure how to put this....and please don't bite my head off......but, I see sex in almost everything there. The clothes, the dances, the songs, the billboards, the talk, the actions, the children. Not sure if you even get what I am trying to say. It just seems overly in your face to me. Now, I am a midwest girl. Some say we are a little backwards here. If that is true, it is fine with me. But, even some of the bigger US cities I have visited, I just don't see it as much. Has it always been so in Jamaica? If not, what changed?

You're right to a degree JG. I definitely think it has become more pronounced in Jamaica. I remember back in my Mom's days...you couldn't even THINK, forget mention sex in public...Not even with close relatives or ask questions. It was always in the music, but much much more covet. "Like they would sing about things that COULD be sexual, but never came right out and said it was. The Calypsonians, ska and rockers were more lyrically creative.

But, it really is everywhere now...it's twisted now like the girl that can wine up the best and show her front is the best. Have you seen any Passa Passa video's...I can't watch it, cause I just feel so bad that a young woman would be that starved for attention they would perform like that. (And trust me I'm not a prude ) But to have grown men stand up and stare at a young girls carrying on like that makes me sick! Very similar to the 'Star' philosophy the Don in the documentary was speaking about. But for woman and girls it's more aimed towards their body. Unfortunately, some girls have no self-esteem or little to no education, so they really think the only thing they have to offer is their little bodies. And as this becomes the norm in JA. society, grown men are less criticized and ostracized for having sexual relations with these little girls.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents

Bless, Gill

I know it is everywhere, Gill. I was not picking on Jamaica in any way. You guys keep that in mind whenever I do say anything.

I think my issue is the in your face stuff. Yah, the dancing is one. My 4 year old niece did the wine one day and I nearly fell over. She's four, for God's sake. No child should know that stuff already. And, mind you, I know she doesn't really KNOW....but, still. It was very suggestive.

I'm not sure if I've watched the Passa Passa or not. I watched one video where some woman climbed up on pretty much everything and was hanging from the ceiling in the end. It was more then I cared for. Degrading is the only word I can think of most of the time.

I hear and see how the men....boys too; but mostly grown men look, act, and talk around and to my 16 year old SIL. I want to bash in some heads sometimes.

I sat around with some girls (women?) one day talking about girly things. One girl was a masseuse (sp?). She went into great detail about how much money she was making by offering "extras" with their massages. She so matter-of-factly stated facts. I probably had flies buzzing around my gaping mouth.

For me, in my life, it just isn't every day stuff. When I was in Jamaica, it seemed to be.

JG, when I said it was everywhere...I meant that I was looking into what you were saying ...like it's true sex really is everywhere in the Jamaican culture now...I definately wasn't picking on you Sweets. Sorry if I gave the impression.

Yeah the little girls wining up kills me...what's worst is when the mother's show them off proudly like..that is REALLY something to be proud of! Tell me your 2 times table or that you can read a Dr. Seuss book by yourself, at the age of 4 and that's what will impress me! Not that you taught your 4 year old daughter how fi do the Dutty Wine...in my eyes that a dyam good reason for me to call Child Protective Services!

Don't get me wrong Dancing is a huge part of our culture, but catching the riddim and know how to dance on beat as a 4 year old...what happened to those days!? Like does anyone remember Jamaican Festival following up to Independence and the traditional Jamaican folk dances...IT DOESN'T exsist anymore...a whole part of our history gone, because it's no longer popular.

Again, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be a hypocrite, cause trust me in a dark back corner of a dance with my Alize in one hand and Ken's waist in the other, I can put down apissa wine! But like Jonesie said there is a time and place for everything! But infront of the video light or a 4 year old child is not and will NEVER be one of them...at least in my opinion.

Blessed, Gill

Oh......now my eyes are lighting up like a child. Jamaican folk dances? I would love to see some of them. My Church is about 85% Latinos. Some of the folk dances they perform are incredible. I can only imagine.

Yes, that's what I have been trying to put into words....a time and a place for everything. And children being children for as long as possible. When did the entire world seem to stop caring what children are exposed to?

[*JG* 2]

I just finished watching the series...and I am so saddened by the hopelessness in their eyes. I cried when Ross asked one of the gunmen if they could picture a life without the gang wars...and he so no...that this life was not their dream...but they have to defend their turf.

I cried when I listened to the young man talk about losing his girl and unborn child. So truly heartwrenching.

