The yes please thing is how we are taught in schools. It shows respect/gratitude kinda for the person you're interacting with. To actually not say that would be considered rude to some people because they would think you have no manners or broughtupsie as we call it. But yes thanks works too. The yes please is more of a cultural thing. The hand signals are for the driver behind (because some of them dotish and clearly bought their license) so we use hand signals to tell them we are stopping, slowing down or that they can overtake us. My carib ean friends tease me for how I pronounce iron but our accent sounds very much like cockney from england so that along with our twang means our way of saying things is weird to others
I get ask if I am Scottish all the time they say my accent has a similarity to Scottish so Irish. I think it is because we learned our English from indentured servants.
I am a Jamaican & I do the hand signals sometimes. Why? I was around an older driver, so I picked up some of his old habits. I think its a good gesture, because someone behind you might be coming at a speed & not seeing whats in your vision, & to prevent an overtake ,and a potential accident you kinda "flag them down"
I am bajan and I do use the phrase "yes please" My aunt who moved to NY years ago hates to hear it and i have to remind myself when i am visiting her to just say "yes". she thinks "yes please" makes you sound like a child or sound like sound "slave". She sees "yes please" and "yes masah" as the same phrase
@@jamierocke It is pretty much used as an honorific in this case when you think about it. You use it for someone older or in formal settings, whereas you wouldn't with your friends.
I never experienced bad customer service in Barbados in 3 visits, one thing I have found to be annoying and rather dangerous is the incorrect use of using their high beams at night time
There’s a bit more to the slowing down hand signal. It’s not just to say they’re slowing down, it to warn you that they’re slowing for a reason and it’s not safe for you to overtake. For example, you know Bajans are super polite and they will literally stop anywhere to let someone cross the road. So, the last thing you want to do is overtake someone that’s slowed down or stopped to let an old lady cross. You might think they were just slowing down to let someone out or something and go around them. The ‘Iron’ thing made me laugh. My Mum says ‘earn’ or ‘urn’. LOL!! I will never get used to the laid back attitude in regards to Customer Service in Barbados. Coming from London and a frequent visitor to The States, it’s like night and day. It’s so hard to remember it’s so much more relaxed in Barbados. One thing you didn’t mention though was the ‘toot-toot’ you give a driver as thanks for letting you out of a side road etc. I love that so much and it puts a smile on my face every time I have to do it or someone does it to me!!
Maybe so allowing someone to cross the road but really that's dangerous especially at the end of a roundabout where there are pedestrian crossings very dangerous!!!!!🙄🇧🇧
@@alioucisse1548 - Yes, but as I said, when people see the Brake Lights, they could think you're pulling over to let someone out. So, you could drive around them and hit someone crossing the road
Im a barbadian and you are spot on with your points. Bajans are nice when it come to giving directions, giving a pregnant woman or elderly person a seat on the bus or van, asking for the time etc. But WE LACK GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE 95% of the time Everything else you said is true. Saying yes please sounds 100 % better than a simple yes or no. Ive travel to countries where people answer "what" or "ha" & it really irritates me.
Because of the British colonial past which has with it the Church of England/ Anglican Church, Sunday is called "The Lord's Day". This is enshrined in legislation. In the Shops Act of Barbados it provides that employees can not be forced to work seven days a week because Sunday is the Lord's Day. Stores and other establishments that open on Sunday have to meet certain requirements so they are not in breach of the law.
As a kid when I visited my family in 80's thought same thing..but honestly in America most businesses were closed on Sundays..this changed in America in the 90's 1nce they realized $ was being lost. The morals went out he window.That could be a good or bad thing that shows we are getting more focused on doing whatever 4 money as opposed to what's right??
That’s an interesting perspective. I think I’m seeing it more from the perspective of providing service versus opening to make more money. There’s just something warm and community-like about your local mom and pop cafe being open on a Sunday. There’s also the perspective of commerce marrying with convenience for the customer. This can also be beneficial to staff because they can get the option of extra shifts to be able to provide for their families. Or even college kids looking for part time work. But I definitely hear you about there being two sides to that coin.
When learning to drive in Barbados, you are taught to use hand signals. I believe we use them to ensure the driver behind or near you is aware of your actions and avoid miscommunication. Especially if you are letting someone cross in front of your car. I personally use ‘yes please’ sarcastically or if I’m speaking to an elder, otherwise it’s ‘yes, thanks’. Something unusual/different to me would be all the different ways we use the horn and signaling lights when driving.
In Europe we are taught to respond “Yes please” or “No thank you” when being asked, “Would you like………….” “Please” and “Thank you” are extremely important and are taught at a very early age.
Hi Jamie, I'm from France living in Canada now and most businesses are closed on Sunday in Europe. Over the past years, it has became less strict but it is still very frequent. As for the UK, I've never seen them doing these hand signs, that's very funny though! Thank you for sharing your experience, it's highly interesting :)
You’re right! When I was living in England I never saw anyone use hand signals either. I’m trying to figure out where it would have come from?? 😄 interesting to hear about businesses being closed on Sundays in Europe. I think it’s great to have a weekend break 🙂
The hand signals was in the hi way code in England,cars ,motorcycles,cyclists.hand out to turn,the up and down wave for slowing down or stopping and hand palm to stop,something like that 😊
@@ebonytv3414 It is taught in Barbados the same way, though drivers mostly drop the practice after finishing training like everywhere else. It is retained however for situations where it would be dangerous for others to overtake.
@@stephenwaldron2748 not sure if it’s still going on as I haven’t been for a few years,but it was definitely part of the hi way code in the 80s And definitely on motorcycles.
The customer services are horrible if you want good customer services you have to go to high-end places like the crane restaurant, tides restaurant, or champers worst customer service is cave shepherd and this restaurant in St James.
Regarding the hand signals, it's not really every time you slow down, but it's more of a gesture for persons not to overtake called "flagging down". It's usually used when there is a pedestrian, when there is traffic that would conflict with overtakers, like someone exiting in front of the stopped car, when the driver has to step out of the car for some reason, or if the driver wishes to speak to someone already passing beside them. Most roads in Barbados are only 2 lanes in width, so overtaking is common, plus pedestrian infrastructure isn't superb so there is a lot of what might be considered "jaywalking" elsewhere. If you see a car with a hand out of the window flagging, it is fairly dangerous to attempt to pass it on either side, from the same lane or the opposite.
Customer service does not exist in barbados for a country that so heavily depends on tourism. The rude , cavalier, dismissive behaviour begins at the airport and follows thru to restaurants, hotels, grocery stores etc. Cave Shepard is the worst . To be honest they are very nice to white tourist. Sad but true and l am of Bajan heritage on my mothers side .
That is exactly why I mentioned it! Barbados is a known and popular tourist destination, so its unusual that customer service is generally lacking. I will say that the only place you'll get guaranteed impeccable service, is at the fine dining restaurants. They usually go above and beyond for all customers.
