Riding the Bus in Barbados

I received an e-mail from a website visitor who just returned from Barbados.

While riding the bus she said a young Bajan lady offered to hold her packages and purse. The visitor was standing since there were no seats available.

In her e-mail she stated she was alarmed by the request, and refused. At which point the visitor stated the young lady seemed to be insulted.  So, her question to me was had I had ever run into this situation.

Let me say it is quite natural for bus riders that are seated to hold packages, and even your purse. If you've ever been on a bus in Barbados, you know it takes all your strength to just hold on. On more occassions than I can count, I've had Bajans hold my packages and purse.

I looked at the situation as being helpful. Trying to hold on while the bus is flying down the street is extremely difficult, and you always end up hitting and bumping passengers who are sitting with your bags, and sometimes even your body.  

The visitor said no one here in the U.S. had ever offered to hold her purse and package, and she thought the young lady might have wanted to steal her belongings.

Travel is a great experiment in human nature and culture. It's a wonderful opportunity, not to just get away, but to discover new experiences that open you up to this big world of ours.

One of the reasons vacationers return to the island is the Bajan hospitality. So if you ever find yourselves on a bus in Barbados, and someone offers to hold your packages - just smile, hand over your belongings and say Thank You.

Linda 

Comments

[Angel]

Linda,
I enjoyed reading your story on holding someones packages on the bus in Barbados.In Germany they do the same thing, at least quite a few years back they did. Can't say anything for the present, I haven't been on a bus or streetcar for a while.

Angel

[Sascha]

Linda,
I am going to Barbados on march 18th for 14 days with my girlfriend. So, thanks for your advise. I guess, I will try a bus tour once. Is it true, that every bus has a sound system playing raggae?

Check out my new website www.stocker-law.ch and my own blog about Barbados (in German)! Probably it's better if you vistit my blog after my holidays...

Sascha

[Linda Thompkins]

Thanks for stopping by. I've sent an e-mail response to answer your question.