bUdNiP

The brits may be a bit standoffish.But,have you ever sat down at a bar with one and had several beers.They loosen up and are quite fun and comical.I would rather spend time in a pub in England than with a bunch of A-holes in many of the bars around where I live in Atl Ga.

Martin

We stayed at the "Crystal Cove" last year and we found that people kept themselves to themselves regardless of which nationality.<BR><BR>I am a "Brit" and I enjoy the company of the Yanks in the caribbean. Some Brits are over-awed by the fact that there are *so many* Americans there and some of them are a bit loud.<BR><BR>But on the other hand an American visiting Ibiza, Fuenghirola, etc. would be HORRIFIED at the behaviour of the Brits abroad!<BR><BR>Just live and let live I say. We are all the same really, regardless of where we were born.

Dz

Some islands remain virtually the way they were in the 70's. I was just in Grenada and ate at the Nutmeg for the first time in about 30 years. The menu was the same with the same great recipes for roti and callaloo soup and the grilled kingfish and chips that the americanized islands only hope to imitate. The open air view of the harbor remains unchanged, the only difference going into town was there is now a street light on the way to St. Georges. It was like stepping back in time, my taxi driver from the airport knew the person I had worked with in the 70s. And of course Pt. Salines was razed for the new airport some years ago, which is convenient, but now tourists don't get the long, breathtaking drive from the north of the island where the airport used to be. It was nice to see how it had not changed dramatically like places such as Grand Cayman and Barbados. I've travelled extensively through the Carib for business and return to many for pleasure, but in no way do I claim to be an expert, I just have a few observations to share. That's the problem I see on boards like this, too many try to be an "expert" instead of just sharing and learning. I have to agree with Jackie O... you can instantly spot the frauds here who have some sort of business interest they are here to promote. They bash competing islands and promote their business under the pretense of being a tourist. But what do you expect of people in sales? The phrase "sell your own mother" comes to mind...

Sandy

To DZ,<BR>I have a feeling that I'm the person you were refering to in this thread (Cayman 20+) trips. How can you say that the advice I give is "literally dead wrong half the time"? It's my advice, my opinion!! And what does staying in the same place have to do with that?? <BR><BR>I only reply to posts that I know something about, or have experienced first hand. I don't claim to be an expert on GC, but I'm far from "clueless"! I'm just on these boards to help first time visitors, and like previously stated, I mention 20+ trips to let someone know that my advice comes from numerous visits to GC, not 5 hrs off a cruise ship.<BR><BR>

xxxx

It could happen to anybody anywhere. We were in another island with all fellow americans and there was a happy hour outside with individual tables and a bar. Everyone was sitting at the tables (we sat at the bar) or off to the side and no one talked to each other. The only comment I heard was from a guy who said "And now, I can choose my friends"! How phony can you get? We left the property every night just to get away from the people at the resort. Luckily that has been the only time it's happened in all our travels. Sometimes people just want to be left alone and just relax--but not usually everyone at the place you're staying!

Julia

Different Islands for different people, it is so important to do your "homework" before going on vacation. My husband and I are Americans and we have a stressful professional life. We go on vacation as often as we can often booking the next trip as soon as we get home from the last one. When we travel, we like to go to the British Islands for the peace and quiet because we want to keep to ourselves as we're not looking to make "new best friends" with anyone or gamble or have big entertainment at night. It's so refreshing to go someplace and feel you don't have to make small talk with people who try to get into your space. Its lovely to enjoy lunch and dinner in a restaurant where people speak in hushed voices as to not intrude on others and a simple Good Day is all thats spoken when you see someone, instead of the usual praddling. One persons aloofness is another's paradise. We have never felt a chill or never felt we were not a "somebody". We have always met very nice people and we also appreciate being left alone and not pressured to sit with others for dinner, drinks, etc.

Me

I just returned yesterday from 8 days in Barbados. We stayed at Almond Beach Village. The Bajan people are very friendily, its the english tourists that are a bit stuffy. We enjoyed our stay very much. I highly recommend swimming with the turtles but with the hotel not a local. They feed them so more arrive to swim with you. Bring a water camera...great pics!! The Village is excellent for kids, lots to do. theres a variety of food but I'm a picky eater so not a good judge of quality. The italian restaurant though was great!! If you go visit the caves and the wildlife reserve as well.

CollegeGirl

I am on this forum trying to figure out where to have my wedding. At first I was thinking St. Martin but after hearing over and over how much crime there was (or wasn't) and listening to people insult one another, I decided crime or no crime I am not taking my chances. So here I am now looking into Barbados. This message board is much more entertaining I have to say. I think its funny that we are talking about who is aloof and who is not. Traveling in the US alone you meet people of all types, some aloof, some not. Walk into an upscale apartment building and you are bound to find the receptionist aloof (definitly not all, but quite a few). Anyways, just thought I would throw in my two cents.

Billy Bob

It could be that us southerners are such friendly and kind people that we are not used to the unfriendliness and aloofness, so just go on and be yourself and don't worry about the way others are.

Daniella

Jackie O...is your email address real? Don't throw stones when you live in a class house babe.

Daniella

sorry, that was GLASS house.