What are they really defending? Turf is such a stupid word. It's not like one gang wants the land the other gang occupies. It's pretty much all the same landscape. Is it some silly sense of pride? I guess it is the bling. Too bad they are risking their lives everyday. Makes the bling very fleeting.

What broke my heart most was the way they casually talked about the innocent people caught in the crossfire. It was like they don't really matter at all.

[jawi876 2]

Mi deh yah (until lunch break over)

Mi knoa mi miss yuh...but whaa gwaan mi gyal?

[jawi876 2]

Yesterday morning, I kissed Andre as I was leaving for work. He had worked 3-12 the night before. When I kissed him, he jumped like a foot off the bed. He said he had been dreaming a cow licked his face just as I kissed him. Said I scared the ####### out of him. He is so goofy!

eeehhhnnnn??? LOL whaa im nyam fe suppa? Cowfoot soup? kikikiki

Wanna watch Curefest at home?

Ad is here: http://www.dancehallreggae.com/images/2007...6curefest1w.jpg

Broadcast is here: http://dancehallreggae.com/newsview.aspx?NewsID=294

just when mi wonda why mi rate yuh...yuh do tings like dis fe sweet mi. Tonks.

[luvtravlin 0]

They went on and on about their fine "boyfriends" and everything that happened on the trip. I asked how long that had been with their boyfriends...and all of them admitted that this was their first trip to Jamaica. When I asked them how they dealt with the attention from gigalos...they all looked at me like I had two heads and said what gigalos?

Oh boy I can already see how this is going to end. It's sad but I see it happen all the time while I'm down there. Last time, a guy on the beach was trying to get ME to give him money - even after I pointed out my JA husband napping on a nearby lounge chair He wanted me to sneak him $20 so he could get home. I told him to take a Juta bus or route taxi and no way would it cost him $20! That got rid of him!!

I have talked to a lot of men that have decided on this way of life in Ochi...of course most are gone now (some moved away to Kingston...got greencards...got ship work...or were actually murdered ). After the inital approach and me letting them know that it wasn't going down...we actually had some very enlightening conversations. I have watched some of them "work" and watched the women come and go...and be replaced by other women sometimes on the same trip. The men often have several women at one time that live in the US or Canada or the UK. I have tried talking to some of the ladies...but to no avail. It is amazing how defensive women can get when potential love is threatened. I don't try to tell the women that their relationship is not real...just try to have casual conversation about the possibility of meeting a hustler...and I get treated like I'm a man thief or something. The hustlers that I got to know over several trips, looked out for me, and let the "newbies" know that I wasn't buying. LOL

I have not had the best experiences in Jamaica either. I have almost been raped...three times. I have been called a lesbian...you name it. Some of the men can't believe that a woman (single or married) would return again and again and not be looking for the "hood". At one point, my bad experiences just trying to come to a place that I loved outweighed the good experiences and I made up my mind never to return. I am still deathly afraid of using a taxi driver that I don't know (even if a friend recommends them)...I won't do jet ski rides that require alone time with the guy...and will not visit the beach alone at dusk. Other than those precautions...I decided not to let a few bad mind people ruin something that truly brings me joy and peace in my life.

The guys I met years ago were much more civil and respectful...and actually respected me when I gave them a polite no...but was always open to conversation. The guys now are a lot more aggressive and angry and hostile....a fuse waiting to blow. So, I mind my business now and I don't talk to the women that are love interests at all now or the hustlers after the initial not interested.

I love my country and my country-men, but some of them can be so "ignorant". In their minds they are God's gift to women and how dare you rebuff their advances. Dem can call mi stuck up (though of course they will call you worse), but mi nah give dem de time of day, especially when them ready fi class yu because yu nuh talk to dem.

Jawi, I don't blame you for being as cautious as you are. A lot of people go on vacation and take down the guard that they regularly have, which will keep them away from danger (Natalie Holloway + a female journalist who went missing in Jamaica). As a tourist, you think the natives will take care of you, but too much bad mind people out deh. Yu haffi careful. I hope I never fall into that tourist trap and listen to my instincts.

I tell all of my clients that when you go away so a place you've never been and let your guard down....ever !

