@carib21network Your list was perfect. For the sake of Internet attention span, it could be more concise. A few brief examples are fine, but multiple protracted anecdotes will try the patience of some. I stayed because I REALLY wanted to see/hear all the negatives, but it took patience (and time) to reach that point. 👍.
@carib21network, minimum wage $8 Barbados Dollars an hour? Really!!!!! Maybe paid to school kids who are working part-time to gain work experience, surely not paid to adults with a family😢😢😢
Carib21, network, I agree with mostly what you said about Barbados. However, FYI Barbados is a popular and well known island for tourists, in fact Barbados is the third most visited island after Jamaica and Bahamas, so to say that St. Lucia is more better known is very misleading, in fact Barbados gets over a couple hundred thousand more than visitors than St. Lucia, do some more research, the Caribbean Tourism statistics organization website is a good place to start.
I'm from Zambia and have visited Barbados twice. I also blended in just like a local. People only knew i was not from there when i spoke. I love Barbados!! ❤. I love the bajans! Very warm and accommodating people. I can go as far as say it's a home away from home. I went to Oistins and enjoyed grilled fish and music!! I went back to my villa in the bus at 2am and didn’t feel threatened at all. I miss Barbados and can't wait to go back again. ❤
Thank you for watching all the way from Zambia 🇿🇲 I would love to visit your beautiful country one day and I’m happy you enjoyed Barbados 🇧🇧 the people are friendly and the island 🏝️ is beautiful and amazing
What a tremendous observation by this jamaican🇯🇲 brother. One of the best jamaicans I've heard. I'm from SKN 🇰🇳. We saw the same thing this brother is speaking of on our visit to Barbados. I told some of what he's saying to my brother back in st kitts. This brother is also correct about st kitts & Nevis. Barbados has created a Caribbean Oasis in our region. I love it, but im also jealous 🇧🇧. I hope St kitts and nevis follow Barbados. We met trinis, j'cans, vincy' Dominican, St Lucians, Africans,living in Barbados.My We also visited Bermuda and the Bahamas. Respect brother.🍺
I’m a returning visitor to Barbados multiple times because of the beauty and most importantly the genuine kindness of the Bajan residents. It is the most safe and friendly island I have been to in all my travels. The struggles that the citizens have endured in history and presently have not turned them sour. The options for accommodations is plentiful. We choose an apt rental nearby shopping and buy our own groceries. Good plan to bring your own coffee,tea,Kleenex etc. or things you use a lot of. Paper products are extremely expensive. We gave up on the car rental for cost ,confusing round abouts and found the roads too rough in areas. Taxis some of the time is required.It is expensive in Barbados but where we live in Vancouver 🇨🇦is more so. The feeling of home upon arrival every time. “Cheese on Bread” coming back in 2025🇧🇧 ❤
Thank you for watching and I have a strong love for the Caribbean and my goal is to go to all the islands and document what’s happening and to challenge the leaders to make changes.
Quite informative. Yes, rum is a quintessential thing in the Caribbean. St. Kitts and Nevis, no exception. Afterall, the Brits found out that their cash crop, sugar cane, produced a stronger alcohol than barley which didn't grow well in that tropical climate. As pubs are to Britain, rum shops are to the Caribbean. Alcoholism easily fosters repeat business. It's a money thing.
Very good to have someone’s unbiased opinion and perspective on the various Caribbean islands. Much of it certainly reflected my experiences. Thank you for your exposure as most of us will not get the opportunity to visit some of these islands.
In the U.S., most of the businesses in many Black neighborhoods are owned by Indians, Middle Easterners, and Asians. I once watched a Liberian RUclipsr go shopping for a stove in Liberia. Both of the stores she went into were owned by Indians. Even in Africa Black people don’t own many of the businesses in their countries. A now deceased White Barbadian businessman who grew up dirt poor in Barbados but became a millionaire, mainly in the construction industry, once said his family became rich while many Black families did not because Black families encouraged their children to pursue white collar jobs instead of jobs like construction.
I believe that it is because we are ‘scared’ to take risk. And we tend not to trust our family members and friends enough to pool together for investment and business like Asians do, which would spread out the risk and make it easier to establish businesses.
Balanced and honest review. Yes, the minimum wage is still $8.50 for shop assistants (various basic jobs like this, domestic workers, security guards etc each have a minimum wage set by government, but often are paid more today) but government is working on increasing this as we speak. Getting employers to agree is the difficulty. Unionized workers tend to get better pay.
Guyanese born Canadian here and just listening to you is bringing back memories. I've been to Barbados FIVE times for holidays (including my honeymoon many moons ago) so suffice to say it's my fav place to go for holidays. I have to agree with you about the cost of living! On one of my trips we decided to rent a bungalow (instead of the hotel route) thinking that we would save money doing the grocery thing etc. Boy were we wrong! lol!
I am from Barbados. Your observation is on the money. I am not sure what the minimum wage is though. The retail industry is mostly imports. So that gives a big advantage to people from outside who have contact information and knowledge of trade that locals don’t get exposure to. Rum is the second biggest foreign exchange earners in Barbados, Second only to tourism. So most of the rum is consumed by tourists even though it is popular at the rum shops where you can usually also buy food. If you had taken the government run public bus, there is no music allowed but you do need exact fares.
Thank you for watching, and yes we did take the Government bus and it was a way better experience than the small bus. And I like that tourist was at the rum shops experiencing local food and drink 🍺 it was good to see.
Very positive and true assessment. I am a bajan living overseas and have almost the same views especially when you talk about minimum wages should at least be 14 Bajan dollars . I lived in Bermuda for 12 years and also in Jamaica for 5 years and one year in St Vincent so your opinion are facts I world in the hotel industry as an Executive chef currently living in the USA.. great job sir
Thank you very much for your feedback, we have very similar experiences I worked at the Jamaica 🇯🇲 Pegasus hotel for 10 years and at the 9Beaches hotel in Bermuda 🇧🇲 for 7 years and my wife is from St Vincent so just like you I have lots of Caribbean experience, thank you again for watching and sharing your experiences.
Chefette was founded by a Trinidadian who has died but he lived most of his life in Barbados, it is now run by his son, his children are born here. The people from the East who owned stores came here in the 1920's and by selling things to black people on credit who could not get it from the white people stores have been a help to poor Bajans over the last 100yrs. The started with things like cloth, watches, curtain material in a suitcase and caught the bus, later graduated to a bicycle, the old car, better car, they now own vans and stores. They are now about 3 generations of them that were born in Barbados, I went to school with Muslim and Hindu girls, they marry early mostly and the fathers are in the household unlike a lot of black bajans. The St Lucians, Vincentians and Dominicans are the ones who either came on boats or bought fruits from the boats when they came to sell to us, namely Plantains, Bananas, Oranges, Dasheen since 1940's. They have children, grand children, great grand children born in Barbados. Next time you come to Barbados take the blue Transport Board buses, no stupid loud music on those but you have to have exact change because they do not carry conductors. Sad to say cost of living is expensive and minimum wage sucks.
I would mention that Haloute's parents came from Syria and settled in Trinidad initially, and after a visit to Barbados they made the move here when Haloute was very young, and brought along more family with them.
@@carib21networkyou said when people talk about tourism in the Caribbean, Barbados is not one of the islands that come up? I don't know where you got that thought from but it is very misleading. In fact Barbados is one of the main islands that comes up and is mentioned as being one of the more popular tourist islands, and I am not just saying so, do some research buddy, that is how we get so organized through experience. And you mentioned that St. Lucia is mentioned and not Barbados? Well buddy again you are misleading, do your research and you will find that Barbados gets about a couple of hundred thousand more tourists that St. Lucia every year. The facts are written and speak for themselves.
3:05 They do have one of the highest literacy rates, I think that plays a big part. Did you notice how all the school kids have on neat and tidy uniforms for school? I believe that sense of pride instilled early on helps them
Thank you for sharing. And no I did not know about the highest literacy rate but I know most of the schools in the Caribbean you have to wear uniforms and they take pride in the schools that they attend. All I know is that the leadership of Barbados 🇧🇧 is doing something good and the other islands need to find what’s going on in Barbados 🇧🇧
Very honest observations thank you. Sticker shock in the supermarkets is real but freight is not cheap. Rum shops are not just for firing one, they sell groceries. Quite a few of Swan Street stores are second and third generations operated. We Bajans may not be readily welcomed to set-up shop in neighbouring islands but our neighbours have long been welcomed here. Suttle Street is where Dominicans and Lucians used to ply their trade. Glad
Thank you for sharing, one thing I really did observe is that Barbados 🇧🇧 seems to be one of the most united islands in the Caribbean. I saw businesses from Jamaica 🇯🇲 Trinidad 🇹🇹 St Vincent 🇻🇨 so that was really good to see.
In Barbados music is actually Ban on ZR... (Route Taxi)/ transportation but these guys do it ... Also only one passenger should sit in the front seat ... there is information posted in the vans you can see in the owner , no.of the van etc .. in the terminal there is also a complaint section if you are not satisfied with your experiences...... hope you had a good time.... feel free to come again 🙏we welcome you ☺️☺️🙏🙏
@@carib21network..... Crop Over is our biggest festival I am glad you had that experience and had a really good time.. please come again it's going to be better next year.
