Locals unfriendly?

[Wakey]

I'm happy this thread hasn't spiraled out of control!

I've had both, I really don't worry about it because it's the same just about anywhere you go.

If you set yourself in Island Time and greet people you generally get better treatment.

A better but different discussion in a different thread would be titled "Tourists Unfriendly?"

I think we all have many more of those stories to tell!

[Diana2]

I have rarely run into unfriendly people on STJ. There is one lady at St. John Car Rental who is rather grumpy and a couple of gals at Starfish but on the whole nearly everyone is very cordial. I try to be friendly and polite and that generally is returned in kind.

When we stayed on Tortola we encountered many unfriendly locals with the rare friendly locals being the exception to the rule.

Grumpy people are everywhere and the same goes for the friendly people. My rule is to not let the turkeys get me down.

[swoop]

I'd have to agree with most opinions here...that is you'll find rudeness anywhere.
However, if I were to compare STJ to other places I've been, the locals on STJ do seem more rude at times. For example, AND THIS IS ONLY MY EXPERIENCE, I've gone to a certain shop in Mongoose Junction to rent fins a few times. There is a woman there that is probably the most rude person I've ever met. Keeps me from ever renting there again...no matter how close to the villa it is. And trust me, I've tried the required "Good Afternoon" prior to requesting to rent fins. All I get is a feeling that she would rather have me anywhere than on her island.

As a point of comparison, I've been to Aruba many times and always found the locals there to be genuinely appreciative that your there because they know as a tourist, you are VITAL to their economy.

[Lindy]

I agree that some tourists expect to be treated like royalty for spending their money there. I like that St Johnians are polite and courteous but not swarming all over you like some places in the Bahamas, etc.
I've only run into two people on St John who were outright rude. One was a woman working in the ferry station several years ago. It was my first trip there and I was simply trying to ask her a question about the ferry service because I'd never done it before. She scolded me because she said it was too early to purchase the ferry ticket that I was asking about but I was simply trying to decide whether to buy a ticket to Red Hook or to Charlotte Amalie and had some questions. I'm sure they get their share of stupid questions all the time but they need to understand that not everyone is familiar with the way things work there and I did ask politely, not in a rude way. I've since learned that you do NOT ask about tickets to Red Hook when they're selling ticket to CA and vice versa! Islanders do not multitask and once you learn that everything makes sense. The second occassion was our last trip several months ago with some newbies who were trying to be helpful by pointing out dings in the rental car from Conrad Sutton. The woman working the counter that day seemed extremely resentful from the moment we stepped inside the door and even more resentful that she had to leave the air-conditioned shack to check over the cars in the lot. The newbies in our group were totally unfamiliar with the "loosie goosie" island ways and were used to be responsible for any amount of damage on their rental cars so were only trying to be thorough in pointing out scratches, dents, etc. She went off about how she felt we were implying that we were going to be gouged when we turned in the car. Things got even more heated when she played the race card which had absolutely nothing to do with what was going on! I was mortified because I'd been telling our friends how wonderful the people were on St John. You have that sort anywhere you go, but these two just seemed so out of sync with everyone else there.

[sherban]

I'd have to agree with most opinions here...that is you'll find rudeness anywhere.

As a point of comparison, I've been to Aruba many times and always found the locals there to be genuinely appreciative that your there because they know as a tourist, you are VITAL to their economy.

Ain't that the truth the people in Aruba are great...they will spoil you.

I like people everywhere...agree...ya usually get what you give.

[iowaguy]

I've had mostly good experiences ...with a few bad ones. I have also seen some appallingly rude tourists.

[Connie]

I wanted to add that I've seem some locals with the biggest smiles ever!! There's a guy on STT at Coki, we call him Dallas because he always had a Dallas Cowboy T-shirt on. What a great guy!!!

I've met probably the oldest man around the Islands, Charles at Sapphire who would tell story after story. We always go looking for him and he always remembers us.

There's also a great guy at Molly Mallone's. I just love the smiles. Give me a smile and you're my friend.

I love our porter at the STT airport. I can't think of her name right now, but we have her card and always ask for her.

I think once you get to know someone, the walls come down and you can have fun.

There are rude people everywhere and it can be annoying. I try to remember the mean people probably just need some medication.

Like MajoJim...smile

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

We've only had two bad experiences. Last trip, someone from Cap's threw a peach pit at the side of our jeep. The other is with the check out people at Starfish...they used to tend to be rude, even if I said "good morning" and was friendly. We commented last trip, however, that they seemed nicer. I wonder if they got a talking to.

But, as others have mentioned, there are rude people everywhere...well, not here, not in the midwest.

[BuffaloGal]

Like most, I've had good and bad experiences - far more good than bad. I think the bad stick out for two reasons: it's not the norm; and the place is paradise to us, so it's hard to imagine being really grumpy! I'm sure they get their fill of idiot tourists, though. I've certainly seen plenty of them, particularly at Trunk Bay, where I must admit we encountered one of the most surly women in St. John at the snack bar!

[XOXO]

I thought the locals in St. John were great. Really, pay attention to a persons body language and prepare yourself accordingly.

The people in Puerto Rico really seemed like they disliked us. They were a little bit rude, but that didn't bother me as much as the feeling that they wanted us out.

Aruba is friendly?? I wouldn't have guessed that. My opinion stems from Natalie Halloway's mom and the interviews she gave.

Gina

[soxfan22]

I agree with Pip...The "good morning, good afternoon, etc" is really a game changer - at least in my experience. I really don't remember meeting anyone that I would consider rude on island, and most have always been very friendly...Especially when one follows the customary greeting!

[soxfan22]

The other is with the check out people at Starfish...they used to tend to be rude, even if I said "good morning" and was friendly.

My thought on this (and not disagreeing with you Pete, just an observation) is that people here in CT are rude when they ring up my groceries...These folks live there, they are human...they have good days and bad. As long as people aren't overtly rude or insulting, I could care less really. WE expect everyone to be happy there all of the time, but in reality, they're wondering how they're going to pay the electric bill too...They just happen to be doing so in paradise!

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

beg to differ...the Starfish check out women were routinely the most rude people we ever encountered. As I said, however, they seem to have improved.

[seagrape]

Having a villa on island, and visiting three times a year, there's one thing you must do - to everyone - to make the climate warm and friendly. Greet people with these actual words, even if the people don't seem friendly. It's a St. John custom. You may see a warm smile you weren't expecting!

Good Morning - Good Afternoon - Good Day - Good Evening

It's just what we do down there. When we get home, we do it by habit. People look at us like we have three heads! Believe it or not, we have greeted tourists on St. John this way and got the same odd look we get at home.

When in Rome...

Seagrape

[Lex]

Guy Benjamin has written about the importance of the formal greeting in West Indian culture. But these greetings don't serve as passwords or secret words that will get me through the cultural door. It's really part of a whole manner of communication---one that is reserved, respectful and unhurried, one that recognizes and engages another person. The casualness (not to mention the impatience) of folks from the mainland can appear quite rude to West Indians. Mr. Benjamin observes that just because I say "Good Morning" to someone, that won't necessarily make them want to be my friend, but it will demonstrate that I was properly.