I know ALOT of people in Negril, from the locals (especially the beach area) to management staff at many of the hotels. When we (me, my son, my best friend and her husband) were in Negril 2 1/2 yrs ago ....my friend and husband were robbed at knife point on the beach....45 min before me, my son and Craig walked past the *same* area. She told everyone that we know in the area, about the incident and they were in shock! My best friend and I have been traveling to Jamaica for 10 1/2 yrs and her husband only goes once a year and is WAAAAY friendly. That particular night he had walked back to the room a couple of times and later we found out that he "made conversation" with some boys on the beach (that he didn't know) and we think that they are the ones that robbed them. My friend didn't recognize these young boys at all. Unfortunately it has left a terrible taste in their mouths that they haven't been back to visit since!!!

I've only been treated with disrespect by 2 losers in the 26x that I've been going to Jamaica and I just told them basically where to stick it !!!! The "gigalos" on the beach in Negril know me ...and have never approached me, from day one, with disrespect. I don't get bothered by anyone when I walk down the beach....ever. They've never asked me to buy ganga, or to buy this that or the other. Now, my best friend gets stalked by everyone cause she buys EVERYthing in sight and they think "she has money"!!! My son knows sooooo many darn people from all the years of playing soccer and volleyball on the beach, I feel like I'm with a flippin celebrity when we go for walks or out at night !! He goes to the bars at night with us and even some of the "ladies of the night" now know him....it's funny. They do not approach him, just rub his head and say hi ! Next trip, I'll have to keep a VERY close eye on those ladies...since he'll be 14 yrs old ! He hasn't been in 2 yrs .....and he's buggin the heck out of me as to when we're gonna go back !!!

Soon come, I say !

[*JG* 2]

Yesterday morning, I kissed Andre as I was leaving for work. He had worked 3-12 the night before. When I kissed him, he jumped like a foot off the bed. He said he had been dreaming a cow licked his face just as I kissed him. Said I scared the ####### out of him. He is so goofy!

eeehhhnnnn??? LOL whaa im nyam fe suppa? Cowfoot soup? kikikiki

Wanna watch Curefest at home?

Ad is here: http://www.dancehallreggae.com/images/2007...6curefest1w.jpg

Broadcast is here: http://dancehallreggae.com/newsview.aspx?NewsID=294

just when mi wonda why mi rate yuh...yuh do tings like dis fe sweet mi. Tonks.

Pssssfffffttttttttt! That doesn't even sound good.

[luvtravlin 0]

They went on and on about their fine "boyfriends" and everything that happened on the trip. I asked how long that had been with their boyfriends...and all of them admitted that this was their first trip to Jamaica. When I asked them how they dealt with the attention from gigalos...they all looked at me like I had two heads and said what gigalos?

Oh boy I can already see how this is going to end. It's sad but I see it happen all the time while I'm down there. Last time, a guy on the beach was trying to get ME to give him money - even after I pointed out my JA husband napping on a nearby lounge chair He wanted me to sneak him $20 so he could get home. I told him to take a Juta bus or route taxi and no way would it cost him $20! That got rid of him!!

I have talked to a lot of men that have decided on this way of life in Ochi...of course most are gone now (some moved away to Kingston...got greencards...got ship work...or were actually murdered ). After the inital approach and me letting them know that it wasn't going down...we actually had some very enlightening conversations. I have watched some of them "work" and watched the women come and go...and be replaced by other women sometimes on the same trip. The men often have several women at one time that live in the US or Canada or the UK. I have tried talking to some of the ladies...but to no avail. It is amazing how defensive women can get when potential love is threatened. I don't try to tell the women that their relationship is not real...just try to have casual conversation about the possibility of meeting a hustler...and I get treated like I'm a man thief or something. The hustlers that I got to know over several trips, looked out for me, and let the "newbies" know that I wasn't buying. LOL

I have not had the best experiences in Jamaica either. I have almost been raped...three times. I have been called a lesbian...you name it. Some of the men can't believe that a woman (single or married) would return again and again and not be looking for the "hood". At one point, my bad experiences just trying to come to a place that I loved outweighed the good experiences and I made up my mind never to return. I am still deathly afraid of using a taxi driver that I don't know (even if a friend recommends them)...I won't do jet ski rides that require alone time with the guy...and will not visit the beach alone at dusk. Other than those precautions...I decided not to let a few bad mind people ruin something that truly brings me joy and peace in my life.

The guys I met years ago were much more civil and respectful...and actually respected me when I gave them a polite no...but was always open to conversation. The guys now are a lot more aggressive and angry and hostile....a fuse waiting to blow. So, I mind my business now and I don't talk to the women that are love interests at all now or the hustlers after the initial not interested.