In Barbados it is common for multiple generations to live in a house. For example, you might see grandparents, parents, and grandchildren living under one roof. That’s how many Barbadians can survive on low wages.
Well you also failed to say that salaries in Barbados is among the highest in the Caribbean. In addition, you did not mention free school meals, free education, school children travel on the buses for free, free text book loan scheme for school children, funeral insurance for citizens, free health care, reverse tax credit for those earning less than 12,000USD yearly...
@carib21network why do you think it's sad? In barbadian society, the concept of the extended family has always been prevalent across the spectrum. It is one of the foundational pillars In raising our children to being productive adults. By the time they were ready to transition to their own home and start a new family, they would have been not only settled in a job but would have accumulated savings from not having to pay the full cost associated with living on their own. So there are indeed many benefits to being in such a situation. It is not unusual to find one family owing ajoining plot of land. Like anything else there are pros and cons, but again, this is how bajans have always structured their family units, hence the popular saying "it take a village to successfully raise a child to adulthood." There is nothing sad about this, it is actually advantageous to families to pools their resources and reduce individual cost.😊
In Barbados Healthcare is free,education from primary to tertiary is free.Transportation on government buses are free for all citizens from 65 years and over and also available for students from primary to tertiary level.Student who travel on private vehicle pay because they want to do that.There is also a school meals program where lunch is provided every day at primary xchools.There is a breskfast program too.Students at primary and secondary schools have access to free optical and dental care. I am glad you enjoyed my island home,I enjoyed watching your content.Blessing to you and family.
I'm glad you visited Barbados my birth island and had a great experience, I was told on my visit there not to drive in the ZR's, if I must take a bus use the Transport Board buses.
Thank you for watching. When I visit any country in the Caribbean I want to get the local experience and public transportation and going to the market are 2 of the best ways to experience local.
You deserve an award for reporting what you saw and that's beautiful. some people have to take care of their aging parents and work at the same time , and it makes their pensions small at pension age so they wouldn't get very far in life without some help .
@ Richatd Gamble...why are those in the USA "poor and suffering" their families in Barbados would have educated them, in a mostly Free system. So to behave as though they should not have a responsibility to assist those that was left behind is nonsense. This is how it works regardless of where in the world you are from. Our government have National Insurance that everyone can contribute to so that they can have a pension when they can no longer work. So none of your comments speaks to what is actually talking about.
Thank you for watching. Base on my experience in Barbados 🇧🇧 I still believe that Barbados is one of the best ran islands in the Caribbean, but all the Caribbean islands could still use so work like living wages, affordable housing and for Caribbean nationals to run more of the businesses
@@dr.carolphillips1351 it make sense what you said but what do you think about some people that had to spend a lot of their time taking care of their elderly parents that caused their pensions to be very small, and do you think a system should be put in place to help those kind of people earn more at their retirement ages? I am happy for your reply so I did some back tracking
Thank you for watching and for the offer please connect with me on instagram it’s Carib21Network I will take you up on that offer when I come back next year 🙏🏿
I'm Bajan. No lies detected. A couple comments. 1. Minimum wage: Many folk have a side hustle. Many reputable businesses pay a decent wage, ignoring the minimum. Also, remittances help. Many folk do find a way to purchase land or improve their homes. Barbados has a large middle class and a good pension, welfare system. Note too, basic healthcare and education are free. 2. Wealth distribution: Bajans do not have a strong heritage of entrepreneurship in retail, but, countering that, there are tons of Black lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, bankers, beauticians, nurses, mechanics, etc. Again, we have a large middle class, but our strength is not in retail or wholesale. That's where our White, middleastern and Indian population make their own fortune. Ours is everywhere else.
Thank you for the information it was very helpful, base on what I saw it was clear to me that Barbados 🇧🇧 was doing better than most of the other islands in the way it’s Governed.
There are 3 types of buses in barbados, The ZR buses, mini buses and the transport buses, Next visit don’t take the ZR buses, you can take the barbados transport buses, those buses are big, they don’t play music you and your family would have enjoy the ride.
Exactly why if I’m not driving (and only did for the first time in ‘22&’23) I hop on a ZR in a second. A person like myself who has issues with “time management “ 🤭 😆 can’t always afford to wait around for a transport bus when 15 Zara have passed by. Signed a NYC born n bred Bajie
One of the issues of residual wealth or better yet generational wealth in Barbados is most families want their children to be lawyers, doctors, ministers, service people or tradesmen / tradeswomen. So I must say that entrepreneurship is not in most Caribbean DNA. I could be wrong but this is what I see, although I have a few businesses I still think we are lacking and needs to be taught to work on Generational wealth. Again you are right on point with your observation. I applaud you for what you do while enjoying your stay and vacation.
Thank you very much for watching, I believe that we in the Caribbean need to go back to working together and increase trade within the Caribbean and that will help with the cost.
Thank you, we normally rent the car before, but because it was not the busy tourist season we took a chance 😀but it was good to have my kids experience taking the bus 😀😀
i am a bajan but u r right , but they r cracking down on the mini buses with those NASTY make up songs , u can REPORT it to the police station , take down the # and they r also holding the owners of the vans responsible along with the drivers
I'm curious to know why are we suddenly seeing jamaicans so interested in the bajans land. I ask this because I remember Barbados and the bajes being the # 1 target of Jamaicans insults from way back in the day. Way before they began attacking Trinidad & Tobago. Jamaicans actually took those bajan to the CCJ court. There's also another jamaican brother from Canada on RUclips highlighting Barbados. What gives here?. My wife was the first to notice it. Yesterday the Bajans celebrated their 58th independence and 3rd republic status. We remember jamaicans joining with the white British colonizers, and oppressors in criticizing an insulting Barbados and Rihanna on that night November 30th 2021. Calling Barbados a fake republic, and hating on their national hero dress. Disgraceful, shameful act.🤔 Ironically guess who are the loudest voices for becoming a republic today.😏. For 60 plus years the only Caribbean island jamaicans were interested in was jamaica, Jamaica, and rightfully so it's their home. Nothing at all they would utter about their neighbors in Caribbean. So I'm very curious and surprised, of the sudden interest in Barbados the country they ridiculed most in this Caribbean region. Sometimes we have to revisit actions from the past to understand the future.
Good afternoon and thank you for watching and for your feedback. I’m a Jamaican born that live in Canada 🇨🇦 and I do understand your concern about the relationship between Barbados 🇧🇧 and Jamaica 🇯🇲 based on my almost 50 years on this earth I can honestly say that most Jamaicans love all Caribbean nationals but in life the haters are always the loudest. I know Jamaica and Barbados had some history going back to 1958 because Barbados was chosen to have the first Prime Minister but that was a political issue that had nothing to do with the average Jamaican. . Trust me I attended a Caribbean church in Canada 🇨🇦 and it’s all love so people don’t listen to the Jamaicans that hate. And plus we love your Prime Minister the most honourable Mia Mottley and consider her the Prime Minister of the Caribbean 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Most malcontents are wrong and strong. Sensible, saner people tend to be quiet and content, allowing noisemakers to have their way. Social media has given everybody a voice, and that has allowed voices of reason to break through. The Caribbean, and definitely Barbados, is prone to classism. Middle-class Bajans and middle-class JAcans or Trinis are likely to get along very well. Lower class JAcans will always have beef with Barbados, and lower class Bajans are more likely to be vociferous in their opposition to Trini influences or a strong Jamaican or GT presence in Bim. Those were the voices we were hearing for so long. Those are the insular ones likely to question a Usain Bolt athletic complex in Barbados or a Frank Worrell Cricket Grounds in Jamaica, unaware of the reciprocity. What is happening is that all voices are finally being heard, not just the raucous few.
Rum was invented on the island of Barbados, while the statistic you quoted was, at some point true it is presently no longer the case. As a matter of fact Barbados has has the most churches per square mile than any other place on the planet..I think it was even mentioned in the Guinness book of records.
Thank you for sharing. The purpose of this channel is to encourage people across the Caribbean to take interest in other islands so I really appreciate your feedback 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Yes, I am a bajan living in the USA Of course the cheffette band is a Trinidad national living in Barbados Barbafosbia very very expensive indeed. That's so true. The supermarket prices and regular souvenirs like Tshirts are expensive. And the prices been getting higher. However, Barbados is beautiful very beautiful. Thanks for your honest opinions and you are extremely positive in your comments.
Yes, I am a bajan living in the USA Of course the cheffette band is a Trinidad national living in Barbados Barbafosbia very very expensive indeed. That's so true. The supermarket prices and regular souvenirs like Tshirts are expensive. And the prices been getting higher. However, Barbados is beautiful very beautiful. Thanks for your honest opinions and you are extremely positive in all your comments. The night driving you didn't comment on However, its a very big concern drivers not dimming their lights on high beam and the over taking. That's my biggest concerns.