@@jamierocke that's true love me some Chin Chin and Th e Cliff. We went there for my grandmother's funeral a year ago and at the airport we were waiting in line to go through immigration. It was very crowded that day so these young white guys from a British flight release the little rope thingy that controls the line so that they didn't have to wait. Why did one of the customs officers come and start yelling at me and my siblings and assumed that we had to be the ones that released the rope. This white lady laid into him for accusing the only black people in the line. We demanded to speak to his supervisor and an apology. Ridiculous.
@@jamierocke true story. But we weren't surprised we expect it from our own. When white people in Toronto talk about how nice and friendly bajans are I am like to yall not to other black folks.
When l first hired a car, I noticed the locals didn’t turn on there headlights until it was completely dark and even then some still didn’t. Apart from that the people are really nice & friendly.
This is how we look at it... you enter a room and someone is already there...you have to speak first regardless...and it's called "bajan"..just like how jamaicans have "patois" that is how we speak...some of us are very elegantly spoken...you are going to hear a lot of backwards talk in Barbados....for instance...if someone wants you to raise the volume on a radio, TV ect...we say.."lower up the volume"😭😭makes no sense but we get it...I hope this was educational...great video btw..you know your stuff👍
Just found your channel and I am enjoying your videos. We have been living in Barbados for almost 18 months and I can definitely say that the "yes please" response is different. I just can't get with it.
What you said about the tellers in the banks is true.i went into a banks once and the teller didnt even smile or even said hello.i said goodmorning and she didn't even respond..with a teller from another bank,she was very nice.i told the manager afterwards that the teller at the particular window was so very nice.
I agree in regards to the Customer Service. I love Bim it's everything to me but YES the Customer Service is horrendous, it's almost like they are doing YOU a favour by them serving you. I was in Massey one day and this chick was having a whollllllleeeee damn conversation on the phone and we had to wait till she was done. This type of disrespect sooooo angers me but yes not all! I have met some AMAZING customer service representatives but unfortunately that one or two negative interaction with a service person can upset your whole vibe!
I also thought the hand signals were to help those of us from the US who aren’t used to driving on the left side of the road. And they are very considerate drivers!
interesting video as always :) love the hair+color as well. I‘ve actually never seen the hand-signals when I was in Barbados. Btw I think a very interesting video topic would be the beauty standard in Barbados or the caribbean in general
Hi Jamie! Just found your channel today and have been binge watching all your videos because I might (fingers crossed) be moving to Barbados soon! Love your videos and your personality so subscribed! :)
In terms of customer service, while i think it generally sucks, there are two factors that you should include in your discussion and one cultural element. The first is the type of establishment you are going to. Certain places you get better service at because those are places that regularly interact with tourist like hotels, restaurants and shops (in the tourist belt) and tourist attractions. But for other businesses where tourists do not normally frequent you do not find a heavy emphasis on customer service like banks (it is rear to find a tourist in a bank here in Barbados and come to think of it with the exception of the 2 years i studied in Trinidad I never go to the bank when overseas.) The second consideration is just the awful truth; your customer service experience depends on your colour and your accent. If you are "visibly" a tourist, ie you are white, you are more likely to get good service. British rapper Tinie Tempah recently experienced this first hand while here in Barbados. Persons may rationalise it as being a vestitude of slavery but i believe that Bajans in the service sector believe Barbadians are terrible tippers. Finally it is a cultural quirk; I find many Bajans get annoyed when they go to establishments and ppl are running up behind you offering to help even before you had a chance to properly set foot in the establishment and look around. Bajans do not like to be "hounded or pestered" when they shop. Bajans like to take the chance to browse, look, asses and then if they want help they will signal you. So you may find in places store attendants hang back and give Bajans "breathing space" and then if they observe that shopper mulling over something or if the shopper starts looking around the attendant will appear. Just yesterday i went to Harmony in the Walk looking at dresses and within the space of a minute 3 different attendants approached me about "helping me." Within minutes I was out the door because I was just browsing and here are these ppl up in my face harassing me bout dresses even b4 i had a chance to see what was on the dang racks. Even when i am in the US (where i think customer service is much better) when shopping i like the stores where i am left alone to browse; Macy's, JCPenny, Burlington, Nordstrom, C21 (thought that shut down now) etc. Yeah its a Bajan thing
The hand signals are a very useful safety feature. It is almost always used where it would not be safe for a vehicle behind to overtake. There is no indicator signal that can say that
@@jamierocke The situation in Barbados is unusual. A lot of tourists, a lot of minibus traffic carrying locals and tourists - and these stop frequently in the road as well as at bus stops because they need to maximise their fare income. The roads are very narrow, often with no or inadequate pavements, and the road surfaces poorly maintained.
I had to repeat "iron" to myself just now. You're absolutely correct, we pronounce it weirdly, lolol. The "no, please" and "yes, please" grind my gears to no end. It is subservient and doesn't make any grammatically sense. I wish we would do away with it. The rudeness in customer service is unbearable. It's crazy that we have to address them first and appease them with our greeting in order for them to do their job. It's another thing we need to banish. It's always refreshing seeing yourself from the "outsider's" perspective. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work!
When I first heard someone say “iron” I literally cackled cuz I thought they were being funny. But then I realised, oh wait, no that’s how it’s pronounced. 😅. Thanks for commenting MWelanie!
We pronounce it weirdly? 😂😂 It's everyone else, I mean look at it: "i - ron", long sound i, relaxed o, "i - ron", What is "iirn"? 🤣🤣 My family actually pronounces it either way though lol, but "iirn" just feels like a quick way of saying "i-ron" to me, so either way haha 😄
Just came across your post hence the late-ish response. We say iron because that's exahow it is spelt. I think if we were to say IURN we would have to see it spelt that way. We were never taught that the 'r' is silent. Lol. I don't think hand signals are necessary but we are taught them when learning to drive and have to use them when we do the driving test.
They picked up that yes please from watching American tv. I live in the u.s and sometimes I say it too. Yes please is said with excitement and great anticipation for something you wanted to get done and because it was something you really wanted or something you really wanted to get done and you are so excited and thrilled we said yes please . To emphasis the yes. The yes isnt enough to emphasis how thankful we are we add the please behind it .
