Why call Caribbean islands ugly?
 

Dear America, <BR> <BR>Why call a Caribbean island ugly? Do some Americans never appreciate? And how would you feel if they change the song 'America the beautiful' to 'America the ugly'? All I am saying is leave the islands in their own values and norms. By calling an island ugly your insulting the people that inhabit these islands and that love and are proud of their respective Caribbean nations. Don't you see that these are one of the reasons why Americans are treated bad in the region and elsewhere in the world. <BR> <BR>The Caribbean should turn its back to the U.S. The Caribbean should focus more on Latin American and European tourist which in general do spend more on a vacation, above that they do appreciate the culture and the beauty of the islands regardless. <BR> <BR>Angry Caribbean citizen,

<BR>Dear Angry Caribbean citizen, <BR> <BR>Why insult the American people as a whole? I understand your frustration, but to label us all with your generalization is lowering yourself to the same level as those Americans who are ugly. <BR> <BR>I applaud your pride in your island (whichever it may be) but you've just shown an ugly attitude with that last paragraph. There are ugly Europeans & Latins as well as ugly Americans. There are Americans who appreciate the differences in culture & beauty of the islands. <BR> <BR>I really don't think you want to turn your back on our $? You just want respect. That's fair but it goes both ways you know. You should judge each of us on our own merits if you want the same for yourself and your island. <BR> <BR>Those last statements were snobby. You should have stopped while you were ahead. <BR> <BR>As a sidebar, my observation has been that many Europeans add less to your economy because they spend so much on air just to get there in most cases. <BR> <BR>An American

American, <BR> very well said. <BR> <BR>A Canadian

My family is making our third trek to the Bahamas. We are sensitive to the local culture and have enjoyed our time with many Bahamians we've met. Europeans can be as difficult and indifferent as any other group. Our experience is they are sloppy and ill mannered - especially with their tots!!

Now ain't this just boiling down to name calling. maybe the first post was the most accurate. <BR> <BR>Ask yourselves truely. We're not talking about the people who go to the Caribbean to visit, but those who poat here. <BR> <BR>Do you think that most of the posts here are from the USA (to be potically correct we will refrain from using Americans in respect to our neighbors to the north and south). Would you gather from their posts as well, tht most of the negative posts about the islands are from people in the USA? <BR> <BR>As a regular visitor to St Martin, I seen the ugly American, the rude Frenchman, the crass Latino. But I've also seen good in all of them. But the question remains is who posts the negatives here and blames the islands?

Dear Angry Caribbean Citizen&lt; <BR>We have visited many of your islands and have never been treated badly. We thoroughly enjoy your fine sand, crystal clear water and warm sun. We also envy your calm, relaxed pace. I'll take an island over a crowded city street any day.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have visited no "ugly" island but some are "prettier" than others since I prefer lush and tropical, wonderful long white (pink or black) sandy beaches, the wonderful music and foods of all the various Carib islands. I have seen many ugly tourists and met some sullen ugly angry Islanders and found that they come from not one particular geographical location. Yes, some people never appreciate and only see the poverty and ill that an island has - just as if someone were to come to many parts of the US and other countries. No one has exclusive rights to the multimillion dollar palaces set in proximity to the less fortunate. But, instead of being angry and lashing out at the ignorant and "ugly" tourist who comes to support your econony, why not court them, educate them and teach them all that is beautiful when visiting your home instead of scorning them?