Beware of Police Officers in St Lucia Cities
Feb 26th, 2006, 04:10 PM
#22
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Oh, I've had some bad girl postings this week.
New puppy, sleep deprivation and the need for some sunshine.
I've been into the Merlot, so I can totally identify. (Trying to put off the inevitability of Monday I guess!)
Santa, no problem, mon. We can just count down the days until our next trip south. April 19th for me, what about you and faithie?
Santa, you need to make sure to get plenty of travel time in before your high season gets ramped up for you and the elves!
New puppy, sleep deprivation and the need for some sunshine.
I've been into the Merlot, so I can totally identify. (Trying to put off the inevitability of Monday I guess!)
Santa, no problem, mon. We can just count down the days until our next trip south. April 19th for me, what about you and faithie?
Santa, you need to make sure to get plenty of travel time in before your high season gets ramped up for you and the elves!
Feb 26th, 2006, 07:16 PM
#24
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I find it distressing that some people talk about the "Caribbean" as if it's all one country and culture.
The islands are very different, one from another, and lumping them all together, assuming corruption and taking advantage of tourists is the price one has to pay to travel there, is absolutely not true.
If you put up with that to go to a place you love, that's your decision. But to imply that it's common almost everywhere is simply not true.
cw
The islands are very different, one from another, and lumping them all together, assuming corruption and taking advantage of tourists is the price one has to pay to travel there, is absolutely not true.
If you put up with that to go to a place you love, that's your decision. But to imply that it's common almost everywhere is simply not true.
cw
Feb 27th, 2006, 04:11 AM
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hey there, CQs. i'd like to get in on a GTG, since that whole pah-ty on my private yacht fell through. SVG or anyplace else is fine with me. Diana, where are you headed in April? And what kind of sweet pup are you the new mama of? My husband and I are working on week 3 of our most recent dog adoption, and she is WAY more than we bargained for!
Feb 27th, 2006, 04:39 AM
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OK I'm going to chime in too here.
Diana, robbing tourists is Not a "Caribbean tradition". I've visited many islands, including St. Lucia (where I picked up a hitch-hiker who turned into my political "guide" who then demanded $20 in payment for his services. We ejected him from the car after giving him $20 EC, and having him demand we give him $20 US instead). In 25 years, that's the only time it's ever happened. Most of the time, locals want to Help you, give you directions, or sell you something. NOT ROB YOU!
It sucks, I don't like it, and I don't find it quaint, or cute, or necessary. I'm absolutely sure the Tourism Ministers hate it too.
Diana, robbing tourists is Not a "Caribbean tradition". I've visited many islands, including St. Lucia (where I picked up a hitch-hiker who turned into my political "guide" who then demanded $20 in payment for his services. We ejected him from the car after giving him $20 EC, and having him demand we give him $20 US instead). In 25 years, that's the only time it's ever happened. Most of the time, locals want to Help you, give you directions, or sell you something. NOT ROB YOU!
It sucks, I don't like it, and I don't find it quaint, or cute, or necessary. I'm absolutely sure the Tourism Ministers hate it too.
Feb 27th, 2006, 05:10 AM
#28
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Funny thing about sites like this . We all interpret things a different way . You read Dianas post one way , I read it another ...... How " I " read her post was that this type of thing could " Possibly " happen in quite a few Caribbean locations . I did not get the feeling she thought it quaint or charming , nor that she thought it OK . But that it was simply a possibility , and to be aware of that . She made the statement that these officers sre generally not very well paid , and some choose to supplement their income in less desirous ways . It was not a nice thing . I am glad the OP posted the info. To me her point was that if police corruption and issues like this are your fear , quite possibly your islands become limited as it could technically happen anywhere . Do you have certainty it will NOT happen on a island ?
Feb 27th, 2006, 05:32 AM
#29
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Faithie, I agree about the meaning being different on the internet - those facial expressions etc are missing. I guess the part of the story where she buys the guy a drink after he forgets to rob her made me think Diana is OK with this behavior. I'm one of those type A people who would get red in the face and sit as far away as possible if I saw the guy sitting there...the last thing I'd do is buy him a drink.
Feb 27th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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Some experiences in St Lucia
1) Got conned in 2000 by chap wanting us to contribute to his Children's cricket team! We had a good afternoon with him in Castries including a great lunch, the location of which, we would not have known about without his help. However, having paid for his lunch and contributed to his "team" he then wanted money as our guide. We offered to take his photograph as he had been "so nice to us" and he disappeared rather quicky. We put it down to experience.
2) A few years ago we bought some beads off a local seller. After some cruise ship people saw us buying they felt confident enough to do the same and he sold quite a bit of his stock.
Later on in one of the local bars the same beadseller happended to be there. He insisted on buying us drinks and introduced us to his friends, who were all good fun. He said we had bought him luck and he wanted to say thanks. At no point that evening did he try to get any money off us!
1) Got conned in 2000 by chap wanting us to contribute to his Children's cricket team! We had a good afternoon with him in Castries including a great lunch, the location of which, we would not have known about without his help. However, having paid for his lunch and contributed to his "team" he then wanted money as our guide. We offered to take his photograph as he had been "so nice to us" and he disappeared rather quicky. We put it down to experience.
2) A few years ago we bought some beads off a local seller. After some cruise ship people saw us buying they felt confident enough to do the same and he sold quite a bit of his stock.
Later on in one of the local bars the same beadseller happended to be there. He insisted on buying us drinks and introduced us to his friends, who were all good fun. He said we had bought him luck and he wanted to say thanks. At no point that evening did he try to get any money off us!
Feb 27th, 2006, 06:48 AM
#31
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CW AND Joan,
I agree with you totally! Just as shopping is different from one store to another, so are the islands! St. Lucia is the ONLY island I have ever encountered theft on. Nevis on the other hand felt so safe that we - for the first time ever - actually left all our cameras by our beach chairs every day while we went to lunch. Not that I recommend it, but it is the difference in the islands! And, I agree, unlike Diana, I would never have bought that cop a drink! For what? For rewarding him for trying to rip me off? Never in a million years! I have a BIL that was a cop for a lot of years. Believe me when I say that he never got paid what he should have for what he went through, but he never resorted to bad tactics because of it. I'm aware that when I travel I'm not in my own town anymore, but I use my head, and I don't have to return to any island to give them anymore of my money once they choose to exhibit this type of behavior.
I agree with you totally! Just as shopping is different from one store to another, so are the islands! St. Lucia is the ONLY island I have ever encountered theft on. Nevis on the other hand felt so safe that we - for the first time ever - actually left all our cameras by our beach chairs every day while we went to lunch. Not that I recommend it, but it is the difference in the islands! And, I agree, unlike Diana, I would never have bought that cop a drink! For what? For rewarding him for trying to rip me off? Never in a million years! I have a BIL that was a cop for a lot of years. Believe me when I say that he never got paid what he should have for what he went through, but he never resorted to bad tactics because of it. I'm aware that when I travel I'm not in my own town anymore, but I use my head, and I don't have to return to any island to give them anymore of my money once they choose to exhibit this type of behavior.
Feb 27th, 2006, 06:57 AM
#32
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Toddon14th: Thanks for sharing. It will make people more aware of what to watch out for. Fortunately, we didn't have any mishaps in St. Lucia. One of the things that has always bugged me about rental cars in some countries is how they're clearly marked that they're rental cars. That basically advertises the fact that you're a tourist. Makes one an easy target in countries that have corruption problems. Hopefully, this was your first and last time experiencing something like this.
Feb 27th, 2006, 07:00 AM
#33
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Some very interesting additions to this thread since last night...
faithie, there's a lot to see on/around PEI. You're lucky!
You are right about my post. I don't condone graft/bribes, I just know it goes on a lot more than people would think and we have made our decision to have our own way of dealing with it. I've spent a lot of time on many different islands and seen mostly minor stuff - which I DO not believe is uncommon.
cw, I've been to 30+ Caribbean islands, so I'm pretty familiar with the region. It's not at all unusual when you spend 2+ months a year there to come across a waiter who overcharges (unwittingly or not), a baggage handler who insists on $2 per bag, having to haggle over taxi fare because it is "$5 per person, not for the trip." This happens everywhere on the planet.
Do I think Caribbean people are dishonest? Absolutely not - I think they are some of the most honest and hardworking people on the planet.
BUT, many of the islands are extremely poor, and a FEW people come up with creative ways of getting a few bucks here and there. A lot of tourists are VERY cheap.
Does this keep me from going to the region? Obviously not.
joan, I didn't use the word "rob." You make my point by admitting you have encountered that type of experience as well. You deal with things the way you want to, and I'll handle them in my own way. I try very hard not to get red-faced on vacation.
ej - we picked up our new Doberman puppy - Kyra - two weeks ago. She is 12 weeks. Along with our Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe, two rescue cats and three horses, our menagerie continues to grow! What kind of doggie did you get?