I'm a Bajan but live in California now. Cool video. I only use hand signals when in bim but only if I need to stop suddenly or fairly quickly because folks don't always see your brake light. The yes please/no please response I learned as a little kid as part of having manners and being polite. Saying just yes or no is considered very rude in Bim and as a child could lead to some stern discipline lol
Hand signals r safer dan indicators reasons been is dat if u turning off a highway into a side road n a vehicle comin in d opposite direction n dat indicator is flashing in d vehicle it don't necessarily mean it is flashing outside it could b blow n d on coming driver wouldn't know ur Turin n u couldn't end up dead so d hand signals r safer
Yes please is how some kids are taught to respond when summoned .. back in the day you could get lashes if yes wasn’t followed by the please… it annoys me to hear it also but people that say it believe they are being most respectful ..I live here and don’t notice hand signals really anymore .. as every one drives with their windows up and a/c on
I'm glad I watched your video, very interesting. You covered much that I haven't heard as of yet...except the description of terrible customer service-and by Bajans themselves. I've been in customer service and the negativity of this atmosphere would not only bring me down but would make my days seem so much longer. I'm not just surprised that people do it, but that employers put up with it. Why would one store/bank not see the opportunity to exceed in customer service and blow their competition out of the water? Mind boggling on a few levels. The rest I see as quaint and part of discovering a new culture. Thank you for sharing.
all good points.. will give you food from their tree and the shirt off their back but won't take your order properly or check up at you when youre dining in their restaurant lol
I am a born and bred Barbadian but I agree with you we are poor on customer relations. We weren’t always like that and I don’t know when, why or how we got here but you are CORRECT I remark about it all the time, doing business is like you are begging persons to be able to spend your own money. You can’t ask a question and get a proper or polite response. When COVID 19 hit and establishments had to be close I thought it would be a “wake up” call but it hadn’t changed anything. You are very correct.
I use yes please. I tell my son to say yes please. I grow up like that. Now iron. We are aware of the correct pronunciation of the word it all comes down to the bajan dialect we used. So it’s many other words and not just that one word. We speak broken English. Edit: imma bajan vlogger btw. Lol.
I am a bajan but what I dont like about some bajans like if you at a store and ask a question to the clerk, lots of other customers will jump in with comments or answers.
The thing about speaking first as the customer services is you are coming into business space not they are coming in to your space , that why the outsider has to speak first . That's just common courtesy in barbados . The hand signals are extra insurance that you know to slowdown ,stop or not to over take . Places open on Sundays just for half the day doe.
Naw gurl, most establishments I’ve been to in other countries they say “welcome to ..” or they greet you the time of day and ask if you need anything. They don’t wait for you to address them, because making you feel welcomed and appreciated adds to your experience and makes you want to spend your money there. It’s 1+1. 🤷🏾♀️
I was just going to say this. It's weird yes but the person entering the space is expected to speak first. As for iron I was cackling and thinking to myself if she heard it from a philipean she would be even more confused lol
Only learners use hand signals... if someone uses hand signals otherwise its because they stopped last minute or they’re trying to get the attention of persons going the opposite direction.
#1 the ppl, my apartment was ram sacked robbed while i stayed in Barbados, laptop, jewelry, clothing, electronics even brand name cologne was stolen my apartment trashed. Reported it to the police barely took a statement no investigation was done. I later figured out with the help of friends that it was the campus bus driver from UWI Cave Hill that did it who also turned out to be a friend of my landlord. Nothing came out of it. I also got inflated prices a lot i.e ripped off. my landlord also tried to block me from my apartment even though i didn't owe them any rent. Great beaches though !
The yes please thing is something that really became popular within the last 10 years or so .I first noticed it with school children doing interviews at school sports. I really never got the the need for hand signals but you do use them when a pedestrian crosses in front of you. Customer service does not exist in Barbados maybe because it's so bad I am noticing some companies are making an effort to try. Things I find interesting in Barbados the Post Office is the meeting /liming spot for pensioners karaoke is way more popular than it needs to be.
Ok. So the yes please thing right lol, (how you explained was funny) but anyhoo, so I wasn't raised to use it the way others did, but my sister and I was raised to be polite and mannerly so one day we noticed our neighbours used it when ever their parents would call them and we liked how it sounded(it sounded like they were being respectful) so we adopted it lol, which amused our mum. As time passed it just became the norm for me, however because I wasn't raised to, I never over used it. Now I don't use it that much unless necessary as you described-if someone is offering food or drink etc. I find children aren't taught when exactly they should use it, so it irks me when I praise a child and instead of thank you they say Yes Please. But I don't correct them because they aren't my children for one lol, and in their minds, they are simply being respectful, which is a good thing. But it's still irksome lolol. It really bugs a cousin of mine who is a returning national because she connects it to enslavement days, and in a sense that is where it comes from.(which is why you'll find some other communities do not do it) But the overuse of it, or a grown up using it in an unnecessary setting to another grown up, is what gets me.
@@jamierocke cause them were learn to use as manners me I do find it strange as a bajan when they use it myself. I literally be like this is not even a scenario for it 😂
I remember visiting family In Barbados years ago and there house was half painted and quite a few houses in the area were the same , they told me you don’t have to pay bills on half painted house because it’s technically an unfinished building or suttin . Is this still a thing or were they messing wid me ?
Nah the individual is actually correct.... property taxes are higher when the house is plastered and painted on the outside.... thats why many houses arent
It's expected that the Sunday lockdowns would have been due to the COVID protocols. I don't believe that it's rule of thumb for all businesses to be closed on Sundays. By the way, I enjoyed your vlog. All the best to you. Those hand signals you mentioned were likely used in Belize before your time, being a British colony. Before the "flashing " turn lights, cars were equipped with a turn signal indicator that shot out from the sides of the vehicle.
It’s not just about saying “yes please”, it’s the context in which it’s stated 🙂 I’ve lived in the UK, and “yes please” is not used in the same way that it’s used in Barbados.
@@jamierocke Hi Jamie, Here in the UK we learn to do arm signals when learning to drive. Arm signals are in the UK's highway code (page 71 in my booklet). In the event your signal/signals fail, how will your let other road users know your intension? Cycles and motorbikes also uses arm signals.
You are pretty much spot on with everything you said. You would think that if you enter a customer service business someone would politely ask if they can help? nope, not bajans. And I'll also say they do it more to black people more often than they do it to the white tourist.
Yes, you nailed it with that last part too. I've witnessed this too many times to not have noticed a pattern. There is some colourism that goes on. It also doesn't matter if the customer/visitor is Bajan/returning national either. If anything, it's as thought some of them *resent* the nationals more for having lived abroad. It's weird.
Maybe this Sunday we can search for an open cafe... ? 😏... so I find it unusual to greet someone at night by saying goodnight... in the US and other places.. goodnight means.. bye or I'm going to bed... it's not a way to greet someone
Just found the channel randomly and thought to myself that this sounds like a Belizean accent. Then yuh seh "states" instead of US or America and that mi confirm it lol Glad foh see wah next Belizean ya da Barbados.
Rude, poor customer service was the worst aspect of my stay in Barbados. Was on sabbatical at UWI Cave Hill. But the lady at the campus bookshop was gracious and always nice.
Is the common response "unusual?" No, if you please. (No, please) It isn't. Do I like to hear it, especially from the children, and would I recommend that you start using it? Yes, if you please! aka, Yes, please!