I love my country and my country-men, but some of them can be so "ignorant". In their minds they are God's gift to women and how dare you rebuff their advances. Dem can call mi stuck up (though of course they will call you worse), but mi nah give dem de time of day, especially when them ready fi class yu because yu nuh talk to dem.

Jawi, I don't blame you for being as cautious as you are. A lot of people go on vacation and take down the guard that they regularly have, which will keep them away from danger (Natalie Holloway + a female journalist who went missing in Jamaica). As a tourist, you think the natives will take care of you, but too much bad mind people out deh. Yu haffi careful. I hope I never fall into that tourist trap and listen to my instincts.

I tell all of my clients that when you go away so a place you've never been and let your guard down....ever !

I know ALOT of people in Negril, from the locals (especially the beach area) to management staff at many of the hotels. When we (me, my son, my best friend and her husband) were in Negril 2 1/2 yrs ago ....my friend and husband were robbed at knife point on the beach....45 min before me, my son and Craig walked past the *same* area. She told everyone that we know in the area, about the incident and they were in shock! My best friend and I have been traveling to Jamaica for 10 1/2 yrs and her husband only goes once a year and is WAAAAY friendly. That particular night he had walked back to the room a couple of times and later we found out that he "made conversation" with some boys on the beach (that he didn't know) and we think that they are the ones that robbed them. My friend didn't recognize these young boys at all. Unfortunately it has left a terrible taste in their mouths that they haven't been back to visit since!!!

I've only been treated with disrespect by 2 losers in the 26x that I've been going to Jamaica and I just told them basically where to stick it !!!! The "gigalos" on the beach in Negril know me ...and have never approached me, from day one, with disrespect. I don't get bothered by anyone when I walk down the beach....ever. They've never asked me to buy ganga, or to buy this that or the other. Now, my best friend gets stalked by everyone cause she buys EVERYthing in sight and they think "she has money"!!! My son knows sooooo many darn people from all the years of playing soccer and volleyball on the beach, I feel like I'm with a flippin celebrity when we go for walks or out at night !! He goes to the bars at night with us and even some of the "ladies of the night" now know him....it's funny. They do not approach him, just rub his head and say hi ! Next trip, I'll have to keep a VERY close eye on those ladies...since he'll be 14 yrs old ! He hasn't been in 2 yrs .....and he's buggin the heck out of me as to when we're gonna go back !!!

Soon come, I say !

Meant to say.........don't EVER let your guard down !!!!!

[*JG* 2]

They went on and on about their fine "boyfriends" and everything that happened on the trip. I asked how long that had been with their boyfriends...and all of them admitted that this was their first trip to Jamaica. When I asked them how they dealt with the attention from gigalos...they all looked at me like I had two heads and said what gigalos?

Oh boy I can already see how this is going to end. It's sad but I see it happen all the time while I'm down there. Last time, a guy on the beach was trying to get ME to give him money - even after I pointed out my JA husband napping on a nearby lounge chair He wanted me to sneak him $20 so he could get home. I told him to take a Juta bus or route taxi and no way would it cost him $20! That got rid of him!!

I have talked to a lot of men that have decided on this way of life in Ochi...of course most are gone now (some moved away to Kingston...got greencards...got ship work...or were actually murdered ). After the inital approach and me letting them know that it wasn't going down...we actually had some very enlightening conversations. I have watched some of them "work" and watched the women come and go...and be replaced by other women sometimes on the same trip. The men often have several women at one time that live in the US or Canada or the UK. I have tried talking to some of the ladies...but to no avail. It is amazing how defensive women can get when potential love is threatened. I don't try to tell the women that their relationship is not real...just try to have casual conversation about the possibility of meeting a hustler...and I get treated like I'm a man thief or something. The hustlers that I got to know over several trips, looked out for me, and let the "newbies" know that I wasn't buying. LOL

I have not had the best experiences in Jamaica either. I have almost been raped...three times. I have been called a lesbian...you name it. Some of the men can't believe that a woman (single or married) would return again and again and not be looking for the "hood". At one point, my bad experiences just trying to come to a place that I loved outweighed the good experiences and I made up my mind never to return. I am still deathly afraid of using a taxi driver that I don't know (even if a friend recommends them)...I won't do jet ski rides that require alone time with the guy...and will not visit the beach alone at dusk. Other than those precautions...I decided not to let a few bad mind people ruin something that truly brings me joy and peace in my life.