We are headed back to Grenada/Grenadines in April. We are going to finalize the purchase of property on which to build - the realization of years of a dream. We're excited.
I'm also thrilled to be spending two days with my CCF child on Dominica! I have been sponsoring him for 8 years, and I just can't wait to meet him and his family!
Knowing, just fyi, we have spent a bit of time on Nevis (more than a month total), and we ran across the same types of things there. We were sitting in Oualie beach's bar and made a new friend who took us to a local party. He indicated we should pay for his drinks since he got us into the party. A big deal? Not for us.
It really surprises me that some of you people who get all uptight about these kinds of things choose to travel in the Caribbean. The speed at which things move must make you insane.
But then again, it's fun to hear the locals talk about your behavior too.
faithie, there's a lot to see on/around PEI. You're lucky!
You are right about my post. I don't condone graft/bribes, I just know it goes on a lot more than people would think and we have made our decision to have our own way of dealing with it. I've spent a lot of time on many different islands and seen mostly minor stuff - which I DO not believe is uncommon.
cw, I've been to 30+ Caribbean islands, so I'm pretty familiar with the region. It's not at all unusual when you spend 2+ months a year there to come across a waiter who overcharges (unwittingly or not), a baggage handler who insists on $2 per bag, having to haggle over taxi fare because it is "$5 per person, not for the trip." This happens everywhere on the planet.
Do I think Caribbean people are dishonest? Absolutely not - I think they are some of the most honest and hardworking people on the planet.
BUT, many of the islands are extremely poor, and a FEW people come up with creative ways of getting a few bucks here and there. A lot of tourists are VERY cheap.
Does this keep me from going to the region? Obviously not.
joan, I didn't use the word "rob." You make my point by admitting you have encountered that type of experience as well. You deal with things the way you want to, and I'll handle them in my own way. I try very hard not to get red-faced on vacation.
ej - we picked up our new Doberman puppy - Kyra - two weeks ago. She is 12 weeks. Along with our Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe, two rescue cats and three horses, our menagerie continues to grow! What kind of doggie did you get?
We are headed back to Grenada/Grenadines in April. We are going to finalize the purchase of property on which to build - the realization of years of a dream. We're excited.
I'm also thrilled to be spending two days with my CCF child on Dominica! I have been sponsoring him for 8 years, and I just can't wait to meet him and his family!
Knowing, just fyi, we have spent a bit of time on Nevis (more than a month total), and we ran across the same types of things there. We were sitting in Oualie beach's bar and made a new friend who took us to a local party. He indicated we should pay for his drinks since he got us into the party. A big deal? Not for us.
It really surprises me that some of you people who get all uptight about these kinds of things choose to travel in the Caribbean. The speed at which things move must make you insane.
But then again, it's fun to hear the locals talk about your behavior too.
Feb 27th, 2006, 07:52 AM
#34
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ooh, Diana, I am so envious! But I thought for sure when you bought property that it would be Nevis since you've indicated that in the past. Good for y'all! On some future date you'll have to host the Caribbean GTG.
We rescued a 2 year old female American Mastiff--already had an elderly neutered male English mastiff at home. Our first encounter was a beauty but since then she's exhibited tons of behavioral issues. She also came to us unspayed and with several infections, so we've got our hands full. Neither my husband nor I have ever had experience with this level of behavior problems, so we're working with a trainer. It's really eye-opening, frustrating, and exhausting!
We rescued a 2 year old female American Mastiff--already had an elderly neutered male English mastiff at home. Our first encounter was a beauty but since then she's exhibited tons of behavioral issues. She also came to us unspayed and with several infections, so we've got our hands full. Neither my husband nor I have ever had experience with this level of behavior problems, so we're working with a trainer. It's really eye-opening, frustrating, and exhausting!
Feb 27th, 2006, 08:05 AM
#35
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ej, Yes, we had decided on Nevis and were in the final stages of purchase. We had our lot surveyed and the house plans bought and all of the contracting lined up.
The animal quarantine issue (6 months) and the 18% tax, and the "must build within a certain time frame" mandate was a problem, along with the lack of diving and snorkeling in the area. We just decided that there must be a place that had all that we want, and we have found it.
Oh, I am so sorry about your dog experience. That must be so frustrating for you. We went and looked at several JRT and Doberman rescues, and it seemed like they all had major "issues." With our cats, we just could not afford to have something that we could not trust with them.
One of our rescue kitties has been a challenge, so I can only imagine what you are going through.
You are VERY smart to work with a trainer. Best of luck, and I'm sure you will get through it. She is lucky to have found you.