@jamierocke P'rapps! But then, so is colour vs color. We did have several hundred years of being a colony. I think it also very peculiar that the head of Jamaica, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is the king of ENGLAND. Hmmm! How colonial!!
I was born in Barbados so here look at it this way you enter a business you were there for a service I need to know as a person who's working there how can I help you so you have to tell me what you are therefore think about it that way
Nothing wrong or strange with yes please , it’s being well mannered!! I have and my daughter experience bad customer service especially in chefette, gas stations ..
I think you missed my point. I agree saying yes please is mannerly. It’s weird when the response is “yes please” and no one is offering you anything. 🙃
Our pronunciation of words is definitely colonial influenced😂, not influenced by modern British, but colonial influenced. (I.e old british, some african, irish, scottish and etc influences that created our modern Barbadian ways of pronounciation) So that's why we tend to pronounce most words phonetically, unless we speaking in some real bajan. Hearing your pronunciation of Iron sounds so bizarre to me lol. I'm gonna have to open my ears next time I'm around non Bajans and get them to say the word😂😂.
Most of the population derived from an uneducated enslaved population who could not read, so to suggest the pronunciation were phonetically derived would not be correct. However, as an African dominated society, what you hear is the interpretation of an African pronunciation passed down over the years.
@@therealmrmaximus I get where you're coming from (altho no, majority of the population today did not hail from uneducated ancestors-our ancestors brought African (working) medicine with them and taught the British traders to boot, this is part of modern medicine now, they already spoke and wrote in their own diverse, tribal languages, then went ahead and created an entirely new language(our dialect), and thensome, our early Enslaved ancestors were very educated, just not colonial educated, which I know you meant but I needed to mention all this😉) anyhoo, I was referring to modern day pronounciations of most English words we say, that tend to be phonetically sounding. e.g We tend to pronounce words like- Anna: Ah-nah/Ahn-nah. Iron: I-roh-un/Ire-ruh-un . Rihanna: Ri-ah-nah/Rih-ahn-nah. I didn't mean that the early form was phonetically derived esp because back then it was our dialect the enslaved created.(long before the Enslaved population grew) Focusing back on the period when the Enslaved were at a greater population(after the slave trade ended), I am pretty certain there was some level of colonial (grammar level) education by then. Either taught by freed slaves and or abolitionists most likely.
I guess this is your polite way of exiting Barbados 🇧🇧 but letting everyone know how annoyed you with certain mannerisms which you find ‘unusual’ to describe such displeasures. Yep your done and it’s clear that your living experience reflects how you really about the island
I can see why you’d think so, but these things aren’t annoying to me (except the rude customer service). I genuinely found some of these things just strange. 🙂 you’ll find a lot of bajans find some of these things unusual too.
Comments Add a public comment... michelle BF 1 second ago On the whole BIM is a mess. Customer service crap, ppl passive aggressive. I have been there over 20 times and always come back to the UK feeling like I went backwards. Its hard out there, but nothing beats the 3 S's of Sand, Sea and S.., so u have to take the rough with the smooth when u are out there and know that a visit will take you back in time about 50 years
The yes please thing is how we are taught in schools. It shows respect/gratitude kinda for the person you're interacting with. To actually not say that would be considered rude to some people because they would think you have no manners or broughtupsie as we call it. But yes thanks works too. The yes please is more of a cultural thing. The hand signals are for the driver behind (because some of them dotish and clearly bought their license) so we use hand signals to tell them we are stopping, slowing down or that they can overtake us. My carib ean friends tease me for how I pronounce iron but our accent sounds very much like cockney from england so that along with our twang means our way of saying things is weird to others
I get ask if I am Scottish all the time they say my accent has a similarity to Scottish so Irish. I think it is because we learned our English from indentured servants.
I am a Jamaican & I do the hand signals sometimes. Why? I was around an older driver, so I picked up some of his old habits. I think its a good gesture, because someone behind you might be coming at a speed & not seeing whats in your vision, & to prevent an overtake ,and a potential accident you kinda "flag them down"
I am bajan and I do use the phrase "yes please" My aunt who moved to NY years ago hates to hear it and i have to remind myself when i am visiting her to just say "yes". she thinks "yes please" makes you sound like a child or sound like sound "slave". She sees "yes please" and "yes masah" as the same phrase
Yeah, it does sound somewhat subservient
This is funny cuz my granny in ny hated it 😂😂....she say she her name isnt please
Funny! 😄
Not masah 😂😂
@@jamierocke It is pretty much used as an honorific in this case when you think about it. You use it for someone older or in formal settings, whereas you wouldn't with your friends.
I never experienced bad customer service in Barbados in 3 visits, one thing I have found to be annoying and rather dangerous is the incorrect use of using their high beams at night time
There’s a bit more to the slowing down hand signal. It’s not just to say they’re slowing down, it to warn you that they’re slowing for a reason and it’s not safe for you to overtake. For example, you know Bajans are super polite and they will literally stop anywhere to let someone cross the road. So, the last thing you want to do is overtake someone that’s slowed down or stopped to let an old lady cross. You might think they were just slowing down to let someone out or something and go around them. The ‘Iron’ thing made me laugh. My Mum says ‘earn’ or ‘urn’. LOL!! I will never get used to the laid back attitude in regards to Customer Service in Barbados. Coming from London and a frequent visitor to The States, it’s like night and day. It’s so hard to remember it’s so much more relaxed in Barbados. One thing you didn’t mention though was the ‘toot-toot’ you give a driver as thanks for letting you out of a side road etc. I love that so much and it puts a smile on my face every time I have to do it or someone does it to me!!
I’m a fan of the ‘toot toot’ 😌 so that’s not unusual for me. I do that in Belize 🙂
Maybe so allowing someone to cross the road but really that's dangerous especially at the end of a roundabout where there are pedestrian crossings very dangerous!!!!!🙄🇧🇧
The last time I checked all motor vehicles have brake lights. No need to stick your hands out the window.
@@alioucisse1548 - Yes, but as I said, when people see the Brake Lights, they could think you're pulling over to let someone out. So, you could drive around them and hit someone crossing the road
@@PhannyObsession why would anyone think that? Obviously if you are letting someone out you would pull over to the side, right?
Im a barbadian and you are spot on with your points. Bajans are nice when it come to giving directions, giving a pregnant woman or elderly person a seat on the bus or van, asking for the time etc. But WE LACK GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE 95% of the time
Everything else you said is true.
Saying yes please sounds 100 % better than a simple yes or no. Ive travel to countries where people answer "what" or "ha" & it really irritates me.
Because of the British colonial past which has with it the Church of England/ Anglican Church, Sunday is called "The Lord's Day". This is enshrined in legislation. In the Shops Act of Barbados it provides that employees can not be forced to work seven days a week because Sunday is the Lord's Day. Stores and other establishments that open on Sunday have to meet certain requirements so they are not in breach of the law.
As a kid when I visited my family in 80's thought same thing..but honestly in America most businesses were closed on Sundays..this changed in America in the 90's 1nce they realized $ was being lost. The morals went out he window.That could be a good or bad thing that shows we are getting more focused on doing whatever 4 money as opposed to what's right??
That’s an interesting perspective. I think I’m seeing it more from the perspective of providing service versus opening to make more money. There’s just something warm and community-like about your local mom and pop cafe being open on a Sunday. There’s also the perspective of commerce marrying with convenience for the customer. This can also be beneficial to staff because they can get the option of extra shifts to be able to provide for their families. Or even college kids looking for part time work. But I definitely hear you about there being two sides to that coin.
Customer service in Barbados is something that needs to be addressed.
When learning to drive in Barbados, you are taught to use hand signals. I believe we use them to ensure the driver behind or near you is aware of your actions and avoid miscommunication. Especially if you are letting someone cross in front of your car. I personally use ‘yes please’ sarcastically or if I’m speaking to an elder, otherwise it’s ‘yes, thanks’. Something unusual/different to me would be all the different ways we use the horn and signaling lights when driving.
Some supermarkets are open on a Sunday in Barbados, particularly in Warrens.
In Europe we are taught to respond “Yes please” or “No thank you” when being asked, “Would you like………….”
“Please” and “Thank you” are extremely important and are taught at a very early age.
Yeah, that’s general courtesy taught across the world.
Hi Jamie, I'm from France living in Canada now and most businesses are closed on Sunday in Europe. Over the past years, it has became less strict but it is still very frequent. As for the UK, I've never seen them doing these hand signs, that's very funny though! Thank you for sharing your experience, it's highly interesting :)
You’re right! When I was living in England I never saw anyone use hand signals either. I’m trying to figure out where it would have come from?? 😄 interesting to hear about businesses being closed on Sundays in Europe. I think it’s great to have a weekend break 🙂
The hand signals was in the hi way code in England,cars ,motorcycles,cyclists.hand out to turn,the up and down wave for slowing down or stopping and hand palm to stop,something like that 😊
@@ebonytv3414 It is taught in Barbados the same way, though drivers mostly drop the practice after finishing training like everywhere else. It is retained however for situations where it would be dangerous for others to overtake.
@@stephenwaldron2748 not sure if it’s still going on as I haven’t been for a few years,but it was definitely part of the hi way code in the 80s
And definitely on motorcycles.
The customer services are horrible if you want good customer services you have to go to high-end places like the crane restaurant, tides restaurant, or champers worst customer service is cave shepherd and this restaurant in St James.
Regarding the hand signals, it's not really every time you slow down, but it's more of a gesture for persons not to overtake called "flagging down". It's usually used when there is a pedestrian, when there is traffic that would conflict with overtakers, like someone exiting in front of the stopped car, when the driver has to step out of the car for some reason, or if the driver wishes to speak to someone already passing beside them.
Most roads in Barbados are only 2 lanes in width, so overtaking is common, plus pedestrian infrastructure isn't superb so there is a lot of what might be considered "jaywalking" elsewhere. If you see a car with a hand out of the window flagging, it is fairly dangerous to attempt to pass it on either side, from the same lane or the opposite.
Customer service does not exist in barbados for a country that so heavily depends on tourism. The rude , cavalier, dismissive behaviour begins at the airport and follows thru to restaurants, hotels, grocery stores etc. Cave Shepard is the worst . To be honest they are very nice to white tourist. Sad but true and l am of Bajan heritage on my mothers side .
That is exactly why I mentioned it! Barbados is a known and popular tourist destination, so its unusual that customer service is generally lacking. I will say that the only place you'll get guaranteed impeccable service, is at the fine dining restaurants. They usually go above and beyond for all customers.
@@jamierocke that's true love me some Chin Chin and Th e Cliff. We went there for my grandmother's funeral a year ago and at the airport we were waiting in line to go through immigration. It was very crowded that day so these young white guys from a British flight release the little rope thingy that controls the line so that they didn't have to wait. Why did one of the customs officers come and start yelling at me and my siblings and assumed that we had to be the ones that released the rope. This white lady laid into him for accusing the only black people in the line. We demanded to speak to his supervisor and an apology. Ridiculous.
Whoa that is crazy!
@@jamierocke true story. But we weren't surprised we expect it from our own. When white people in Toronto talk about how nice and friendly bajans are I am like to yall not to other black folks.
Hmm
Yes, please. I do, and I have lived in America for over 20 years. I still respond - "Yes, please"
🙂
When l first hired a car, I noticed the locals didn’t turn on there headlights until it was completely dark and even then some still didn’t. Apart from that the people are really nice & friendly.
you are correct about the customer service. im bajan and it blows my mind as well. even if they address you first it dont seem genuine
This is how we look at it... you enter a room and someone is already there...you have to speak first regardless...and it's called "bajan"..just like how jamaicans have "patois" that is how we speak...some of us are very elegantly spoken...you are going to hear a lot of backwards talk in Barbados....for instance...if someone wants you to raise the volume on a radio, TV ect...we say.."lower up the volume"😭😭makes no sense but we get it...I hope this was educational...great video btw..you know your stuff👍
Lower up the volume?? 😂
Just found your channel and I am enjoying your videos. We have been living in Barbados for almost 18 months and I can definitely say that the "yes please" response is different. I just can't get with it.
😁 it’s strange! Thanks for watching!
What you said about the tellers in the banks is true.i went into a banks once and the teller didnt even smile or even said hello.i said goodmorning and she didn't even respond..with a teller from another bank,she was very nice.i told the manager afterwards that the teller at the particular window was so very nice.
I agree in regards to the Customer Service. I love Bim it's everything to me but YES the Customer Service is horrendous, it's almost like they are doing YOU a favour by them serving you. I was in Massey one day and this chick was having a whollllllleeeee damn conversation on the phone and we had to wait till she was done. This type of disrespect sooooo angers me but yes not all! I have met some AMAZING customer service representatives but unfortunately that one or two negative interaction with a service person can upset your whole vibe!
Whew! I like Massy, but their cashiers, sometimes I think they think they own the place 😂
If the CSR is bad, then the product/goods/services they offer probably are too.
@@standelasanantone2180 true in regards to the service but not necessarily true for products .Some of the restaurants have very good food and drinks
yes customer suck in Barbados
I love your videos. I lived on Barbados two years ago for 10 months and I remember the hand signaling. Fond memories of a beautiful island ✨
Thank you!
