Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 8 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago by
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To North Americans, South Americans, Europeans and Asians: What impression, if any, do you have of the Caribbean? Do you think of it as a paradise?
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Name : A. B., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : Black/African American, City : Mangrove, State : NA, Country : Barbados, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College,German travel agents market the Caribbean islands as a paradise. That cliché is well-established. I have mixed feelings toward that image, as I believe (from local documentaries on TV rather than first-hand experience) that life in the Caribbean for most locals is very poor, and consequently very hard. Similarly, I believe some of the island landscapes are glorious, but doubt the image of the pristine empty beaches. Pristine yes, but probably thronged with tourists…
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Name : T27564, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 33, City : Munich, State : NA, Country : Germany, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,I’ll admit that at first I thought people in the Caribbean were all poor and uneducated – like I saw in Bob Marley documentaries. I thought every city had its own ‘Trenchtown.’ But as of late I have learned of the vigorous educational structure. And as we know, education leads to economic improvement. Teachers in the West Indies have a no-nonsense attitude, and students wear uniforms to prevent fashion distractions. I looked up the literacy rates for countries in the area and found out that many are in the high 90s. I think the image of a spliff-smoking (not that it’s wrong) shanty dweller will soon have to leave our minds. Is the education in Barbados similar to what I described above?
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Name : John29266, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 18, City : NA, State : NY, Country : United States,Although the uniforms are meant to prevent fashion distractions, as you put it, a lot of students still find ways to bend the rules. For instance, most Barbadian schools state that girls’ skirts should reach the knee. But when I was in secondary (high) school, teachers were constantly complaining that the girls wore their skirts far too short. (Funny how their parents didn’t seem to have a problem with it…) Also, many people in the education system say that standards are dropping. A while ago, there was a newspaper report which stated that about 55% university students could not write in standard English. So I guess all things considered, we’re not as perfect as we might seem.
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Name : A. B., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : Black/African American, City : Mangrove, State : NA, Country : Barbados, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College,I’ve heard from people who have spent time in various islands that the native people generally do not like white Americans. I haven’t experienced this for myself, though. I would hope that’s not true.
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Name : Sheila27952, City : Milwaukee, State : WI, Country : United States,my family has been going to a caribbean island every spring break since i was about 5 or 6 years old. we have been to islands such as, st. barths, the turks and caicos, anguilla, barbados, puerto rico, cayman islands and my personal favorite virgin gorda. we went to these islands before they grew popular and the isalnds that are very touristy now are the turks and caicos, puerto rico, cayman islands, barbados and st. barths. i hesitate to say this because we are going back againt his year but, virign gorda is not spoiled by tourism and crowds at all… the only place that would be, would be The Baths(volcanically formed rock formations and beautiful beach) on the far side of the island, but that is where a ship from st. thomas comes over just for the day with people, but it is still worth going to. vigrin gorda has pristine beaches and most of the time its you and mabey, at the most, 3 or 4 other people on a beach at a time if any. its waters are crisp and clearly unspoiled by jetskis or motor boats and the snorkeling is amazing. this truly is the best caribbean island to vacation at in my opinion.
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Name : HannaH, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 18, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Social class : Upper middle class,I’ve been to many places in the Caribbean, and for the most part, the people are wonderful, the water is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and the islands beautiful. In one or two places, I’ve seen incredible poverty which is depressing to see when on vacation, but this is life. I do love the Caribbean islands, and will definitely be back.
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Name : Dave26029, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 48, City : Hartford, State : CT, Country : United States, Social class : Middle class,I love the people in the Caribbean. I have been to a number of islands, including Barbados. Most are very gracious and wonderful to talk and socialize with. I do see the fabulous wealth of the few and the poverty of the many. But I also see that the people of the Caribbean are very proud, and want more than anything, their own identity. Intelligent, funny, and opinionated.I love spending time with them. I think that colonialism still exists there in some form or another. And I am torn when hearing of the instability, and the inactivity of my own country. I hope one day it will really be paradise for them too.
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Name : O.J.D., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Humanist, Age : 40, City : Burlington, State : NJ, Country : United States, Social class : Middle class,With the exception of the Caymans the impression I have is that the area is very poor. And you have way cooler accents than we do. I know a lot of people that think that it is paradise. Some of my friends have actually moved there. But I personally don’t like the heat or the bugs. I lived in Hawaii for a year and found that although it is warm there are drawbacks. I think that people were I live (Alaska) just fantasize about the warm weather in January when it is -40°C/F and the sun only shined for 3 hours that day. Most people I know think that Alaska in the summer is the best place on earth. Temperatures in the 70-80°F range and 24 hours of sunlight. What more could you ask for.
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Name : DanielPfalmer, Gender : Male, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 22, City : Fairbanks, State : AK, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,
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