I’ve decided there should be rules.
I’ve
thought for a while now that tourists are really the problem, but I have
started to see that becoming a resident or at least a long-term visitor can
still allow you to forget your manners.
So
here goes, for all of you planning a vacation or moving. (And I think this
applies even more if you are planning on being in a culture of people of
color).
RULE
#1: Remember, you are a visitor to someone else’s country, hence you are a
visitor to their home.
RULE
#2: It is not all about you. (Hard to believe I know)
RULE
#3: Yes, they appreciate your American or Canadian (or whichever country you
hail from) dollars, but just because you are spending money does not mean that
you can treat people with scorn or ridicule or without courtesy and dignity.
RULE
#4: The people who are cleaning your room or bussing your table really are not
getting paid enough for you to be snotty to them, or treat them as your
personal servants. They are doing a job, that’s all and doing it likely just
fine. You like it cleaner, don’t make such a big mess, clean it yourself or stay home and mess up your own house.
RULE
#5: Refer to rule #1.
RULE
#6: If having all the comforts of home,
including the very fastest high speed internet, a million TV channels with a
flat screen TV, the best “sleep number or memory foam” mattress, all the latest
appliances are really that important to you, then just stay home and use your
stuff there.
RULE
#7: The culture you are visiting is likely different than yours, respect that.
RULE
#8: If you are going to move to a foreign country to live it is your job to
adapt to their culture and way of life, not the other way around.
RULE
# 9: Please don’t embarrass me and other ex-pats who are trying to enjoy a
lovely life in another country and assimilate here. I’d prefer not to be
considered “the ugly American” because of your poor behavior.
RULE
#10: Just because there is a lot of alcohol available, does not mean you
necessarily need to drink a lot of alcohol and show off your not very good
dancing or singing skills in every beach bar you come across.
RULE
#11: If you must get drunk and loud, it becomes even more important that you
remember your manners and treat the locals with respect.
RULE
#12: Refer to Rule #1 again, must I remind you?
The
reasons for these rules? I have to admit, a woman I was speaking to the other
day hit a nerve. She was complaining, complaining about things just weren’t “as
promised” and just not good enough when she moved into her current place (a cabana/guest
house similar to mine but way bigger). But when I asked questions like is it
just that leasing company etc., she would say things like “no they're just
Belizean”, with a roll of her eyes and a big sigh. This is the same lady that
owns a high end condo here that she rents out. She comes to Belize for about 3
months out of the year and can’t “afford” to live in her own condo. So she
rents a one bedroom place for $600 a month and rents her condo for $5000 a
month. And she’s complaining about what?
Add
that to the number of times I’ve been around the beach bars when they are
filled with tourists drinking sweet drinks with four different kinds of
alcohol, a piece of fruit and an umbrella, and paying no attention to how
intoxicated they are and acting like ….. well, like asses.
My
limited experience here has been, the local people of Placencia are absolutely
lovely. Those that work in the service industry are generally really nice, try
their best to be helpful and want to see you enjoy your time in Belize. I have
run into a rude person here and there, certainly no more and likely much less
than I did in the states.
I
would like to continue to be welcomed here and in other countries I might visit
so I’d appreciate if you’d just abide by the rules when you come. Thanks.
Rules to live by!
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