I also thought the hand signals were to help those of us from the US who aren’t used to driving on the left side of the road. And they are very considerate drivers!
interesting video as always :) love the hair+color as well. I‘ve actually never seen the hand-signals when I was in Barbados. Btw I think a very interesting video topic would be the beauty standard in Barbados or the caribbean in general
You are so right on customer service. It stinks
Hi Jamie! Just found your channel today and have been binge watching all your videos because I might (fingers crossed) be moving to Barbados soon! Love your videos and your personality so subscribed! :)
thank you ☺️
In terms of customer service, while i think it generally sucks, there are two factors that you should include in your discussion and one cultural element. The first is the type of establishment you are going to. Certain places you get better service at because those are places that regularly interact with tourist like hotels, restaurants and shops (in the tourist belt) and tourist attractions. But for other businesses where tourists do not normally frequent you do not find a heavy emphasis on customer service like banks (it is rear to find a tourist in a bank here in Barbados and come to think of it with the exception of the 2 years i studied in Trinidad I never go to the bank when overseas.) The second consideration is just the awful truth; your customer service experience depends on your colour and your accent. If you are "visibly" a tourist, ie you are white, you are more likely to get good service. British rapper Tinie Tempah recently experienced this first hand while here in Barbados. Persons may rationalise it as being a vestitude of slavery but i believe that Bajans in the service sector believe Barbadians are terrible tippers. Finally it is a cultural quirk; I find many Bajans get annoyed when they go to establishments and ppl are running up behind you offering to help even before you had a chance to properly set foot in the establishment and look around. Bajans do not like to be "hounded or pestered" when they shop. Bajans like to take the chance to browse, look, asses and then if they want help they will signal you. So you may find in places store attendants hang back and give Bajans "breathing space" and then if they observe that shopper mulling over something or if the shopper starts looking around the attendant will appear. Just yesterday i went to Harmony in the Walk looking at dresses and within the space of a minute 3 different attendants approached me about "helping me." Within minutes I was out the door because I was just browsing and here are these ppl up in my face harassing me bout dresses even b4 i had a chance to see what was on the dang racks. Even when i am in the US (where i think customer service is much better) when shopping i like the stores where i am left alone to browse; Macy's, JCPenny, Burlington, Nordstrom, C21 (thought that shut down now) etc. Yeah its a Bajan thing
The hand signals are a very useful safety feature. It is almost always used where it would not be safe for a vehicle behind to overtake. There is no indicator signal that can say that
If it was so useful, why aren’t all countries using it? 🤷🏾♀️
@@jamierocke The situation in Barbados is unusual. A lot of tourists, a lot of minibus traffic carrying locals and tourists - and these stop frequently in the road as well as at bus stops because they need to maximise their fare income. The roads are very narrow, often with no or inadequate pavements, and the road surfaces poorly maintained.
I had to repeat "iron" to myself just now. You're absolutely correct, we pronounce it weirdly, lolol.
The "no, please" and "yes, please" grind my gears to no end. It is subservient and doesn't make any grammatically sense. I wish we would do away with it.
The rudeness in customer service is unbearable. It's crazy that we have to address them first and appease them with our greeting in order for them to do their job. It's another thing we need to banish.
It's always refreshing seeing yourself from the "outsider's" perspective. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work!
When I first heard someone say “iron” I literally cackled cuz I thought they were being funny. But then I realised, oh wait, no that’s how it’s pronounced. 😅. Thanks for commenting MWelanie!
We pronounce it weirdly? 😂😂 It's everyone else, I mean look at it: "i - ron", long sound i, relaxed o, "i - ron", What is "iirn"? 🤣🤣
My family actually pronounces it either way though lol, but "iirn" just feels like a quick way of saying "i-ron" to me, so either way haha 😄
Just came across your post hence the late-ish response. We say iron because that's exahow it is spelt. I think if we were to say IURN we would have to see it spelt that way. We were never taught that the 'r' is silent. Lol. I don't think hand signals are necessary but we are taught them when learning to drive and have to use them when we do the driving test.
😄🤭 thanks for commenting!
Most of the tourist ask the clerks many questions and hold up line. So yes some clerks are very patient and nice.
They picked up that yes please from watching American tv. I live in the u.s and sometimes I say it too. Yes please is said with excitement and great anticipation for something you wanted to get done and because it was something you really wanted or something you really wanted to get done and you are so excited and thrilled we said yes please . To emphasis the yes. The yes isnt enough to emphasis how thankful we are we add the please behind it .
This is false. Yes please has been around forever. I grew up with older relatives who said this as an adult. It has nothing to do with American tv.
I can’t remember the last time I saw or I actually did a hand signal while driving., and I am Barbadian living in Barbados.
Oh wow
I saw it the other day. Mostly with the vans when someone crossing the road.
5:16 "If you're a Bajan, tell me in the comments below if you use 'yes please'."
*Me a Bajan:* Yes please 🙂
😂 hilarious
Yes please and when I enter a bus I say good morning, when I take my ticket I always say thank you.
Some places are open in st philip like the supermarket, carters and marshall trading.
I'm a Bajan but live in California now. Cool video. I only use hand signals when in bim but only if I need to stop suddenly or fairly quickly because folks don't always see your brake light. The yes please/no please response I learned as a little kid as part of having manners and being polite. Saying just yes or no is considered very rude in Bim and as a child could lead to some stern discipline lol
😂 I hear you. All the best in California!
Still can go out .... but just town which is bridgetown will be close !! Beach partys can still have fun on sunday
We grow learning that yes by itself is rude and could come off as harsh so we and pleasd to be polite
Not all businesses like that, but some places the clerks are very nice.
Good observation on the customer service
Im from new zealand and when i asked my bajan boyfriend something he says "yes please" i thought it was just him who said that-
😄
Hand signals r safer dan indicators reasons been is dat if u turning off a highway into a side road n a vehicle comin in d opposite direction n dat indicator is flashing in d vehicle it don't necessarily mean it is flashing outside it could b blow n d on coming driver wouldn't know ur Turin n u couldn't end up dead so d hand signals r safer
Yes i have being in Barbados my first time there last year, and everything u said thats my experience..
Or how about, “yes please, thank you.” Had that one drilled into me as a kid 🙃
Hello dear thanks please, I really want to migrate from UAE to Barbados, how can I do that
Yes please is how some kids are taught to respond when summoned .. back in the day you could get lashes if yes wasn’t followed by the please… it annoys me to hear it also but people that say it believe they are being most respectful ..I live here and don’t notice hand signals really anymore .. as every one drives with their windows up and a/c on
I'm glad I watched your video, very interesting. You covered much that I haven't heard as of yet...except the description of terrible customer service-and by Bajans themselves. I've been in customer service and the negativity of this atmosphere would not only bring me down but would make my days seem so much longer. I'm not just surprised that people do it, but that employers put up with it. Why would one store/bank not see the opportunity to exceed in customer service and blow their competition out of the water? Mind boggling on a few levels.
The rest I see as quaint and part of discovering a new culture. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for commenting Cathy! I’m glad it helped in some way.
all good points.. will give you food from their tree and the shirt off their back but won't take your order properly or check up at you when youre dining in their restaurant lol
😂
Hry girlllll I love your videos straight forward and to the point 👉
Thank you!
I am a born and bred Barbadian but I agree with you we are poor on customer relations. We weren’t always like that and I don’t know when, why or how we got here but you are CORRECT I remark about it all the time, doing business is like you are begging persons to be able to spend your own money. You can’t ask a question and get a proper or polite response. When COVID 19 hit and establishments had to be close I thought it would be a “wake up” call but it hadn’t changed anything. You are very correct.
They will say you have a good day to insult you lol
With the emphasis on Sir or Mam.
😎 The differences that we all have between one another is what makes us interesting!🤣 👍🏾🙏🏾🇬🇧🇸🇪🇹🇹
its the hair for me
Thank ya! 😉
I use yes please. I tell my son to say yes please. I grow up like that. Now iron. We are aware of the correct pronunciation of the word it all comes down to the bajan dialect we used. So it’s many other words and not just that one word. We speak broken English.
Edit: imma bajan vlogger btw. Lol.
Yeah, the Bajan dialect is very unique. That word iron just stands out the most tho 😊.. and I’ll check out your vlogs!
@@jamierocke thanks much
So true about customer service
One one of the things people in Barbados are known for is good manners
I am a bajan but what I dont like about some bajans like if you at a store and ask a question to the clerk, lots of other customers will jump in with comments or answers.
Hand signals whilst driving is normal and the signals all have meaning. When in Rome
It’s actually not “normal” 🙂 I’ve travelled to a number of countries and I’ve only ever seen it in Barbados
I meant normal for Barbados, that is why I said when in Rome😊. You can get info from MTW about what they mean if you are a driver.
I’m a Barbadian, never lived anywhere else and I haven’t seen hand signals in many years.
Wow! Do you drive? 😂
@@jamierocke absolutely, almost every day.
The thing about speaking first as the customer services is you are coming into business space not they are coming in to your space , that why the outsider has to speak first . That's just common courtesy in barbados . The hand signals are extra insurance that you know to slowdown ,stop or not to over take . Places open on Sundays just for half the day doe.
Naw gurl, most establishments I’ve been to in other countries they say “welcome to ..” or they greet you the time of day and ask if you need anything. They don’t wait for you to address them, because making you feel welcomed and appreciated adds to your experience and makes you want to spend your money there. It’s 1+1. 🤷🏾♀️
I was just going to say this. It's weird yes but the person entering the space is expected to speak first. As for iron I was cackling and thinking to myself if she heard it from a philipean she would be even more confused lol
i'm laughing because it so true I do use ''yes please'' a lot
☺️
Other Caribbean islands pronounce iron " I run" your video was interesting and informative, thanks
Really? I haven’t heard it pronounced that way by other Caribbean people. Which ones?
Your hairstyle is so pretty. Is it "easy" as an African American woman to find hair salons for braids, wigs, and hair care products for "tough hair'?
Only learners use hand signals... if someone uses hand signals otherwise its because they stopped last minute or they’re trying to get the attention of persons going the opposite direction.
#1 the ppl, my apartment was ram sacked robbed while i stayed in Barbados, laptop, jewelry, clothing, electronics even brand name cologne was stolen my apartment trashed. Reported it to the police barely took a statement no investigation was done. I later figured out with the help of friends that it was the campus bus driver from UWI Cave Hill that did it who also turned out to be a friend of my landlord. Nothing came out of it. I also got inflated prices a lot i.e ripped off. my landlord also tried to block me from my apartment even though i didn't owe them any rent. Great beaches though !
I find it wierd saying "yes please" too. It makes no sense but people see it as being mannerly. Its rude to them to say yes and not add please.
Hmm interesting.
Yes is just too blunt for us
I’m picking up what you put down
I mostly hear children adding "please", not adults so much/barely if any at all
@@diplomaticvillain2462 My experience is the opposite. I’ve only heard adults say it. 🤷🏾♀️ Im sure kids say it but I’m not usually around children.
I born and live here .
The yes please thing is something that really became popular within the last 10 years or so .I first noticed it with school children doing interviews at school sports. I really never got the the need for hand signals but you do use them when a pedestrian crosses in front of you. Customer service does not exist in Barbados maybe because it's so bad I am noticing some companies are making an effort to try. Things I find interesting in Barbados the Post Office is the meeting /liming spot for pensioners karaoke is way more popular than it needs to be.
I feel like Bajans can make anywhere a liming spot 😂
Yes please was popular forever in Bim. I had an uncles who was in his 50s saying that when I was growing up.
Ok. So the yes please thing right lol, (how you explained was funny) but anyhoo, so I wasn't raised to use it the way others did, but my sister and I was raised to be polite and mannerly so one day we noticed our neighbours used it when ever their parents would call them and we liked how it sounded(it sounded like they were being respectful) so we adopted it lol, which amused our mum. As time passed it just became the norm for me, however because I wasn't raised to, I never over used it.
Now I don't use it that much unless necessary as you described-if someone is offering food or drink etc.
I find children aren't taught when exactly they should use it, so it irks me when I praise a child and instead of thank you they say Yes Please. But I don't correct them because they aren't my children for one lol, and in their minds, they are simply being respectful, which is a good thing. But it's still irksome lolol. It really bugs a cousin of mine who is a returning national because she connects it to enslavement days, and in a sense that is where it comes from.(which is why you'll find some other communities do not do it)
But the overuse of it, or a grown up using it in an unnecessary setting to another grown up, is what gets me.
😂 I completely agree! If you’re being polite then it’s completely normal. It’s the overusing it that’s a bit like “but why thoooo”
@@jamierocke cause them were learn to use as manners me I do find it strange as a bajan when they use it myself. I literally be like this is not even a scenario for it 😂
How about that long video of usual things about Barbados that also happens elsewhere
I’ll look out for your upload 😊
On point right customer service ,service is Barbados aweful
I remember visiting family In Barbados years ago and there house was half painted and quite a few houses in the area were the same , they told me you don’t have to pay bills on half painted house because it’s technically an unfinished building or suttin . Is this still a thing or were they messing wid me ?
Yeah, I think that’s called bajan humour 😂
Nah the individual is actually correct.... property taxes are higher when the house is plastered and painted on the outside.... thats why many houses arent
Oh wow, talk about cutting corners to make ends meet .. that’s unfortunate
@@jamierocke correct....land is already an arm and a leg already lol... had to insert that bajan saying 😊🤣😂
Ha!
Hello Jamie! Do you mind sharing the details of the apartment you stayed in ? Looking for studio for my upcoming trip.
I would but it’s currently rented!
@@jamierockedo you have Instagram please ? So I private message you how you got it.
@@jamierocke And if you can suggest similar places, thanks !
It's expected that the Sunday lockdowns would have been due to the COVID protocols. I don't believe that it's rule of thumb for all businesses to be closed on Sundays.
By the way, I enjoyed your vlog. All the best to you.
Those hand signals you mentioned were likely used in Belize before your time, being a British colony. Before the "flashing " turn lights, cars were equipped with a turn signal indicator that shot out from the sides of the vehicle.
Lol we don't use hand signals while driving in the UK other than flicking the v's, we do say yes please though.
It’s not just about saying “yes please”, it’s the context in which it’s stated 🙂 I’ve lived in the UK, and “yes please” is not used in the same way that it’s used in Barbados.
@@jamierocke
Hi Jamie,
Here in the UK we learn to do arm signals when learning to drive. Arm signals are in the UK's highway code (page 71 in my booklet). In the event your signal/signals fail, how will your let other road users know your intension? Cycles and motorbikes also uses arm signals.
Yeah! I’m pretty sure that the UK is where Barbados gets it from.
You are pretty much spot on with everything you said. You would think that if you enter a customer service business someone would politely ask if they can help? nope, not bajans. And I'll also say they do it more to black people more often than they do it to the white tourist.
Hopefully after the pandemic a shift will happen and people will be happy to be back at work and greeting everyone 🙃
Yes, you nailed it with that last part too. I've witnessed this too many times to not have noticed a pattern. There is some colourism that goes on. It also doesn't matter if the customer/visitor is Bajan/returning national either. If anything, it's as thought some of them *resent* the nationals more for having lived abroad. It's weird.
Yes please is part of the culture, you may hear no please or no thanks
Maybe this Sunday we can search for an open cafe... ? 😏... so I find it unusual to greet someone at night by saying goodnight... in the US and other places.. goodnight means.. bye or I'm going to bed... it's not a way to greet someone
Yeah, the goodnight as a greeting is strange for most persons outside of the region.
Same way you say good morning to someone you can say good night. 😂
Just found the channel randomly and thought to myself that this sounds like a Belizean accent. Then yuh seh "states" instead of US or America and that mi confirm it lol Glad foh see wah next Belizean ya da Barbados.
😂 dat funny... I'm not in Bim anymore, but all the best to you!
Rude, poor customer service was the worst aspect of my stay in Barbados. Was on sabbatical at UWI Cave Hill. But the lady at the campus bookshop was gracious and always nice.
Iron has two syllables...hence i-ron!!
this is hilarious 😂
The the Iron thing is crazy cant understand it
Is the common response "unusual?" No, if you please. (No, please) It isn't. Do I like to hear it, especially from the children, and would I recommend that you start using it? Yes, if you please! aka, Yes, please!
@@mervillecumberbatch1511 how colonial
@jamierocke P'rapps! But then, so is colour vs color. We did have several hundred years of being a colony. I think it also very peculiar that the head of Jamaica, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is the king of ENGLAND. Hmmm! How colonial!!
I’m a bajan live in the state, I don’t say yes please
I was born in Barbados so here look at it this way you enter a business you were there for a service I need to know as a person who's working there how can I help you so you have to tell me what you are therefore think about it that way
Nothing wrong or strange with yes please , it’s being well mannered!! I have and my daughter experience bad customer service especially in chefette, gas stations ..
I think you missed my point. I agree saying yes please is mannerly. It’s weird when the response is “yes please” and no one is offering you anything. 🙃
Hand signalling was common in UK fot driving test over 50 years ago! They don't call Barbados "LITTLE ENGLAND IN THE SUN" for nothing!!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰 😎
50 years ago?? My goodness!
I live in Barbados and they feel they are the most educated people in the Caribbean lol
Ha!
Our pronunciation of words is definitely colonial influenced😂, not influenced by modern British, but colonial influenced. (I.e old british, some african, irish, scottish and etc influences that created our modern Barbadian ways of pronounciation)
So that's why we tend to pronounce most words phonetically, unless we speaking in some real bajan. Hearing your pronunciation of Iron sounds so bizarre to me lol. I'm gonna have to open my ears next time I'm around non Bajans and get them to say the word😂😂.
Cackles
Most of the population derived from an uneducated enslaved population who could not read, so to suggest the pronunciation were phonetically derived would not be correct. However, as an African dominated society, what you hear is the interpretation of an African pronunciation passed down over the years.
@@therealmrmaximus I get where you're coming from (altho no, majority of the population today did not hail from uneducated ancestors-our ancestors brought African (working) medicine with them and taught the British traders to boot, this is part of modern medicine now, they already spoke and wrote in their own diverse, tribal languages, then went ahead and created an entirely new language(our dialect), and thensome, our early Enslaved ancestors were very educated, just not colonial educated, which I know you meant but I needed to mention all this😉) anyhoo, I was referring to modern day pronounciations of most English words we say, that tend to be phonetically sounding.
e.g We tend to pronounce words like-
Anna: Ah-nah/Ahn-nah. Iron: I-roh-un/Ire-ruh-un . Rihanna: Ri-ah-nah/Rih-ahn-nah.
I didn't mean that the early form was phonetically derived esp because back then it was our dialect the enslaved created.(long before the Enslaved population grew)
Focusing back on the period when the Enslaved were at a greater population(after the slave trade ended), I am pretty certain there was some level of colonial (grammar level) education by then. Either taught by freed slaves and or abolitionists most likely.
@@petitebaje Thank you for your response and clarification, and yes, colonial education as you stated is my point of reference. Cheers!
@@petitebaje perfectly described 🙂
yea i am a bajan and i say yes please when i respond
I guess this is your polite way of exiting Barbados 🇧🇧 but letting everyone know how annoyed you with certain mannerisms which you find ‘unusual’ to describe such displeasures. Yep your done and it’s clear that your living experience reflects how you really about the island
I can see why you’d think so, but these things aren’t annoying to me (except the rude customer service). I genuinely found some of these things just strange. 🙂 you’ll find a lot of bajans find some of these things unusual too.
We do not use hand signals in the UK. We use indicator lights.
Oh ok. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
@@jamierocke The hand signal used in the UK is the middle finger. lol
😂😂 cackles
Yes, please as opposite to no, thank you.
Hm, I’m not seeing it ... sorry 😕
Yes please is ingrained in children to address their elders as a form of respect and as adults it is a hard habit to break.
That’s understandable
Comments
Add a public comment...
michelle BF
1 second ago
On the whole BIM is a mess. Customer service crap, ppl passive aggressive. I have been there over 20 times and always come back to the UK feeling like I went backwards. Its hard out there, but nothing beats the 3 S's of Sand, Sea and S.., so u have to take the rough with the smooth when u are out there and know that a visit will take you back in time about 50 years
hand signals are a good idea, because people tend to ignore traffic signals
As a child, they always taught us not to stick our hands out the windows, so I can't get behind hand signals 😂
Iron, I-earn, I-ron, I-run🤔
Definitely no customer service skills for the airport workers, damn rude !!!!
We are very mannerly people