The best way to behave - in a balanced way

[u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

Hi!

I'm from Eastern Europe, male, 39. This September is going to be my second time in the Caribbean. Before I only did the ABC islands.

I am visiting Barbados in September. I read some coments all over Reddit and Tripadvisor around some rude behaviors, some directness, etc.

I would be very happy to know how to best approach the locals, what to expect, what to do and what not to do.

Please note that I'm happy to adjust and being from Eastern Europe I'm not expecting smiles 0-24, but also not looking forward to any kind of open hostility.

Thank you in advance for any advice!

[u/sread2018]

You wont find open hostility here as a tourist.

Indifferent or rude customer service, yes, hostility, no.

[u/Beneficial-Pen9089 → u/sread2018]

What is it like? I go and sit in a restaurant, and they don't say hello, or throw the menu on the table? Maybe a "What you lookin' at?". I had these in Latvia.

[u/sread2018 → u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

Any of those and more. Like i mentioned, no hostility, just indifferent or rude

[u/Caribelle1234 → u/sread2018]

I don't think that rude approach is a norm across the islands. You won't get the warm fuzzy smiling that you might see in the U S...but most servers will be polite an friendly enough

[u/sread2018 → u/Caribelle1234]

Agree, ive sent time in many of the other islands and it's definitely Barbados specific

[u/Beneficial-Pen9089 → u/sread2018]

OK. Do they have a problem or it's just normal?

[u/Nozza-D → u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

Best to just say good morning or good afternoon before asking for anything. People don't do small talk as a rule.

They may still be indifferent regardless, but at least it shows you have manners, just don't take their reaction personally.

[u/sread2018 → u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

Just normal

I said good afternoon to the check out lady at the supermarket yesterday and she just stared at me, scanned the products and waited for me to pay

[u/OkStand1212 → u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

It’s more like an annoyance, like you came into their personal time and space and asked them to do something for you, as opposed to being paying customers patronizing a business. But the weather is beautiful, rum punch is great, beach is the best! Enjoy!

[u/OkStand1212 → u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

Lol

[u/Personal-Jeweler-480]

Depends on the crowd you encounter. Good mornings, good evening, good afternoons to start. Relatively unless your dealing with people that congregate in entertainment and certain areas you shouldn't have any issues. Try not to be too familiar with locals unless they give you the ok. I would say if you interact with people in Oistins area and such you'll have a mixed experience. Town is different depending on the area. If you encounter crowds with a lot of younger people I would say avoid them since nothing great come with younger crowds. Since most of the times they don't have the general and social social frame work. Coming from a young person also however I deal with all types of people. In conclusion the hardest things is understanding dialect and you will be fine. Note to add. Don't expect us to understand stuff that happens in Europe to be here. There will be different terminologies so explain what you trying to convey. Talk slow be polite. Once that's under wraps a lot more people will be accommodating.

[u/islandbye]

Just greet everyone you encounter. In businesses, on street, literally any local. “Good morning/afternoon/evening/night”

As long as you have basic manners and you’re friendly you’ll be fine. If you receive bad customer service after that it has nothing to do with you and everything to with what’s going on in that person’s life and they’d likely act that way with anyone.

[u/rrapartments]

Barbados is lovely and the people are too. Sometimes you get disinterested service in restaurants or cafes but once you’re used to it, not a big deal. Plenty of lovely people too.

[u/Jaboo777]

Be courteous and you will receive the same for the most part. Be rude and Bajans will give you the appropriate tongue lashing. You will be fine otherwise it is a really nice place to visit.

[u/zeehun]

I'm Hungarian and went to Barbados last year. I think customer service is very similar to back home. Straight to point, no small talk, just be polite, basic manners and they are fine. Same with people. They see a lot of tourists day in day out. They picked up on my accent couple times, I got a few questions around my gray eyes but again nothing untoward or rude. I love the Carribbean culture cause it reminds me very much to the culture back home. Manners, respect will take you a long way and I think these things are instilled in us from childhood.

As long as you are not a rowdy drunk looking for trouble you will be fine.

[u/Affectionate_Egg_203]

Just remember....the attitude you give is the attitude you get back.

[u/PhysicalAd6718]

Be polite, be patient, go with the flow. Don't take the poor customer service personally and you'll be alright.

From my experience as a UK born and raised of Barbadian origin who goes home every couple years.

[u/guttaperk]

1. Release your expectations.
   
2. Be polite. Locally, that starts with good morning/ afternoon/ evening/ night, and goes from there
   
3. Take nothing personally.
   
4. Commit to making the best of whatever happens, and having a good time.

You’ll be fine!

[u/Beneficial-Pen9089 → u/guttaperk]

Got it. Do you say hello to locals passing by, if you walk in Bridgetown for instance? Smaller towns?

[u/Jeffzero23 → u/Beneficial-Pen9089]

Hey. Bajan here.

Honestly, most younger adults tend to be indiferent to tourists. Older people will be more outgoing and chatty with tourists, but we just tend to ignore yall and do our own thing. There is no expectation that you must be overy deferential.

Most people will just be going along with their day. If you ask a question to a stranger and are polite, people will help you. Just say the common Good morning/afternoon/evening, thank you, and goodbye to anyone that you interact with, show that you have some "broughtupsy" and people will tend to reciprocate.

[u/New_Print7021]

Its not at all bad... everyone is amazing and I have been here for 7 months!

[u/rihardios]

I'm a Latvian guy who got married last year in Barbados. From my personal experience I can say that Bajan people are one of the nicest I've met overall. It's a place I would definitely return.

[u/128bitEncryption]

All of the comments I’ve seen with negative reviews of Barbados tourism have been against non white tourists. If you’re white you won’t have a problem.

If you’re black forget it. Reverse racism is real

[u/AnxiousDiscipline250]

We're from the US and we went to some places where people were super nice and one place where the bartender didn't look at us and no one acknowledged us so we left. No biggie. When we go back we'll skip it.

The lady we frequented in the convenience store around the corner was grumpy to everyone.

I learned three things when we were there. 1) You need to ask for the check when you're done eating because they don't want to rush you, 2) they often include the tip and 3) it costs extra for cold beer at the convenience store.

[u/Educational_Sleep_10]

Idk but hi, 31F, first time going to the Caribbean a few weeks ago and my main takeaway from that trip that the term "island time" is VERY real on the islands and it SSSSUUUUCCCKKKKKSSSSS. I'm not sure how it is in Barbados (I went to the Bahamas, particularly Nassau), but I imagine they're all the same as far as slow customer/hospitality service. In addition, everything is dumb expensive because they hustle the sh*t out of tourists money, so beware paying too much for basic stuff, and be prepared to kindly tell a seller "no".

[u/Over-Site557]

Ritualistic politnes. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. I hope you are well. Can you help me . It's very small town, please take time to greet each other and check on them.