The animal quarantine issue (6 months) and the 18% tax, and the "must build within a certain time frame" mandate was a problem, along with the lack of diving and snorkeling in the area. We just decided that there must be a place that had all that we want, and we have found it.
Oh, I am so sorry about your dog experience. That must be so frustrating for you. We went and looked at several JRT and Doberman rescues, and it seemed like they all had major "issues." With our cats, we just could not afford to have something that we could not trust with them.
One of our rescue kitties has been a challenge, so I can only imagine what you are going through.
You are VERY smart to work with a trainer. Best of luck, and I'm sure you will get through it. She is lucky to have found you.
Feb 27th, 2006, 12:53 PM
#36
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We had the same thing happen to us in Cancun...driving along, minding our own business, policeman standing on side of road waved us over...told us we were "speeding". Husband argued with him and got out his wallet to give him his driver's license. Policeman had no interest in his license but pointed out the $20 bill in his wallet and told him that would take care of the fine. He gave it to him, called him every name in the book, and we drove off. Next day, we saw the same guy waving cars over, he tried to wave us over and we just drove by him and waved.
I, too, have been all over the Caribbean and Mexico, and feel that for the most part people are trying to help tourists have fun. There are just those few who try to line their pockets with less than honest ways. It will never deter me from going somewhere. I got married on St. Lucia and out of all the islands I have been to, it is the one I'm most likely not to return to, but for other reasons.
I, too, have been all over the Caribbean and Mexico, and feel that for the most part people are trying to help tourists have fun. There are just those few who try to line their pockets with less than honest ways. It will never deter me from going somewhere. I got married on St. Lucia and out of all the islands I have been to, it is the one I'm most likely not to return to, but for other reasons.
Feb 27th, 2006, 03:11 PM
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Diana, I have enjoyed your posts for a long time here on Fodor's, and I'm very excited that you're getting to make your dream come true in the Grenadines. Congratulations and keep us posted on your progress!!! (and I'm as surprised as EJ about the location - but I would've guessed Mexico 
)
I guess in using the word "rob", I am indicating my line in the sand so to speak. I'm OK with "creative ways to make cash", and can tolerate being overcharged etc, but being duped by cops in uniform, or extorted by a hitchhiker I'm trying to be helpful to, is the other side of my line. Apparently not yours - I appreciate that.
And for the record, I loved St. Lucia and would return (if there weren't so many places still on my list!).
)I guess in using the word "rob", I am indicating my line in the sand so to speak. I'm OK with "creative ways to make cash", and can tolerate being overcharged etc, but being duped by cops in uniform, or extorted by a hitchhiker I'm trying to be helpful to, is the other side of my line. Apparently not yours - I appreciate that.
And for the record, I loved St. Lucia and would return (if there weren't so many places still on my list!).
Feb 27th, 2006, 03:12 PM
#38
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I had a similiar experience in St John.The officier met me and my husband at our car when we returned from Cruz Bay shopping.
There were not any no parking signs and the officier said "that guy told you not to park there" and I said "What guy? nobody told us that we could not park here."And the officier said "I will not take you disrespecting me and my island..I am going to give you a parking ticket."
I was so mad..he could have cared a less that my husband and I had been drinking.
I later saw many cars parked where we were and did not get a ticket.Also no one told us not to park there and the jerk insisted that someone did.
I guess that it is a no win situation..unfortunately.
Christie
There were not any no parking signs and the officier said "that guy told you not to park there" and I said "What guy? nobody told us that we could not park here."And the officier said "I will not take you disrespecting me and my island..I am going to give you a parking ticket."
I was so mad..he could have cared a less that my husband and I had been drinking.
I later saw many cars parked where we were and did not get a ticket.Also no one told us not to park there and the jerk insisted that someone did.
I guess that it is a no win situation..unfortunately.
Christie
Feb 28th, 2006, 07:44 AM
#39
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I think that the correct wording if you are not (not your not) or you may use you're not...your indicates ownership, as in "surrender your passport to the nice police officer so he may extract a small amount of your money since you're a tourist"
Feb 28th, 2006, 08:19 AM
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If anyone told me to be in court the around the same time I was leaving, I'd say "sure I'll be there"...
"yes sir, I'll take the ticket, and see you court"....I'd laugh my way all the home.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you would have no problems leaving the island, as I doubt they are looking for parking violators at the airport.
"yes sir, I'll take the ticket, and see you court"....I'd laugh my way all the home.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you would have no problems leaving the island, as I doubt they are looking for parking violators at the airport.