The guys I met years ago were much more civil and respectful...and actually respected me when I gave them a polite no...but was always open to conversation. The guys now are a lot more aggressive and angry and hostile....a fuse waiting to blow. So, I mind my business now and I don't talk to the women that are love interests at all now or the hustlers after the initial not interested.

I love my country and my country-men, but some of them can be so "ignorant". In their minds they are God's gift to women and how dare you rebuff their advances. Dem can call mi stuck up (though of course they will call you worse), but mi nah give dem de time of day, especially when them ready fi class yu because yu nuh talk to dem.

Jawi, I don't blame you for being as cautious as you are. A lot of people go on vacation and take down the guard that they regularly have, which will keep them away from danger (Natalie Holloway + a female journalist who went missing in Jamaica). As a tourist, you think the natives will take care of you, but too much bad mind people out deh. Yu haffi careful. I hope I never fall into that tourist trap and listen to my instincts.

I tell all of my clients that when you go away so a place you've never been and let your guard down....ever !

I know ALOT of people in Negril, from the locals (especially the beach area) to management staff at many of the hotels. When we (me, my son, my best friend and her husband) were in Negril 2 1/2 yrs ago ....my friend and husband were robbed at knife point on the beach....45 min before me, my son and Craig walked past the *same* area. She told everyone that we know in the area, about the incident and they were in shock! My best friend and I have been traveling to Jamaica for 10 1/2 yrs and her husband only goes once a year and is WAAAAY friendly. That particular night he had walked back to the room a couple of times and later we found out that he "made conversation" with some boys on the beach (that he didn't know) and we think that they are the ones that robbed them. My friend didn't recognize these young boys at all. Unfortunately it has left a terrible taste in their mouths that they haven't been back to visit since!!!

I've only been treated with disrespect by 2 losers in the 26x that I've been going to Jamaica and I just told them basically where to stick it !!!! The "gigalos" on the beach in Negril know me ...and have never approached me, from day one, with disrespect. I don't get bothered by anyone when I walk down the beach....ever. They've never asked me to buy ganga, or to buy this that or the other. Now, my best friend gets stalked by everyone cause she buys EVERYthing in sight and they think "she has money"!!! My son knows sooooo many darn people from all the years of playing soccer and volleyball on the beach, I feel like I'm with a flippin celebrity when we go for walks or out at night !! He goes to the bars at night with us and even some of the "ladies of the night" now know him....it's funny. They do not approach him, just rub his head and say hi ! Next trip, I'll have to keep a VERY close eye on those ladies...since he'll be 14 yrs old ! He hasn't been in 2 yrs .....and he's buggin the heck out of me as to when we're gonna go back !!!

Soon come, I say !

I've had some issues with some aggressive men here and there. The thing that freaked me out the most was:

Andre and I went out one night to Pier 1. It was early in our relationship and we wanted to be alone. It was late and we couldn't get any taxi out of downtown MoBay. Andre's friend, Brian, had a place on King Street. We stayed in this 1 room (bedroom/kitchen) apartment place with bars on the windows and doors. Brian's bed was right in front of the barred front window. A few days after that, someone looking for Brian's trouble making ###, shot through that same front window and completely tore up the bed. That very same bed we were in just a few days before.

Another friend died in a gunfight a few weeks later.

After that, I never wanted Andre to hang out around Brian again. (And mind you, they were school friends. They were drifting apart for years. Today, they barely talk at all.)

Just before we got his visa, Andre said another of his friends was killed while sleeping in his house. Shot 20 times. I came to visit shortly after and Andre's sister, Alicia, said she felt like whoever this was, was trying to kill all of Brian's friends and then get Brian. We actually put all the dogs out....unleashed, put up some outside lights, barred the gate, tied all the windows shut and blocked all the doors at night....something they didn't do before.

To this day, I think Andre would've died by now or, at the very least, would not survive to a ripe old age.

Men talking $(#@ on a beach, I can deal with. Guns are a whole 'nother thing.

[Jonesie 1]

Mi deh yah (until lunch break over)

Mi knoa mi miss yuh...but whaa gwaan mi gyal?

Right now mi listen to Sucky Ducky (Mr Vegas) you know I love old school dancehall

Mi you too mi gyal. Did you see the link for Curefest a few pages back?