Sad Honeymooner

I just wanted to share a bad experience with other potential honeymooners or visitors who are considering a stay at Anse Chastenet on St. Lucia. <BR> <BR>My wife and I spent a week there for our honeymoon. All was going well until the 5th day, when one of the beach attendants made some racist remarks about my wife. When I asked him what he said, he uttered some more racial slurs. I called him to task on it and demanded an apology. Then, believe it or not, he ran away down the beach! <BR> <BR>I got his name and told the owner. His wife talked to us first. She was sweet. She empathized and suggested that I talk with the owner directly, so I did. <BR> <BR>The two things I requested: a personal apology from the racist attendant and his immediate termination. The owner would not hear of it and chalked it up to 'immaturity'. The owner was part of some weird religious sect in Utah (not the Mormons), and so he believed that he had his share of 'suffering' and 'prejudice' and told me that I was taking this way too seriously. Well, I'm sorry to believe that my wife and I have the right not to encounter racial slurs by one of his employees on our honeymoon, I told him. He was dismissive and then started to say that I was too sensitive. I wasn't going to get into a pissing match with him about who suffered more in life, so I let it go. I just regret that this experience marred an otherwise wonderful honeymoon, but it did TOTALLY RUIN IT FOR ME, being the sensitive guy that I am <BR> <BR>For all of you out there who are considering Anse Chastenet, leave your Amex and Visa at home because they accept racism.

Not Ann Landers

Dear Sad Honeymooner, <BR> <BR>I am sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with racism at Anse Chastenet on St. Lucia. The owner sounds like maybe he's in the wrong business. You were right to demand an apology from the offending beach attendant. But you over stepped yourself when you demanded that he be fired. You should have asked what action would be taken in addition an apology. At any rate, this is not the place for me. <BR>Although we may take pride in whatever race we belong to or in our ethnic hertiage, we are all God's children and equal in his sight. <BR> <BR>But this incident should not be allowed to spoil your honeymoon. It's commendable to be sensitive, but stewing over this will serve no good purpose for you or your wife. Remember the good times you had on the island and get on with your new married life. There may be other fools who will spout racial slurs at you or your wife in the future. Ignore them and go your way. You will be better off. Thanks again for the warning. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR>A Proud Member of the HUMAN Race

joan

To Not Ann Landers: Boy, did you hit the nail on the head. I agree with absolutely everything you have said here, couldn't have said it better myself. Sad Honeymooner, don't be sad. You're starting a new life! There will always be jerks in the world, you know that. You had five days of bliss before this incident. Let that be your memory! <BR> <BR>Another Proud Member of the HUMAN Race

A visible Minority

Anse Chastenet supposed to be one of the best in the world. But the employees may not be highly educated. Perhaps he just wanted to be funny and went too far. Although St. Lucia is an English speaking country, they have their own accents and slangs that could mean something else. I thought the owner's wife is a mixed race or East Indian descend. This is absolutely not a disrespect to the mixed race or Indians. <BR> <BR>As a visible minority, I heard racial remarks often enough. If I want every person who utters racial slurs be fired, there would have been many unemployed persons. Will that stop them making further racial remarks? Probably not. I believe education is the keyword. Meanwhile, just ignore the remarks. Life is too short.

sally

Dear Sad Honeymooner: <BR> I am not condoning such behavior but can you give us some more details about exactly what happened. Are you saying that the beach attendant just starting making such comments out of the blue. <BR> I was there in Dec 00 and thought all the beach attendants were the sweetest young guys. I am really shocked at such behavior and sorry that you experienced this on your honeymoon.

MISS MANNERS

DEAR SAD: <BR> <BR>I AM SORRY THAT YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE ON YOUR HONEYMOON. I GUESS INSENSITIVITY IS NOT LIMITED TO NON-VACATION TIMES. <BR>BY THE WAY, THE OWNER OF ANSE CHASTENET WOULD PROBABLY NOT APPRECIATE YOUR REFERENCE TO HIS "WEIRD RELIGIOUS SECT." <BR>PERHAPS WE ALL SHOULD THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK.