USVI-On-Line

I have worked enough service jobs to tell the difference between someone having an off day and outright meaness and scorn djmom mentions.

We have experienced both on STJ but unfortunately, the meaness and scorn hurts (for lack of a better word)more than the bad day experiences.

Half of my family is not American, I have lived in a different country and visited enough other places to “get” cultural differences. In our personal experiences, I don’t give too much weight to the “well maybe you aren’t saying good morning the right way” behavioral excuse.

It doesn’t deter us from visiting, I just chalk it up to one of the odd features of the island. I do feel sorry for new visitors that don’t know what to expect.

I will say when we visited Virgin Gorda, we were blown away by the warm and friendliness of the residents. It was a completely different experience.

Interesting - do many people feel as if gruff service is a feature of St. John? I have actually had the opposite experience. I find the people on St. John to be much nicer than those in the Bahamas, St. Martin, etc. I've found the friendliest folks to be on Aruba and Anguilla (where they protect their local non-tourist economy very strongly). I am trying to remember where I have received gruff service... at a small beach shop in Mongoose Junction once and maybe in the checkout line at Starfish?

We've had some issues with poor customer service on St. John unfortunately; primarily Uncle Joe's-I've given up on it for our next trip and will try Candi's. We've had very good interactions on St. Thomas with many different people; also enjoyed dealing with different people on Antigua, St. Lucia and Grenada when we've been exploring on cruise stops. I work in retail and understand "off" days so will always try places more than once. When they're consistently "off" then then I don't go back.

California Girl wrote:I have to say I've never experienced any of these attitudes on St. John, or anywhere else in the VIs. I always begin a conversation with a smile on my face and I try not to interrupt anyone in the middle of another transaction to ask a question. I know there must be some "attitude" out there, but I just haven't run into it, I guess.

I'm with Cowgirl on this. Other then one incidence, in numerous trips I have found the service people to be terrific. Once in a while I've seen a young, white statesider, ex-pat be a little full of themselves regarding their "local" status, but I even find them humorous. As far as younger "indigenous" people having an attitude and not being thankful for your tourist dollar? Think about it. The tourist dollar is chasing the average, younger West Indian off the island. How are they to afford to stay there? Honestly, outside of Caneel Bay, the Westin, Sputniks, and Sweet Plantains, how many W.I. servers/bartenders have any of us had on STJ in recent memory? For a few successful WI's the tourist money is wonderful. For a growing number of youthful, "indigenous" islanders their days of living on their ancestor's island are over. I do believe that there is no hope regarding the future for many of them, so yes there is attitude against the tourist, and their money. Is their anger justified? Certainly there is no justification for some of the actions by a few.
Like I said, I personally have had great experiences with most folks that I've encountered on STJ.Honestly, I've been much more turned off by the demanding "attitude" of many of the statesider tourists. That said, I find the overwelming majority of tourists, locals, service people,merchants, etc. to be some of the most delightful people that I've ever encountered. That' one of the reasons why I'll always have a soft spot for St. John!

Someone has to explain to me where CAGirl became CowGirl... Anywho, her statement about interrupting someone else's transaction and waiting for one's turn is true everywhere.  Well said CAGirl...or CowGirl?  I work in human resources.  If I'm mean, ugly, rude or otherwise, on the phone, email or in person, I'm pulled aside and spoken to about adjusting my attitude.  I celebrate not having any of those "pull aside" discussions in several years.  Maybe we mellow as we age?

my experience has basically been with the older ones, not the younger ones, and again...just a few places...and my original post was just really reflecting on some prior posts where people felt "happy" when the tough guys were nice to them...I just felt like everyone should be nice and we shouldn't have to work so hard for "approval".

Again, I was just referring to a few businesses.

I think it would have to be incredibly frustrating to live on the island and watch the tourists...I just wish that the VI government would take better care of their own. I think there has got to be an incredible amount of corruption as the tourist $ coming in (taxes, etc..) has got to be enough to support at least a decent education for these children and basic sports equipment for goodness sakes. And to build a freakin roundabout or whatever shouldn't take years.

And I think that maybe general frustration gets pointed at the tourist as they are the the ones who are noticed and clearly have $, while maybe the Govt is more to blame.

I am sure they feel helpless.

I really like the efforts for school supplies, Christmas gifts taken through the forum as I think that if children learn we love them and their island, perhaps we catch them before their hearts are hardened.

djmom wrote:Just noticed some similarities between some of our favorite places and a favorite show.

It is a little odd to me that we have to walk on eggshells where we are spending our $.

By walking on eggshells, I am not talking about extending the common courtesies expected in the islands. That should be the way we conduct ourselves. We need to learn these customs (good morning, appropriate attire, etc...) and act appropriately.

But it is almost like we have to beg for approval from some of these vendors...

PLEASE LIKE ME! PLEASE LET ME SPEND MY MONEY AT YOUR...(insert business name here).

I have been using the "Soup Nazis" for years to describe the attitude of more than a few places in the Islands. Ever been to customs in Soper's Hole? It's the worst!! Uncle Joe's is a bad one, the beach bar is another one, but there are also several on STT.

Having said that, it would never stop me from going there, and it just makes me want to be even nicer to them, just to see their reaction.

It almost sounds like some of y'all are visiting a different place than my family. We're routinely treated politely and with respect. I wonder if the difference is our experience or our expectations?

Cheers, RickG

I'm with RickG. Most people I've met on Island I call my friend by the time I'm done dealing with them. I have met some great friends over the years!

I do believe that some of the West Indian people are taken the wrong way - people take their lack of words or rough words for ignorance or anger. I had a Grandpa who never said a whole lot and when he did, it was usually in a "mean" tone. I learned real quick that it was just his way.

XOXO
Bug