LOL and its not only contained to Negril. LOL I had a dude walk me to the store in Ochi after dark, I didn't ask, he just followed. And at the end of the journey I KNEW there would be money involved....unfortunately I wasn't brave enough to tell him to take a hike when I was stuck out after dark. LOL. The guy even had the nerve, after I paid him, to tell me it wasn't enough!

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WTF? Are you serious...damn!
I'd be too scared my first visit to walk alone after dark, but that's only because I wouldn't be familiar with the environment yet. Hell I don't walk alone after dark in my own neighborhood!

***note to self***
Carry extra singles and be prepared to "over-tip" your unofficial escort home.

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One smile from her & my troubles melt away!

LOL - I wouldn't suggest that - If you develop an unwanted escort, grab a cab and make sure he doesn't hop in with you - You don't want him knowing where you stay, or you will find him waiting for you on the beach the next am, at the front gate, etc... especially if you tipped him!

I had a man try to see me weed in front of the craft market in ochi - when I said no thanks, I don't smoke it, he went into a screaming tirade on me about how cigarettes will kill you, and I need to go back from where I came from and stop disrespecting his culture!

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Fortunately RD, that didn't happen. He never showed up again. And I don't advise it either LOL but a girl needs her Coke to mix with her rum!!!!

I was a little leary about it only because it was my first time in Ochi, but 5th time in JA. So I knew what to watch for but that didn't matter, he took me deep into town to find a store that was open. In hindsight, very unadvisable.

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Thanks ladies.
Honestly as "street smart" as I'd like to think I was, I would have honestly thought he was being genuinely nice, and let him lead the way. Wouldn't that be something if he offered his palm afterwards for payment, and my silly butt gave him a slap like a high five.
Good thing I'm reading all the posts on here and other boards...I'm taking madd mental notes!

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One smile from her & my troubles melt away!

ROTFL @ the high five!!!!!!

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I would have totally went on my trip with stars in my eyes, thinking every dude really did want to show me around, not knowing the ulterior motives that lay beneath. (Planning on doing the solo trip thing this December, just waiting until this new job pans out before I book the ticket. I'm in the midst of drug testing, background check, etc.)

But don't get me wrong, I'm also not going to let these preconceived notions hinder me from meeting great people, I'm just going to be AWARE of my surroundings and the people I choose to mingle with.

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One smile from her & my troubles melt away!

Ragga we should be clear, not ALL of them are like this. I could tell this guy was like that by the way he was dressed. He was in it for the money, which if I helped him out, is fine with me. If he had been better dressed I know he woulda been in it for a little something else. LOL.

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Well at least you got your coke right? LOL.

I can only go and see for myself, and come up with my own "tips" for the next newbie. What works for some, may not work for many...I'll have to make those mistakes/decisions on my own.

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One smile from her & my troubles melt away!

That's the exact attitude, Ragga - I have met and befriended some of the biggest hustlers out there - but they know that stuff is not gonna fly with me. I have also met some great people, and been given a necklace by a friend (no expectation of any return), an extra bracelet from a crafter that I frequent,..... lots of great experiences.

To me, the characters are what make a big part of the trip - Especially in Negril, lots a dreads (teethless, cross eyed, dirty ones, lol) who hang around the tourist spots and come up with great lines about how they want you to sit on their face (usually said soon after hello) - definitely makes for a laugh for the night.

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Same....and then they end up being great peeps.

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ROTFL

Girl you killn me here...good thing no one is in the office today!

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One smile from her & my troubles melt away!

LOLLOL in all my days I was never lucky enough to have THAT proposal

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LOL - That proposal actually was made to my friend by a really dirty smelly man - He had stuff stuck in his dreads. She lived with a Jamaican for years here, and he was a fool - but nothing we ever said to her would convince her that he was wierd, and what he was telling her that JA men do and don't do wouldn't apply to everyone - So when this guy said this, my other friends and I fell out laughing, because she ALWAYS insisted that a JA man would never do that!

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I'm rolling at the toothless.....smelly....stuff stuck in his dreads parts!

I have to agree....you've never really heard a line, till you've heard a JA man say it. What they come up with are sometimes so out there!

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If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive