The Editor, Sir:

I have never responded to an article in The Gleaner, but was so moved by Kemisha Walters piece 'Please, thank you ... huh?' in the edition of Monday, October 6 (Page A2) that I had to respond.

Reading that article was like deja vu. It reminded me exactly of my experience when I first moved to Jamaica from Barbados in 2000 to attend the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Coming from a small Eastern Caribbean island, everyone greets each other; it is simply expected.

Not only that, if you don't greet people, complete strangers will have no hesitation in telling you off for being uppity and unmannerly! So you had better say 'good morning!'

So, Jamaica was a huge culture shock for me in that way - as it was for other students from smaller islands.

I was going around saying 'good morning/evening/night' to people and they would just 'look pon mi', to my puzzlement.

Memorable incident

One incident stands out in my mind distinctly. Myself and a Jamaican hallmate went for a walk (at my urging) in August Town one evening in my first week as I wanted to see the community around the university.

We came up to a group of young men relaxing on the block. My small-island instincts told me, 'look if you don't say good evening they will think you are rude and snobbish because you are a UWI student and they will cuss you, so try and be polite!'

I offered a loud, chirpy 'good evening!'

Silence. Not a soul responded and all of them just looked at me as if I had grown horns or something.

When we got past, my mortified hallmate tugged on my arm and hissed: 'What is wrong with you? Why would you talk to them?'

I was completely indignant and hissed back, 'What's wrong with me?! What's wrong with them? They deaf?'

It was a complete cultural disconnect.

So, to answer Ms Walters' question, yes, unfortunately, most Jamaicans have abandoned common courtesy. It is considered something extremely strange.

Some exceptions

While I was there, I always thought that had something to do with Jamaica's violence - that disconnection from one's fellowman.

It is not the sole reason, mind you, but it is both a manifestation and symptom of the problem.

I must say, however, that I did find during my three years in Jamaica, that there were some exceptions.

Older people still responded to courtesy and often seemed surprised and gratified that anyone still greeted their fellowman. In the country, people also still respond.

And once you actually get to know a Jamaican, they are extremely warm and generous. All is surely not lost.

I am, etc.,

AMANDA LYNCH-FOSTER

amandla_13@hotmail.com

Barbados, W.I.