Is it a Cultural Thing..

[Nunya]

... or just subtle racism?

I was reading a thread by neutral where in part he talked about shop keepers not wanting to touch his grandfathers hand because it was black (I am paraphrasing) and it reminds me of an Asian convenience store operator who could probably be accused of the same thing.

The operators, him and his wife, will snatch the bill out of your hand, but will either drop your change into your hand or place it on the counter, even if your hand in outstretched and your palm is open.

Does anyone know if this is a cultural thing or something else?

[RichD]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

i think it is a cultural thing....i recall my chinese friend telling me somthing about that once.

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Maybe dem nuh like touching or don't want yuh in dem 'personal'space.

Mi know smaddy weh wont shake ppl han caw dem feel seh most ppl nasty an nuh wash dem hands after doing certain things.

[Verandah5]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Partly cultural - but when I have enquired, most could not explain why.

Partly racism/hate and believing the stereotypes imbedded about people who are different from them.

[whagwaan]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Cultural most of the time. In Greece they do the same...throw your change on the counter, no "thank you , come again", NOTHING!!

[Boricua_papi]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

If they are Hindu then the issue is "caste." If they are within the "upper castes" then they will consider anyone with dark skin to be beneath them even if they are not Indian. But this is something that I don't have to even mention since I am sure that East Indians do the same thing in Jamaica.

[Nunya]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Originally posted by LadyZ:
[qb] Maybe dem nuh like touching or don't want yuh in dem 'personal'space.[/qb]

If it's dem personal space, den dem need fi kip de dyam shop door lock!

[qb]Mi know smaddy weh wont shake ppl han caw dem feel seh most ppl nasty an nuh wash dem hands after doing certain things. [/qb]

I can understand this - especially after the SARS outbreak.

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Yuh step foot inna jamaica since year start?

[Nunya]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Originally posted by whagwaan:
[qb] Cultural most of the time. In Greece they do the same...throw your change on the counter, no "thank you , come again", NOTHING!! [/qb]

It's one thing to place my change on the counter, but to just throw it down, is quite another!

One guy dropped my change on the counter, even though my hand was outstretched and my palm was facing up. Then some coins bounced and rolled off.

I said, "You've got to be kidding me!" He reaches around to the person behind me to take their money...

I said, "I don't think so." He gives me a nasty look, mumbled something, counted out how much was on the counter and replaced the coins that had rolled off.

**kissteet**

[Nunya]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Originally posted by B_P in exciting, new action poses:
[qb] If they are Hindu then the issue is "caste." If they are within the "upper castes" then they will consider anyone with dark skin to be beneath them even if they are not Indian. But this is something that I don't have to even mention since I am sure that East Indians do the same thing in Jamaica. [/qb]

If someone thinks they are a higher class than I am, what are they doing behind a counter, serving me, albeit with disdain? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[blugiant]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

unno gawn like disrepect okay if it a cultural behaviors. mi nah tand fi disrecpect

[popcorn1012]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

I have seen it happen so many times that now i put my money on the counter.

[Derek]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Originally posted by B_P in exciting, new action poses:
[qb] If they are Hindu then the issue is "caste." If they are within the "upper castes" then they will consider anyone with dark skin to be beneath them even if they are not Indian. But this is something that I don't have to even mention since I am sure that East Indians do the same thing in Jamaica. [/qb]

I'm with you on that...

[777]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

I wouldnt "buy" in those stores in I were treated like that..
My money would go somewhere else..
I wouldnt care if a ackee me deh a look and it scarce..
Respect is respect (for the customer), if you serving, no matter who it be....

[Boopie]

Re: Is it a Cultural Thing..

Originally posted by 777:
[qb] I wouldnt "buy" in those stores in I were treated like that..
My money would go somewhere else..
I wouldnt care if a ackee me deh a look and it scarce..
Respect is respect (for the customer), if you serving, no matter who it be.... [/qb]

Yes 777, I would tell him what I thought. Subtle? This isn't subtle at all it should be screaming in your face loud and clear. This is just plain silly to keep being treated like that, I wouldn't step food in his old stinky store it goes along with his stinking attitude.

The more you stay quiet the braver they will be.