Your analysis is pretty accurate. Unfortunately, imports goods will always be expensive. Waffles/pancakes are basic flour mixes which Caribbean people will rather buy than make themselves. To some, a form of modernization, to others a form of laziness. The yellow mini buses are privately owned and therefore some exhibit crass behavior (profane music), the blue buses are government. Barbados is the birthplace of Rum. The irony is that Bajans are primarily not alcoholics. Bajans respect rum and drink socially. Thanks for your review! Barbados!❤❤❤❤
Your comments are spot on. I think you being from the Caribbean has definitley helped you understand the realities of the region, why things are the way they are, whilst your perspective shaped fromm living outside helps you to recognise the strenghts and weaknesses of these small societies. The public transportation issue is one we certainly have been wrestling with for many years (too long!). However, it's good (I guess) to know that we are not alone in not being able or willing to solve that problem.
Thank you very much for your feedback. The minibus system have been a problem since I was a child but I didn’t realize that it was a part of Caribbean culture until I started travelling to other Caribbean islands. The only island that I have been to with an amazing transportation system is Bermuda 🇧🇲 and I just wish the leaders in the Caribbean would sit down with each other to put ideas on the table that would solve most of the issues in the Caribbean.
To be honest most Gov'ts have good intentions but short attention spans. They put things in place then let them fall by the wayside after a year. Music was once banned on the ZR vans.
I think you need to do your homework about the bus system in Barbados. The vans you mentioned is not the ‘bus system’ there. Those ZR vans are probably the 3rd rated there. The main buses are the big yellow and blue air conditioned electric government run system, then the yellow buses, then the ZR vans you mentioned. Those are the most regular but a lot of locals prefer not to use them for the reasons you mentioned!!!
Thank you for watching and I don’t need to do any homework I know the ZR the yellow bus and blue electric bus I took all of them. And most of the islands in the Caribbean have the same problem with the bus system . The Government bus in Barbados 🇧🇧 is amazing but the reality is that some areas have more access to the ZR than the Government bus 🚌
I am abajan living in canada and I agree with your finding ioften wonder why the government let other national come to take over our island but iam glad you had a good visit I don't take to vans there are horrible
Thank you for watching. My personal belief is that the cruise ship industry is not beneficial to most Caribbean islands. The Caribbean island i know that benefits the most from the cruise ship industry is Bermuda 🇧🇲
The Gentleman here is merely giving his assessment of his stay on the Island based on what he was told by locals and what he saw while here... Barbados is beautiful place to live and work but it is not Bathing in Perfection .
Great video…. I’m a Bajan in nyc. Agree, I don’t like foreigners owning local stores. This is something the locals should have on lock.. after all like you said, our blood, sweat and tears build these Caribbean islands… it must change on all islands, we must own them. I will subscribe.. thanks, good work and keep it up.
Thank you for your support, I don’t think it’s bad for others to operate businesses in the Caribbean but it’s just sad to see that most of the businesses are owned by foreigners and the locals are on the streets and in the market. More locals should operate big businesses
Sorry you had to that particular mode of transport. Locals and govt. are aware of the behaviour that goes on with minivans which are privately owned and theÿ have started to prosecute. Next time take one of the govt. buses-the blue one which are air conditioned and have WiFi. Sorry about that. The part about businesses is the the dependents of the are not interested in carrying on the businesses. Sad but true. Our Central Bank Governor has said that Bajans are not investing but the Bank has recently issued some Boss Bonds with very good returns and they have been snapped up so there is hope still. Lovely country and have lived overseas.
I disagree with you re: Barbados tourism popularity and marketing product. In the U.K. Barbados is a very popular tourist destination attracting the rich and famous and is well marketed. On the issue of crime Barbados does not have extreme poverty and the government generally takes care of the welfare of the people . Furthermore, education is taken very seriously resulting in one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Bajans understand the importance of tourism for for their economy and make sure that the island is conducive for it.
Thank you for watching but I think you misunderstood my point. I said in the video that Barbados 🇧🇧 has one of the best tourism programs that I have ever seen the only other island that I could compare it with is Bermuda 🇧🇲, but at the end of the year when they talk about top tourist destinations in the Caribbean it’s always St Lucia , Bahamas and Jamaica, that was my point. And the fact that Barbados 🇧🇧 is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean makes it great for tourism.
Because what happens in the United States 🇺🇸 affects the Caribbean, back in 1970 and earlier the Caribbean feed its people with over %70 of what we had on the dinner table came from the Caribbean, but over the pass 40 years most of what’s consumed in the Caribbean comes from the United States 🇺🇸 that’s why we care about what happens to the dollar.
Because of the value of the exchange rate between the Caribbean countries and the US. That 2-1 exchange rate of the US $ in Barbados lets you know the true cost of good relative to the USA.
My advice to visitors is to avoid getting on ZR vans. You can recognize them because their license plates say ZR. It's better to take a Gov't bus or a yellow bus which is privately owned. By the way if you do a comparison you will find that neighborhood shops are not cheaper than large supermarkets. Their markup is higher.
Barbados has no natural resources ,their main economy is tourism, majority of their food is imported Allegedly that is why their tourists injustry is top.
I really enjoyed listening to your impressive summary of your stay and experience on the Island and I have to agree with you on the Matter of public transportation and food prices being costly;though I must say you should have gotten a Crate of 30 eggs around $20BDS😅
But that level of safety is being compromised. You also have to make the evaluation from the perspective of where in Barbados. Many Bajans will tell you that Barbados has become less safe but it is wonderful that you, as a visitor, felt welcomed and safe. Yes, Chefette is owned by a Trinidadian family. The members are now naturalised Bajans. While it is not fully appreciated, Bridgetown has to be one of the most multinational cities in the Caribbean for its size. It is actually a very large, sprawling city for an island the size of Barbados. You are spot on with your observation of wealth distribution. The reason why your observation in that context is so accurate is that the general view among Barbadians, particularly Afro-Barbadians, tends to suggest very strongly that too many Black Bajans sell out other Black Bajans in the form of accepting bribes and favours from other nationalities and ethnicities to promote the social progress of those other nationalities and ethnicities. This is a feature of life from the average man to the halls of government. In addition, given that Barbados is the party capital of the Caribbean, there is a growing view that the party vibe contributes to the lack of discipline and focus being seen among many young Bajans. While young people of other ethnicities and nationalities are dashing off to establish themselves in the world, many young Bajans are still at the starting line partying. Considering all that you've said, this is generally a good report with, of course, a few subjective views. (note: Barbados is entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.)
Thank you for watching and for all your additional information. One thing that fascinates me is that Barbados 🇧🇧 Bahamas 🇧🇸 and Bermuda 🇧🇲 are all surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean 🌊 I lived in Bermuda 🇧🇲 for several years and also visited Bahamas 🇧🇸 all beautiful islands
@@NnekaLocs Trinidad doesn't have a tourism industry comparable to Barbados'. It is exactly because of Tourism that party events in Barbados are virtually year round. You're right in the context of Carnival.
Thank you for watching and yes I did travel on the Government bus also, but what I realized is that the minibus runs more frequently in some areas so most of the time that’s the bus we catch
A lot of the major companies are not owned by local black bajans; that has been a norm for decades. It shows that foreign interests are more likely to invest in the country ; not locals. In fact, Barbados has a long history of locals who leave its shores to find jobs and careers in other countries. The disparity between the wealthy and average man is becoming more distinct; 30 years ago, a local could, with much sacrifice and penny pinching, purchase land or a house. But with the island being touted as the playground of the very rich, land prices are out of the ambit of the average person. The video is correct about the minimum wage; it is so low that those who work for it have to be content to live with relatives for the rest of their lives, or rent a room and live in a house with strangers. All of the Caribbean islands have their advantages and disadvantages but Barbadosis far worse because only the very wealthy can really sustain a comfortable lifestyle. Food is expensive because almost everything has to be imported. Rent or mortgages are high because of rising land prices Taxes are high and also amenities. But you will never find in all of the Caribbean a more proud people; they are fiercely protective of their island and guard it jealously. It's weird. There are no race issues, almost 90 percent black people who do not cower to the other nationalities that do business there.
Yea $10 for eggs 🥚 in the Caribbean is crazy and I didn’t even go to Massy . I stop going to Massy because I realize Massy in St Vincent was extremely expensive
Im bajan and i just return yesterday. The place need a good brush clean up. The place have bad overgrowth brush. As for the transport system. Its a crazy out of control system with very little pending for bad behavior. The food prices would choke a horse. I find that people have no manners when you speak or try to ask a question. One bright spot is this. The workers in the ID department in Warren's were very professional in helping us get our new Barbados ID card. We couldn't get a new bank account open as Barbadians living abroad because we had no bill on our name with a bajan address 😅 Even when other family members vouch for us. Very backward
While I respect your opinion and can't speak to your experience. Your analysis of the place you were born is most unfortunate and very myopic. We are in the mist of a very rainny period and therefore there will be some overgrown areas..that is not the norm sir nor does it mean the place is dirty and need cleaning. Like any other place on the planet you will encounter mild-mannered or even unmannerly people it does not representthe entire island. I am pretty sure you have it in abundance in your adopted home! The transport system is not up to par. Part of the reason being barbados is currently in the process of switching to green technology and the buses that have been on order keep being delayed by the manufacturers not being able to keep up with production. I hope in future your experiences are better and more importantly that you temper you negative statements about the island that molded you!
