To Change or not to Change

To Change or Not to Change

Ok, so the other day when I was out driving with a friend, he asked me what I was doing tomorrow and I replied “I’ze gine ta wuk tomar, deng ta da shop”. He said “Aight deng”. Then I paused, “what the heck did I just say lol”.
By the way that sentence translates to “ I am going to work Tomorrow, then I am going back to work.”

I honestly had no idea that I had just spoke in the most real Bajan dialect. It was definitely done unintentionally.
It is difficult, because as I am here as a Canadian, it is very easy to walk around with a “Canadian accent” and allow things to come easily, because people here service people who are foreign much quicker and more politely than they do their own. However, people cannot tell that I am from overseas until I speak, so I try not to make it to obvious. Since I also have my Jamaican heritage I will also let people know that this is the reason why I am so familiar with Caribbean Customs.

When in Canada, I would always greet people with a smile and handshake or for some a BIG bear hug, but I cannot really do that here. One thing I have adapted for sure is the politeness of saying good morning or good evening, TO EVERYONE hahaha. When I work to work every day, I must say good morning about 30 times before I actually get to work (only 10 mins away). When you pass a stranger on the street you must always always greet them whether it be a child or an elder, sometimes, unfortunately greasy old men that think you’re cute. In Canada we do the whole smile and nod thing out of politeness, but here you must speak. Once it is after 3pm, you must say good evening to everyone that crosses your path. It does make me better disciplined, however.

To be honest, over here there is more pressure to be fashionable than there may be in Canada. People love to have the latest hair styles and clothes. The professional women here are so elegantly dressed, many times I desire to have a suit made and tailored for me as well.

Often times I have to be careful when speaking to people that I do not try to seem arrogant or as though I am in someway or educated than them just because I have a different understanding of things. Therefore, I tend to take the backseat when I see people conversing.

I have found that in Barbados there are a lot of women who hold very prestigious positions, but this business women lifestyle also appears in the household. I have seen a number of cases where the women are the breadwinners and make most of the financial decisions in the home while the men take the back seat. Women here are also very protective of their husbands and boyfriends. Apparently, Bajan women can be very aggressive when it comes to men that they want, regardless of their relationship status. So I keep my distance.

Setting The Scene- Barbados

I believe that I had mentioned previously what type of North American and Western influence has appeared on this Rock (Island). The beautiful lush sceneries makes Barbados a Prime location for people from all over the world to migrate to for many different purposes. There are actually quite a few people here that have migrated from Canada. Luckily there is something about Canada that Barbadians love. I am not sure what it is but when ever I tell people I am Canadian they always embrace me with warmth and acceptance. I also have found that a huge portion of the Bajan population has been educated in Canada. Since I have been here I have many countless individuals who have either lived in Toronto for some period time for studies or frequents Canada often to visit family. Ironically in the household that I live in, the Father of the home had lived in Canada for about 18 years. Every single day he speaks about how much he loved it there and talks about taking the bus on the Sheppard line from the eat to west just for a ride. I constantly have to tell him how much Canada has changed since he had been back 10 years ago. While conducting a series of workshops on a variety of things from etiquette to entrepreneurship many of the facilitators advised the participants to consider starting a career in Canada because of the amazing opportunities that are available there. I feel so proud to be Canadian here in Barbados.

Apart from the North American influence here I would say that Barbadians live rather comfortably. Firstly, Post Secondary Education is FREE. There are minimal fees that must be paid when applying to go to university (The University of the West Indies). Other than that the only fee that must be paid is about $600 Bds dollars for registration (about $300 US). The literacy rate in Barbados is between 97-99% (The Highest in the Caribbean, probably one of the Highest in the world). There population is only about 280,000. The Island also has the lower death rate and the highest life expectancy in the Caribbean (average age 78), it must be because of all that flying fish and cou cou ( The National Dish).

I have been observing the lifestyles and habits of people here, and it seems that somehow people always have money to shop and go to parties that are $60 for entry. I just recently found out, however, that the minimum wage is just a big of $5.00 bds dollars which is only about $2.50 US. I cant figure out how people maintain their standard of living with the amount of money. I have observed that a lot of young people just inherit wealth within the family and live off of their parents. Once you have your own home, all other funds are dispersed.

This are actually rather expensive here, but no one seems to complain about it but me.
As you may or may not know, Barbados has now moved into its Crop Over season. I know what you are thinking and it is not a big harvest celebration where people meet in the market and sell goods. Crop Over has been around for decades and is the actual representation of Bajan culture. Every year nearly the entire Island population and beyond come together to celebrate through music (Calypso & Soca), dancing and costumes. Just as we have our own Carnival in Canada, Carribbana which is held once a year brings out over a million people form all over the world to Toronto. This carnival is very similar, but people in the Caribbean take it very seriously. Leading up to the day of the event there are parties EVERY SINGLE DAY. You cannot avoid them, no matter how hard you try. People here love to party rain or shine.

I find that Barbadians are for the most part very hospitable. They are almost always welcoming.

I am very proud to say that I am visiting from Canada. Barbados has definitely captured my heart.