@@daveanthonysearles1999 listen man. Excuses is for loosers. I call it the way I see it. I'm an much older Barbadian living overseas and Barbados is worse off that in my grandparents life. Government don't seem to care about the people or country. Maybe if there spend the money on the island upkeep instead of those Benz cars I saw with flashing police light and siren Barbados 🇧🇧 would be in a better place. The place looks old and raggedy. The roads not fit for a donkey cart. Thousands of cars on the street are no roads repairs, building or maintenance. Give us a frigging break.
The Barbadian,s that remains and live and work on this beautiful island, also travel and visit your adopted countries. And most times when we get to see where you live and the conditions it is very disappointing. You all could,da stan home smh.
@roslyndaniel2687 thank you, it always erks me when I read people negative comments about where they were born and bred. Most of the time when you look at their situation in the county they have adopted, often times you realize they are worst off or just working 2 or 3 jobs just to keep up the facade..shame on them smh..no pride 😞🇧🇧
I must say that your observation was dead on point. However, as you mention some of the negative is a Caribbean thing and I too would have think that these things would change. So is life and every thing can't be green. But I love your unbias opinion. These things bother me also especially the mini vans \ conductors where every one is speeding to go no where. Trying to full a mini van and speeding is a hazard to the passengers on the vans and you still miss the people who came out a few minutes later. Although the van drivers if they see them will stop on a dime for them.
@carib21network Yes, Pinehill Dairy is a Barbadian owned business unless they too have recently sold the business to a foreign entity....a lot of that has happened in recent years, many Barbadian white-owned businesses sold their businesses to Trinidad and Jamaican entrepreneurs/business persons....
Please take the Government buses next time you’re in Barbados. The vans you took are privately own they can be very scary and noisy . The government buses are air conditioned and electric.
Thank you for watching, yes i know about the Government bus, but what I realize is that the minibus runs more frequently and in some areas like St Michael parish we saw mostly private bus plus travelling the Caribbean I love to get the local experience too😀😀
The minimum federal wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour since 2009. Many states have hourly wages above the federal minimum. The Barbados minimum is $8.50 per hour Barbados dollars. Education from Pre thru college is free. Healthcare is free. Even the gas station workers in Barbados are Union members. Thanks for your honest observations.
Thank you for the additional info that is amazing. Base on what I see Barbados 🇧🇧 is one of the better run islands in the Caribbean, but some citizens from Barbados disagree with me .
@@patrickforde2148 excuse you. Give me the American system any day of the week. Once you have a good job you can pay for health care. You can also get treatment adap instead of waiting months. That's why lots of us Barbadian can't live back in Barbados after experiencing this level of lifestyle. If I affended anyone I have no apology to offer.
@@carib21networkremember that minimum wage rates is just that minimum, but the rates vary, for instance I have an average job and I get $25 Barbados dollars an hour and I feel very under paid. But the minimum rate is just a bench mark for employers. let's look at it rationally, if most were getting that minimum wage and considering how expensive everything is, the country would be in chaos and all of those positives you gave would be all negative, and the negatives would be extreme.
Great job on your assessment of my country, It's all true, but I would like to know where you bought them $10 and up eggs? 😃You should have gone to Popular Supermarket or Cherish is more affordable
It is happening in every country that black people are in the majority and these foreigners are getting treated better than the indigenous population by the country's government
Yes you are right this country Barbados have potential but the people that are citizens do not benefit much I live hear for eleven years and eight years no am unemployed I am a citizen here have a child here framing done a lot of monkey problems I cry all the time cause my child even have a disability and I have a mother back in Jamaica how also have a disability it's a very quite country but pros and cons
I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles and I hope things get better for you soon. Barbados 🇧🇧 is very beautiful with lots of potential. I wish more people in the Caribbean would make livable wages, I know Barbados 🇧🇧 is very safe but I hope the Caribbean can work together to control crime.
@carib21network ANNND, St. Vincent has roads going into mountains and curves and bends that you sitting there thinking you should get out the van if only you knew how to get back to where you staying! LOL
🤣🤣🤣 I felt the EXACT same way the first time I rode the College Savannah bus to Emerald City at DUSK. I was on the edge of my seat as the bus wound up the road looking down into what looked like a bottomless pit of jungle. Now with more trips and longer stays, it’s no where near as scary
As it relates to the ownership of land and businesses, Barbados has an open land/business policy( direct foreign investment policy) which allow any one from anywhere to openly purchase land or operate any business on the island. No real protection of favor's are given to locals. I hate that, to be honest, as you yourself have seen for yourself in your short stay. It marginalized the locals who simply cannot compete with the influx of outside wealth. On 5he other hand, the government will argue that it brings in much needed foreign exchange!
Thank you for sharing, that’s a common problem around the Caribbean region. I believe that we have to sit down with the leaders of the Caribbean and come up with ideas that will give Caribbean natives the opportunity to go into business or to scale small black owned businesses in the Caribbean.
Would you add anything to this list? Let me know! 👇
@carib21network Your list was perfect. For the sake of Internet attention span, it could be more concise. A few brief examples are fine, but multiple protracted anecdotes will try the patience of some. I stayed because I REALLY wanted to see/hear all the negatives, but it took patience (and time) to reach that point. 👍.
@carib21network, I do not agree with you that when tourism is being talked about that Barbados is not mentioned. You may want to revisit that point.
@carib21network, minimum wage $8 Barbados Dollars an hour? Really!!!!! Maybe paid to school kids who are working part-time to gain work experience, surely not paid to adults with a family😢😢😢
Bajans are the most friendliest, helpful peoples. 🇧🇧🇺🇲
Carib21, network, I agree with mostly what you said about Barbados. However, FYI Barbados is a popular and well known island for tourists, in fact Barbados is the third most visited island after Jamaica and Bahamas, so to say that St. Lucia is more better known is very misleading, in fact Barbados gets over a couple hundred thousand more than visitors than St. Lucia, do some more research, the Caribbean Tourism statistics organization website is a good place to start.
I'm from Zambia and have visited Barbados twice.
I also blended in just like a local. People only knew i was not from there when i spoke.
I love Barbados!! ❤. I love the bajans! Very warm and accommodating people.
I can go as far as say it's a home away from home.
I went to Oistins and enjoyed grilled fish and music!!
I went back to my villa in the bus at 2am and didn’t feel threatened at all.
I miss Barbados and can't wait to go back again. ❤
Thank you for watching all the way from Zambia 🇿🇲 I would love to visit your beautiful country one day and I’m happy you enjoyed Barbados 🇧🇧 the people are friendly and the island 🏝️ is beautiful and amazing
What a tremendous observation by this jamaican🇯🇲 brother. One of the best jamaicans I've heard. I'm from SKN 🇰🇳. We saw the same thing this brother is speaking of on our visit to Barbados. I told some of what he's saying to my brother back in st kitts. This brother is also correct about st kitts & Nevis. Barbados has created a Caribbean Oasis in our region. I love it, but im also jealous 🇧🇧. I hope St kitts and nevis follow Barbados. We met trinis, j'cans, vincy' Dominican, St Lucians, Africans,living in Barbados.My We also visited Bermuda and the Bahamas. Respect brother.🍺
Thank you for watching and sharing your experience I hope to get to St Kitts & Nevis soon
Growing up in Barbados values and respect was paramount.and still is.
🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
I can give you credit for your speech on Barbados Swan Street being clean and garbage free. THANK YOU! I'm a born Bajan.
Thank you for watching, swan street is the cleanest shopping street that I have seen anywhere in the Caribbean
I’m a returning visitor to Barbados multiple times because of the beauty and most importantly the genuine kindness of the Bajan residents. It is the most safe and friendly island I have been to in all my travels. The struggles that the citizens have endured in history and presently have not turned them sour. The options for accommodations is plentiful. We choose an apt rental nearby shopping and buy our own groceries. Good plan to bring your own coffee,tea,Kleenex etc. or things you use a lot of. Paper products are extremely expensive. We gave up on the car rental for cost ,confusing round abouts and found the roads too rough in areas. Taxis some of the time is required.It is expensive in Barbados but where we live in Vancouver 🇨🇦is more so. The feeling of home upon arrival every time. “Cheese on Bread” coming back in 2025🇧🇧 ❤
Thank you for sharing and I’m happy that you really enjoyed and love your time in Barbados 🇧🇧
Thank you for your honest and comprehensive observation. You are completely right in every area.
I am a Barbadian. Your findings are accurate, one of the most accurate ones I've seen thus far.
Thank you for watching and I have a strong love for the Caribbean and my goal is to go to all the islands and document what’s happening and to challenge the leaders to make changes.
As a bajan, I concur with your findings. You did a great job. It was an honest assessment.
Thank you for watching, I really love your island and the leader 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Quite informative. Yes, rum is a quintessential thing in the Caribbean. St. Kitts and Nevis, no exception. Afterall, the Brits found out that their cash crop, sugar cane, produced a stronger alcohol than barley which didn't grow well in that tropical climate. As pubs are to Britain, rum shops are to the Caribbean. Alcoholism easily fosters repeat business. It's a money thing.
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Jamaican born Bajan here.🇧🇧🇯🇲❤️❤️ This is nostalgia for me. Everything said here is truth. Happy Independence Bim🇧🇧🇧🇧🥳🥳💫💫✨️💫
Thank you for watching, are you in Jamaica now ?
Very good to have someone’s unbiased opinion and perspective on the various Caribbean islands. Much of it certainly reflected my experiences. Thank you for your exposure as most of us will not get the opportunity to visit some of these islands.
Thank you for your support 🇧🇧🇧🇧
I agree with your comments and l am from 🇧🇧 Barbados great observation keep it up
Thank you very much for your feedback 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Good job on wearing our national colours
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You are accurate in the assessment of Barbados. Every word you spoke is true..
Thank you for watching
In the U.S., most of the businesses in many Black neighborhoods are owned by Indians, Middle Easterners, and Asians. I once watched a Liberian RUclipsr go shopping for a stove in Liberia. Both of the stores she went into were owned by Indians. Even in Africa Black people don’t own many of the businesses in their countries.
A now deceased White Barbadian businessman who grew up dirt poor in Barbados but became a millionaire, mainly in the construction industry, once said his family became rich while many Black families did not because Black families encouraged their children to pursue white collar jobs instead of jobs like construction.
Yes it’s sad that in the Caribbean and Africa more outsiders can come and control all the businesses.
@@carib21network The powers that may be allows this.
This!
I believe that it is because we are ‘scared’ to take risk. And we tend not to trust our family members and friends enough to pool together for investment and business like Asians do, which would spread out the risk and make it easier to establish businesses.
Balanced and honest review. Yes, the minimum wage is still $8.50 for shop assistants (various basic jobs like this, domestic workers, security guards etc each have a minimum wage set by government, but often are paid more today) but government is working on increasing this as we speak. Getting employers to agree is the difficulty. Unionized workers tend to get better pay.
You did a great job on Barbados please come again it's a beautiful island ❤❤
Thank you and I definitely will be back for crop over and for a street food tour 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Guyanese born Canadian here and just listening to you is bringing back memories. I've been to Barbados FIVE times for holidays (including my honeymoon many moons ago) so suffice to say it's my fav place to go for holidays. I have to agree with you about the cost of living! On one of my trips we decided to rent a bungalow (instead of the hotel route) thinking that we would save money doing the grocery thing etc. Boy were we wrong! lol!
Thank you for watching and yes grocery is really expensive 🇧🇧🇧🇧
I am from Barbados. Your observation is on the money. I am not sure what the minimum wage is though. The retail industry is mostly imports. So that gives a big advantage to people from outside who have contact information and knowledge of trade that locals don’t get exposure to. Rum is the second biggest foreign exchange earners in Barbados, Second only to tourism. So most of the rum is consumed by tourists even though it is popular at the rum shops where you can usually also buy food. If you had taken the government run public bus, there is no music allowed but you do need exact fares.
Thank you for watching, and yes we did take the Government bus and it was a way better experience than the small bus. And I like that tourist was at the rum shops experiencing local food and drink 🍺 it was good to see.
My apologies I forget to say thanks for sharing your findings. As Barbadians we can review and reflect.
Thank you very much for watching and I definitely will be back to do my food tour
Very positive and true assessment. I am a bajan living overseas and have almost the same views especially when you talk about minimum wages should at least be 14 Bajan dollars . I lived in Bermuda for 12 years and also in Jamaica for 5 years and one year in St Vincent so your opinion are facts I world in the hotel industry as an Executive chef currently living in the USA.. great job sir
Thank you very much for your feedback, we have very similar experiences I worked at the Jamaica 🇯🇲 Pegasus hotel for 10 years and at the 9Beaches hotel in Bermuda 🇧🇲 for 7 years and my wife is from St Vincent so just like you I have lots of Caribbean experience, thank you again for watching and sharing your experiences.
Chefette was founded by a Trinidadian who has died but he lived most of his life in Barbados, it is now run by his son, his children are born here. The people from the East who owned stores came here in the 1920's and by selling things to black people on credit who could not get it from the white people stores have been a help to poor Bajans over the last 100yrs. The started with things like cloth, watches, curtain material in a suitcase and caught the bus, later graduated to a bicycle, the old car, better car, they now own vans and stores. They are now about 3 generations of them that were born in Barbados, I went to school with Muslim and Hindu girls, they marry early mostly and the fathers are in the household unlike a lot of black bajans. The St Lucians, Vincentians and Dominicans are the ones who either came on boats or bought fruits from the boats when they came to sell to us, namely Plantains, Bananas, Oranges, Dasheen since 1940's. They have children, grand children, great grand children born in Barbados. Next time you come to Barbados take the blue Transport Board buses, no stupid loud music on those but you have to have exact change because they do not carry conductors. Sad to say cost of living is expensive and minimum wage sucks.
Thank you very much I appreciate the history lesson on your beautiful island of Barbados 🇧🇧
I would mention that Haloute's parents came from Syria and settled in Trinidad initially, and after a visit to Barbados they made the move here when Haloute was very young, and brought along more family with them.
246 to the world. Glad that you came to Bim.
Thank you 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
@@carib21networkyou said when people talk about tourism in the Caribbean, Barbados is not one of the islands that come up? I don't know where you got that thought from but it is very misleading. In fact Barbados is one of the main islands that comes up and is mentioned as being one of the more popular tourist islands, and I am not just saying so, do some research buddy, that is how we get so organized through experience. And you mentioned that St. Lucia is mentioned and not Barbados? Well buddy again you are misleading, do your research and you will find that Barbados gets about a couple of hundred thousand more tourists that St. Lucia every year. The facts are written and speak for themselves.
3:05 They do have one of the highest literacy rates, I think that plays a big part. Did you notice how all the school kids have on neat and tidy uniforms for school? I believe that sense of pride instilled early on helps them
Thank you for sharing. And no I did not know about the highest literacy rate but I know most of the schools in the Caribbean you have to wear uniforms and they take pride in the schools that they attend. All I know is that the leadership of Barbados 🇧🇧 is doing something good and the other islands need to find what’s going on in Barbados 🇧🇧
@@carib21network I'm pretty sure it's one of the highest in the carribean
Very accurate description 🇧🇧🇧🇧👍🏽
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Very honest observations thank you. Sticker shock in the supermarkets is real but freight is not cheap. Rum shops are not just for firing one, they sell groceries. Quite a few of Swan Street stores are second and third generations operated. We Bajans may not be readily welcomed to set-up shop in neighbouring islands but our neighbours have long been welcomed here. Suttle Street is where Dominicans and Lucians used to ply their trade. Glad
Thank you for sharing, one thing I really did observe is that Barbados 🇧🇧 seems to be one of the most united islands in the Caribbean. I saw businesses from Jamaica 🇯🇲 Trinidad 🇹🇹 St Vincent 🇻🇨 so that was really good to see.
You forgot to mention the genuinely warm and friendly islanders. Some of the sweetest people until you “mash dem corn”
Yes the people are amazing
In Barbados music is actually Ban on ZR... (Route Taxi)/ transportation but these guys do it ... Also only one passenger should sit in the front seat ... there is information posted in the vans you can see in the owner , no.of the van etc .. in the terminal there is also a complaint section if you are not satisfied with your experiences...... hope you had a good time.... feel free to come again 🙏we welcome you ☺️☺️🙏🙏
I will definitely be back for crop over and also to do a food tour 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
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@@carib21network..... Crop Over is our biggest festival I am glad you had that experience and had a really good time.. please come again it's going to be better next year.
In Barbados it is common for multiple generations to live in a house. For example, you might see grandparents, parents, and grandchildren living under one roof. That’s how many Barbadians can survive on low wages.
Yea that’s sad 😞
Well you also failed to say that salaries in Barbados is among the highest in the Caribbean. In addition, you did not mention free school meals, free education, school children travel on the buses for free, free text book loan scheme for school children, funeral insurance for citizens, free health care, reverse tax credit for those earning less than 12,000USD yearly...
@@JB-jc8ps What you speak to was yester year today is not the same with Bajan nuclear families
@carib21network why do you think it's sad? In barbadian society, the concept of the extended family has always been prevalent across the spectrum. It is one of the foundational pillars In raising our children to being productive adults. By the time they were ready to transition to their own home and start a new family, they would have been not only settled in a job but would have accumulated savings from not having to pay the full cost associated with living on their own. So there are indeed many benefits to being in such a situation. It is not unusual to find one family owing ajoining plot of land. Like anything else there are pros and cons, but again, this is how bajans have always structured their family units, hence the popular saying "it take a village to successfully raise a child to adulthood."
There is nothing sad about this, it is actually advantageous to families to pools their resources and reduce individual cost.😊
In Barbados Healthcare is free,education from primary to tertiary is free.Transportation on government buses are free for all citizens from 65 years and over and also available for students from primary to tertiary level.Student who travel on private vehicle pay because they want to do that.There is also a school meals program where lunch is provided every day at primary xchools.There is a breskfast program too.Students at primary and secondary schools have access to free optical and dental care. I am glad you enjoyed my island home,I enjoyed watching your content.Blessing to you and family.
I'm glad you visited Barbados my birth island and had a great experience, I was told on my visit there not to drive in the ZR's, if I must take a bus use the Transport Board buses.
Thank you for watching. When I visit any country in the Caribbean I want to get the local experience and public transportation and going to the market are 2 of the best ways to experience local.
You deserve an award for reporting what you saw and that's beautiful. some people have to take care of their aging parents and work at the same time , and it makes their pensions small at pension age so they wouldn't get very far in life without some help
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@ Richatd Gamble...why are those in the USA "poor and suffering" their families in Barbados would have educated them, in a mostly Free system. So to behave as though they should not have a responsibility to assist those that was left behind is nonsense.
This is how it works regardless of where in the world you are from.
Our government have National Insurance that everyone can contribute to so that they can have a pension when they can no longer work. So none of your comments speaks to what is actually talking about.
Thank you for watching. Base on my experience in Barbados 🇧🇧 I still believe that Barbados is one of the best ran islands in the Caribbean, but all the Caribbean islands could still use so work like living wages, affordable housing and for Caribbean nationals to run more of the businesses
@@dr.carolphillips1351 it make sense what you said but what do you think about some people that had to spend a lot of their time taking care of their elderly parents that caused their pensions to be very small, and do you think a system should be put in place to help those kind of people earn more at their retirement ages? I am happy for your reply so I did some back tracking
@@carib21network You are very right it's a good idea
Well done, excellent observation.
Thank you..
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Thank you for speaking the truth about my country would like to show you around next time you come
Thank you for watching and for the offer please connect with me on instagram it’s Carib21Network I will take you up on that offer when I come back next year 🙏🏿
I'm Bajan. No lies detected.
A couple comments.
1. Minimum wage: Many folk have a side hustle. Many reputable businesses pay a decent wage, ignoring the minimum. Also, remittances help. Many folk do find a way to purchase land or improve their homes. Barbados has a large middle class and a good pension, welfare system. Note too, basic healthcare and education are free.
2. Wealth distribution: Bajans do not have a strong heritage of entrepreneurship in retail, but, countering that, there are tons of Black lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, bankers, beauticians, nurses, mechanics, etc. Again, we have a large middle class, but our strength is not in retail or wholesale. That's where our White, middleastern and Indian population make their own fortune. Ours is everywhere else.
Thank you for the information it was very helpful, base on what I saw it was clear to me that Barbados 🇧🇧 was doing better than most of the other islands in the way it’s Governed.
You earned a sub for this honest opinion on my country.
Thank you for your support 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Hello Curtis, I'm Marlin and Nicole,s friend from the hospital. The host is married to one of my cousins.
I ❤ Barbados 🇧🇧❤❤
Thank you for always supporting. Are you in Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹?
@@carib21networkyes!
There are 3 types of buses in barbados, The ZR buses, mini buses and the transport buses, Next visit don’t take the ZR buses, you can take the barbados transport buses, those buses are big, they don’t play music you and your family would have enjoy the ride.
The ZR seems to run more frequently than the Government bus
Exactly why if I’m not driving (and only did for the first time in ‘22&’23) I hop on a ZR in a second. A person like myself who has issues with “time management “ 🤭 😆 can’t always afford to wait around for a transport bus when 15 Zara have passed by.
Signed a NYC born n bred Bajie
One of the issues of residual wealth or better yet generational wealth in Barbados is most families want their children to be lawyers, doctors, ministers, service people or tradesmen / tradeswomen. So I must say that entrepreneurship is not in most Caribbean DNA. I could be wrong but this is what I see, although I have a few businesses I still think we are lacking and needs to be taught to work on Generational wealth. Again you are right on point with your observation. I applaud you for what you do while enjoying your stay and vacation.
Thank you very much for watching, I believe that we in the Caribbean need to go back to working together and increase trade within the Caribbean and that will help with the cost.
You are speaking the true thank you
Thank you for watching. I honestly do believe that if we fix the issues in the Caribbean we will have thousands of people returning home 🏠
School children in uniform travel free on the government owned buses but a lot still catch these minibuses
Free travel for students is a great idea, Bermuda 🇧🇲 is the only other island that I know to have a program like that.
All countries are expensive
Thank you all for your favourably comments.
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Glad you and family enjoyed your visit do come again. Car rentals are mostly arranged before arrival.
Thank you, we normally rent the car before, but because it was not the busy tourist season we took a chance 😀but it was good to have my kids experience taking the bus 😀😀
i am a bajan but u r right , but they r cracking down on the mini buses with those NASTY make up songs , u can REPORT it to the police station , take down the # and they r also holding the owners of the vans responsible along with the drivers
Thank you for watching and yes someone shared that information with me, especially the music it’s really bad .
Great job again my family!!!!!
Thank you 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Awesome job on my home land,
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
I'm curious to know why are we suddenly seeing jamaicans so interested in the bajans land. I ask this because I remember Barbados and the bajes being the # 1 target of Jamaicans insults from way back in the day. Way before they began attacking Trinidad & Tobago. Jamaicans actually took those bajan to the CCJ court. There's also another jamaican brother from Canada on RUclips highlighting Barbados. What gives here?. My wife was the first to notice it. Yesterday the Bajans celebrated their 58th independence and 3rd republic status. We remember jamaicans joining with the white British colonizers, and oppressors in criticizing an insulting Barbados and Rihanna on that night November 30th 2021. Calling Barbados a fake republic, and hating on their national hero dress. Disgraceful, shameful act.🤔 Ironically guess who are the loudest voices for becoming a republic today.😏. For 60 plus years the only Caribbean island jamaicans were interested in was jamaica, Jamaica, and rightfully so it's their home. Nothing at all they would utter about their neighbors in Caribbean. So I'm very curious and surprised, of the sudden interest in Barbados the country they ridiculed most in this Caribbean region. Sometimes we have to revisit actions from the past to understand the future.
Good afternoon and thank you for watching and for your feedback. I’m a Jamaican born that live in Canada 🇨🇦 and I do understand your concern about the relationship between Barbados 🇧🇧 and Jamaica 🇯🇲 based on my almost 50 years on this earth I can honestly say that most Jamaicans love all Caribbean nationals but in life the haters are always the loudest. I know Jamaica and Barbados had some history going back to 1958 because Barbados was chosen to have the first Prime Minister but that was a political issue that had nothing to do with the average Jamaican. . Trust me I attended a Caribbean church in Canada 🇨🇦 and it’s all love so people don’t listen to the Jamaicans that hate. And plus we love your Prime Minister the most honourable Mia Mottley and consider her the Prime Minister of the Caribbean 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
@@carib21networkyou love her the most only because you hate your own.
@@carib21networkI concur
Most malcontents are wrong and strong. Sensible, saner people tend to be quiet and content, allowing noisemakers to have their way.
Social media has given everybody a voice, and that has allowed voices of reason to break through. The Caribbean, and definitely Barbados, is prone to classism. Middle-class Bajans and middle-class JAcans or Trinis are likely to get along very well. Lower class JAcans will always have beef with Barbados, and lower class Bajans are more likely to be vociferous in their opposition to Trini influences or a strong Jamaican or GT presence in Bim. Those were the voices we were hearing for so long.
Those are the insular ones likely to question a Usain Bolt athletic complex in Barbados or a Frank Worrell Cricket Grounds in Jamaica, unaware of the reciprocity.
What is happening is that all voices are finally being heard, not just the raucous few.
Bravo 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 very well said.
We have a dunce as pm in trinidad
I honestly don’t know much about your leader in T&T that’s my next stop
thank you
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Good. Review. So true
Thank you 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Rum was invented on the island of Barbados, while the statistic you quoted was, at some point true it is presently no longer the case. As a matter of fact Barbados has has the most churches per square mile than any other place on the planet..I think it was even mentioned in the Guinness book of records.
Thank you for sharing. The purpose of this channel is to encourage people across the Caribbean to take interest in other islands so I really appreciate your feedback 🇧🇧🇧🇧
In Barbados we will find people from every territory of the Caribbean
Very honest review… keep up the good work! Earned yourself another sub 👌🏾
Thank you very much for your support and we have lots more coming from different islands and also Canada 🇨🇦 and the USA 🇺🇸 Caribbean communities.
Great video. Enjoyed the narrative.
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Rum shops are a part of the barbadian culture from time and memorial.
Yes it seems to be a culture in most of the Caribbean islands
Yes, I am a bajan living in the USA
Of course the cheffette band is a Trinidad national living in Barbados
Barbafosbia very very expensive indeed.
That's so true.
The supermarket prices and regular souvenirs like Tshirts are expensive.
And the prices been getting higher.
However, Barbados is beautiful very beautiful.
Thanks for your honest opinions and you are extremely positive in your comments.
Thank you for your feedback
Yes, I am a bajan living in the USA
Of course the cheffette band is a Trinidad national living in Barbados
Barbafosbia very very expensive indeed.
That's so true.
The supermarket prices and regular souvenirs like Tshirts are expensive.
And the prices been getting higher.
However, Barbados is beautiful very beautiful.
Thanks for your honest opinions and you are extremely positive in all your comments.
The night driving you didn't comment on
However, its a very big concern drivers not dimming their lights on high beam and the over taking.
That's my biggest concerns.
Thank you for your feedback and I didn’t get to drive in Barbados 🇧🇧 we did public transportation for the entire trip
Your analysis is pretty accurate. Unfortunately, imports goods will always be expensive. Waffles/pancakes are basic flour mixes which Caribbean people will rather buy than make themselves. To some, a form of modernization, to others a form of laziness. The yellow mini buses are privately owned and therefore some exhibit crass behavior (profane music), the blue buses are government. Barbados is the birthplace of Rum. The irony is that Bajans are primarily not alcoholics. Bajans respect rum and drink socially. Thanks for your review! Barbados!❤❤❤❤
Thank you for watching and your feedback.
Your comments are spot on. I think you being from the Caribbean has definitley helped you understand the realities of the region, why things are the way they are, whilst your perspective shaped fromm living outside helps you to recognise the strenghts and weaknesses of these small societies. The public transportation issue is one we certainly have been wrestling with for many years (too long!). However, it's good (I guess) to know that we are not alone in not being able or willing to solve that problem.
Thank you very much for your feedback. The minibus system have been a problem since I was a child but I didn’t realize that it was a part of Caribbean culture until I started travelling to other Caribbean islands. The only island that I have been to with an amazing transportation system is Bermuda 🇧🇲 and I just wish the leaders in the Caribbean would sit down with each other to put ideas on the table that would solve most of the issues in the Caribbean.
You are totally correct
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧
Great content, bro.
Thank you 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
What you said about the minibus is so true; I was home on vacation and had to get off. It is ridiculous.
Thank you for watching. I was told that the Government will be working on fixing it next year
To be honest most Gov'ts have good intentions but short attention spans. They put things in place then let them fall by the wayside after a year. Music was once banned on the ZR vans.
I think you need to do your homework about the bus system in Barbados. The vans you mentioned is not the ‘bus system’ there. Those ZR vans are probably the 3rd rated there. The main buses are the big yellow and blue air conditioned electric government run system, then the yellow buses, then the ZR vans you mentioned. Those are the most regular but a lot of locals prefer not to use them for the reasons you mentioned!!!
Thank you for watching and I don’t need to do any homework I know the ZR the yellow bus and blue electric bus I took all of them. And most of the islands in the Caribbean have the same problem with the bus system . The Government bus in Barbados 🇧🇧 is amazing but the reality is that some areas have more access to the ZR than the Government bus 🚌
I am abajan living in canada and I agree with your finding ioften wonder why the government let other national come to take over our island but iam glad you had a good visit I don't take to vans there are horrible
Thank you for watching I’m also in Canada 🇨🇦 🇧🇧
I liked this man it's so real and true .
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Thank you for your Positive Thoughts of our Island Barbados you did a great job Most of the time you were on point
Thank you for watching, and yes Barbados 🇧🇧 is really a clean and beautiful island 🏝️
We have a vibrant cruise ship industry in Barbados and our tourism product is older than st. Lucia 😢
Thank you for watching. My personal belief is that the cruise ship industry is not beneficial to most Caribbean islands. The Caribbean island i know that benefits the most from the cruise ship industry is Bermuda 🇧🇲
The Gentleman here is merely giving his assessment of his stay on the Island based on what he was told by locals and what he saw while here... Barbados is beautiful place to live and work but it is not Bathing in Perfection .
Thank you very much for your feedback and I will definitely be back next year.
Some of the Indians are Barbadian born but they the indian language is past from generation to genration.
Thank you for watching and for the information
Great video…. I’m a Bajan in nyc. Agree, I don’t like foreigners owning local stores. This is something the locals should have on lock.. after all like you said, our blood, sweat and tears build these Caribbean islands… it must change on all islands, we must own them. I will subscribe.. thanks, good work and keep it up.
It's like the white man in NYC saying a Bajan is not allowed to own a business on Flatbush ave??? yea I get what you're saying
Thank you for your support, I don’t think it’s bad for others to operate businesses in the Caribbean but it’s just sad to see that most of the businesses are owned by foreigners and the locals are on the streets and in the market. More locals should operate big businesses
Sorry you had to that particular mode of transport. Locals and govt. are aware of the behaviour that goes on with minivans which are privately owned and theÿ have started to prosecute. Next time take one of the govt. buses-the blue one which are air conditioned and have WiFi. Sorry about that. The part about businesses is the the dependents of the are not interested in carrying on the businesses. Sad but true. Our Central Bank Governor has said that Bajans are not investing but the Bank has recently issued some Boss Bonds with very good returns and they have been snapped up so there is hope still. Lovely country and have lived overseas.
I disagree with you re: Barbados tourism popularity and marketing product. In the U.K. Barbados is a very popular tourist destination attracting the rich and famous and is well marketed. On the issue of crime Barbados does not have extreme poverty and the government generally takes care of the welfare of the people . Furthermore, education is taken very seriously resulting in one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Bajans understand the importance of tourism for for their economy and make sure that the island is conducive for it.
Thank you for watching but I think you misunderstood my point. I said in the video that Barbados 🇧🇧 has one of the best tourism programs that I have ever seen the only other island that I could compare it with is Bermuda 🇧🇲, but at the end of the year when they talk about top tourist destinations in the Caribbean it’s always St Lucia , Bahamas and Jamaica, that was my point. And the fact that Barbados 🇧🇧 is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean makes it great for tourism.
Why do people always compare the US money with things in the Caribbean?
Because what happens in the United States 🇺🇸 affects the Caribbean, back in 1970 and earlier the Caribbean feed its people with over %70 of what we had on the dinner table came from the Caribbean, but over the pass 40 years most of what’s consumed in the Caribbean comes from the United States 🇺🇸 that’s why we care about what happens to the dollar.
Because of the value of the exchange rate between the Caribbean countries and the US. That 2-1 exchange rate of the US $ in Barbados lets you know the true cost of good relative to the USA.
Because everything in the Caribbean is based on us prices with a Caribbean money as cashback vanity.
Antigua also has beautiful beaches also
I need to visit Antigua one day
My advice to visitors is to avoid getting on ZR vans. You can recognize them because their license plates say ZR. It's better to take a Gov't bus or a yellow bus which is privately owned. By the way if you do a comparison you will find that neighborhood shops are not cheaper than large supermarkets. Their markup is higher.
Thank you for watching
Barbados has no natural resources ,their main economy is tourism, majority of their food is imported Allegedly that is why their tourists injustry is top.
Thank you for watching. Oil is popping up all over the Caribbean so maybe one day Barbados will find oil and natural gas 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
I really enjoyed listening to your impressive summary of your stay and experience on the Island and I have to agree with you on the Matter of public transportation and food prices being costly;though I must say you should have gotten a Crate of 30 eggs around $20BDS😅
Thank you for watching and I really did enjoy my visit to your beautiful island 🏝️ I definitely will be back to do a island wide food tour
But that level of safety is being compromised. You also have to make the evaluation from the perspective of where in Barbados. Many Bajans will tell you that Barbados has become less safe but it is wonderful that you, as a visitor, felt welcomed and safe. Yes, Chefette is owned by a Trinidadian family. The members are now naturalised Bajans. While it is not fully appreciated, Bridgetown has to be one of the most multinational cities in the Caribbean for its size. It is actually a very large, sprawling city for an island the size of Barbados. You are spot on with your observation of wealth distribution. The reason why your observation in that context is so accurate is that the general view among Barbadians, particularly Afro-Barbadians, tends to suggest very strongly that too many Black Bajans sell out other Black Bajans in the form of accepting bribes and favours from other nationalities and ethnicities to promote the social progress of those other nationalities and ethnicities. This is a feature of life from the average man to the halls of government. In addition, given that Barbados is the party capital of the Caribbean, there is a growing view that the party vibe contributes to the lack of discipline and focus being seen among many young Bajans. While young people of other ethnicities and nationalities are dashing off to establish themselves in the world, many young Bajans are still at the starting line partying. Considering all that you've said, this is generally a good report with, of course, a few subjective views. (note: Barbados is entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.)
Thank you for watching and for all your additional information. One thing that fascinates me is that Barbados 🇧🇧 Bahamas 🇧🇸 and Bermuda 🇧🇲 are all surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean 🌊 I lived in Bermuda 🇧🇲 for several years and also visited Bahamas 🇧🇸 all beautiful islands
I thought Trinidad was the party capital of the Caribbean. But maybe only during carnival time?
@@NnekaLocs Trinidad doesn't have a tourism industry comparable to Barbados'. It is exactly because of Tourism that party events in Barbados are virtually year round. You're right in the context of Carnival.
And, you know this how?
@@vennetalewis2139 make a BIG guess. I'll wait.
How come you did not travel on the Govt electric busses, that arw aur conditioned snd gave free wifi?
Thank you for watching and yes I did travel on the Government bus also, but what I realized is that the minibus runs more frequently in some areas so most of the time that’s the bus we catch
Pal that is cheap in Trinidad it's $27 a dozen iam Barbadian but reside in Trinidad and i can safely say it's cheaper than Trinidad
Wow 😮 thanks for telling me, I will be in Trinidad 🇹🇹 next year so I have to prepare myself to spend big time 😀😀
Well Barbados imports every thing that is why.
Yes I realize that they import a lot
Public transport instead of private transport is better
Yes
Dollar van still going in brooklyn 2024 was there 3 weeks ago
Wow, long history in Brooklyn
Dollar vans are privately owned. Public transportation is government-owned and safer.
A lot of the major companies are not owned by local black bajans; that has been a norm for decades. It shows that foreign interests are more likely to invest in the country ; not locals.
In fact, Barbados has a long history of locals who leave its shores to find jobs and careers in other countries.
The disparity between the wealthy and average man is becoming more distinct; 30 years ago, a local could, with much sacrifice and penny pinching, purchase land or a house.
But with the island being touted as the playground of the very rich, land prices are out of the ambit of the average person.
The video is correct about the minimum wage; it is so low that those who work for it have to be content to live with relatives for the rest of their lives, or rent a room and live in a house with strangers.
All of the Caribbean islands have their advantages and disadvantages but Barbadosis far worse because only the very wealthy can really sustain a comfortable lifestyle.
Food is expensive because almost everything has to be imported.
Rent or mortgages are high because of rising land prices
Taxes are high and also amenities.
But you will never find in all of the Caribbean a more proud people; they are fiercely protective of their island and guard it jealously. It's weird. There are no race issues, almost 90 percent black people who do not cower to the other nationalities that do business there.
Thank you for sharing 🙏🏿
You're right about that Barbados is very very expensive as he'll
Thank you for watching and yes all the islands in the Caribbean are expensive because we get most of what we use from the USA 🇺🇸
12 eggs for $10 bds is crazy I get 30 eggs here in B'dos for $19 bds
$10 bds for a dozen is about the price I paid at Massy a few days ago.
Baje here. Kudos to the presenter for a fairly accurate opinions. Last 2 years $18 for 30 eggs from a small producer. Some shops do rip off customers.
Yea $10 for eggs 🥚 in the Caribbean is crazy and I didn’t even go to Massy . I stop going to Massy because I realize Massy in St Vincent was extremely expensive
I bought 2 crates of eggs for 38. 00 dollars last Monday.
Each crates contains 30 eggs.
@@carib21networkhonestly I believe you would have gotten a better deal at Massy, but everything else in the video spot on, great video
Im bajan and i just return yesterday. The place need a good brush clean up. The place have bad overgrowth brush. As for the transport system. Its a crazy out of control system with very little pending for bad behavior. The food prices would choke a horse. I find that people have no manners when you speak or try to ask a question. One bright spot is this. The workers in the ID department in Warren's were very professional in helping us get our new Barbados ID card. We couldn't get a new bank account open as Barbadians living abroad because we had no bill on our name with a bajan address 😅 Even when other family members vouch for us. Very backward
Enjoy your time home 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
While I respect your opinion and can't speak to your experience. Your analysis of the place you were born is most unfortunate and very myopic.
We are in the mist of a very rainny period and therefore there will be some overgrown areas..that is not the norm sir nor does it mean the place is dirty and need cleaning.
Like any other place on the planet you will encounter mild-mannered or even unmannerly people it does not representthe entire island. I am pretty sure you have it in abundance in your adopted home! The transport system is not up to par. Part of the reason being barbados is currently in the process of switching to green technology and the buses that have been on order keep being delayed by the manufacturers not being able to keep up with production. I hope in future your experiences are better and more importantly that you temper you negative statements about the island that molded you!
@@daveanthonysearles1999 listen man. Excuses is for loosers. I call it the way I see it. I'm an much older Barbadian living overseas and Barbados is worse off that in my grandparents life. Government don't seem to care about the people or country. Maybe if there spend the money on the island upkeep instead of those Benz cars I saw with flashing police light and siren Barbados 🇧🇧 would be in a better place. The place looks old and raggedy. The roads not fit for a donkey cart. Thousands of cars on the street are no roads repairs, building or maintenance. Give us a frigging break.
The Barbadian,s that remains and live and work on this beautiful island, also travel and visit your adopted countries.
And most times when we get to see where you live and the conditions it is very disappointing.
You all could,da stan home smh.
@roslyndaniel2687 thank you, it always erks me when I read people negative comments about where they were born and bred. Most of the time when you look at their situation in the county they have adopted, often times you realize they are worst off or just working 2 or 3 jobs just to keep up the facade..shame on them smh..no pride 😞🇧🇧
I must say that your observation was dead on point. However, as you mention some of the negative is a Caribbean thing and I too would have think that these things would change. So is life and every thing can't be green. But I love your unbias opinion. These things bother me also especially the mini vans \ conductors where every one is speeding to go no where. Trying to full a mini van and speeding is a hazard to the passengers on the vans and you still miss the people who came out a few minutes later. Although the van drivers if they see them will stop on a dime for them.
Thank you very much for your support 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
Everything you say is true.
Thank you for watching 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
What I am shocked about is having Barbadian milk, specifically Sunsweet Condensed Milk now being made in Jamaica....
Is it a bajan company?
I don’t have a problem with Caribbean companies doing business in other islands
@carib21network Yes, Pinehill Dairy is a Barbadian owned business unless they too have recently sold the business to a foreign entity....a lot of that has happened in recent years, many Barbadian white-owned businesses sold their businesses to Trinidad and Jamaican entrepreneurs/business persons....
@@carib21network I don't either, but the PLANT/FACTORY is IN Barbados....
Please take the Government buses next time you’re in Barbados. The vans you took are privately own they can be very scary and noisy . The government buses are air conditioned and electric.
Thank you for watching, yes i know about the Government bus, but what I realize is that the minibus runs more frequently and in some areas like St Michael parish we saw mostly private bus plus travelling the Caribbean I love to get the local experience too😀😀
The minimum federal wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour since 2009. Many states have hourly wages above the federal minimum. The Barbados minimum is $8.50 per hour Barbados dollars. Education from Pre thru college is free. Healthcare is free. Even the gas station workers in Barbados are Union members. Thanks for your honest observations.
Thank you for the additional info that is amazing. Base on what I see Barbados 🇧🇧 is one of the better run islands in the Caribbean, but some citizens from Barbados disagree with me .
Barbadians don't know how good they have. USA does not have free health care or free college education. The grass is always greener on the other side.
@@patrickforde2148 excuse you. Give me the American system any day of the week. Once you have a good job you can pay for health care. You can also get treatment adap instead of waiting months. That's why lots of us Barbadian can't live back in Barbados after experiencing this level of lifestyle. If I affended anyone I have no apology to offer.
@@carib21networkmost likely those that disagreed with you on how the country is run are playing politics and are opposition party supporters
@@carib21networkremember that minimum wage rates is just that minimum, but the rates vary, for instance I have an average job and I get $25 Barbados dollars an hour and I feel very under paid. But the minimum rate is just a bench mark for employers. let's look at it rationally, if most were getting that minimum wage and considering how expensive everything is, the country would be in chaos and all of those positives you gave would be all negative, and the negatives would be extreme.
Great job on your assessment of my country, It's all true, but I would like to know where you bought them $10 and up eggs? 😃You should have gone to Popular Supermarket or Cherish is more affordable
Thank you for watching I can’t remember the name of the supermarket but it’s In St Michael Parish
At least you say where you are based most vlog I watch I keep wondering "where in the world is this person"
It is happening in every country that black people are in the majority and these foreigners are getting treated better than the indigenous population by the country's government
We have to try and fix it one day 🇧🇧
All the beaches in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are free too
Yes I know that but when I was there this year sandals resort don’t like when you use the beach at their hotel
@@carib21networkthey may not like it but it’s a free beach. It’s written in our constitution.
Yes you are right this country Barbados have potential but the people that are citizens do not benefit much I live hear for eleven years and eight years no am unemployed I am a citizen here have a child here framing done a lot of monkey problems I cry all the time cause my child even have a disability and I have a mother back in Jamaica how also have a disability it's a very quite country but pros and cons
I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles and I hope things get better for you soon. Barbados 🇧🇧 is very beautiful with lots of potential. I wish more people in the Caribbean would make livable wages, I know Barbados 🇧🇧 is very safe but I hope the Caribbean can work together to control crime.
Eggo Waffles in the US cost $4.99.
St. Vincent has those vans too, but they are much better managed now....
Thank you for watching and yes I did take the mini bus in St Vincent and it’s actually faster than the ones in Barbados.
@carib21network ANNND, St. Vincent has roads going into mountains and curves and bends that you sitting there thinking you should get out the van if only you knew how to get back to where you staying! LOL
🤣🤣🤣 I felt the EXACT same way the first time I rode the College Savannah bus to Emerald City at DUSK. I was on the edge of my seat as the bus wound up the road looking down into what looked like a bottomless pit of jungle. Now with more trips and longer stays, it’s no where near as scary
Yes, minimum wage IS $8....which is atrocious considering the price of everything in the island
Yea that’s very low
Any type of Caribbean food you want, come to Barbados we mix up 😅
That’s what I realize the next time I visit I have to do a food tour
As it relates to the ownership of land and businesses, Barbados has an open land/business policy( direct foreign investment policy) which allow any one from anywhere to openly purchase land or operate any business on the island. No real protection of favor's are given to locals. I hate that, to be honest, as you yourself have seen for yourself in your short stay. It marginalized the locals who simply cannot compete with the influx of outside wealth. On 5he other hand, the government will argue that it brings in much needed foreign exchange!
Thank you for sharing, that’s a common problem around the Caribbean region. I believe that we have to sit down with the leaders of the Caribbean and come up with ideas that will give Caribbean natives the opportunity to go into business or to scale small black owned businesses in the Caribbean.