Comments on: Barbados: Six Things I Wish I’d Known Before Moving Here

By: Jane Shattuck Hoyos

Jane Shattuck Hoyos — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:48:25 +0000

Sorry to hear you’re cold, Shaun!! Time to start planning a visit to Bim.

As far as your advice and life philosophy … I raise my glass to you! Here here, well said!

By: shaun collinge

shaun collinge — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:47:52 +0000

Hello everyone I hope your all well..? I have to say I speak as I find and maybe you should give Tappas a try Stephen we all have off days (I obviously dont know what went on when you fell out) but we have a saying in England “Dont cut your nose off to spite your face” as I said I can only speak as I find and I have nothing but praise for ALL the staff at Tappas…. I booked a table for some friends who have been on the Island for the last 10 days and they were looked after very well, nice bottle of Veuve on the table on arrival as I requested, a great table and excellent service made for a very pleasant evening…. Another saying we use in Engalnd “Bury the hatchet” (and I dont mean literally) go on you may just enjoy it..!! Regards from a very cold UK.

By: Bajee

Bajee — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:13:38 +0000

Absolutely love this post!

By: stephen

stephen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:55:50 +0000

I haven’t been to Tapas yet; I’d like to, but we fell out in a large way with Mamma Mia (not the movie; that was great) due to insulting behaviour of one of their people to us, who has now moved to … Tapas. We used to send all of our friends and visitors to Mamma Mia, but they’ve lost out due to his unfriendly manner. You talk about service here, but that was the worst I’ve experienced anywhere in the world. Not holding a grudge (ha ha) there’s too many other great places to eat; NovelTeas (Hastings) for lunch was interesting today, nice food.

By: Jane Shattuck Hoyos

Jane Shattuck Hoyos — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:32:11 +0000

Finola, ha! You’re so right … the secondhand market is thriving on the island and there are some very fine pieces to be had – castoffs from the old plantation homes are often collectors’ pieces, even.

I try to comfort myself in the knowledge that even if I tend toward a bit of wastefulness no one else is; my things will always find a good home.

I’ll keep my eyes peeled for old wardrobes etc … ! Thx for writing, Finola

By: Jane Shattuck Hoyos

Jane Shattuck Hoyos — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:27:40 +0000

Stephen, you are so right. Truth is, I’m not even a coffee drinker (tea’s my usual brew … It’s the idea of what Starbucks is that appeals to me: ubiquitous spots (in NY, one on every corner, I think) that are warm and cozy where you’re amongst other people who, like me, are stopping for a respite from the weather and a warm something to sip.

I’m with you on Coffee Italia – on the few occasions I have drunk coffee (in my case, cappuccino) in Barbados, I like theirs very much. I’ll take smiles wherever I can get them!

Happy new year, Stephen. Still awaiting your review of Tapas

By: Jane Shattuck Hoyos

Jane Shattuck Hoyos — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:21:44 +0000

Hi, Meg. I agree that being nice with a greeting is important. I do this but I think it sort of backfires in my case because I’m a bit over-exuberant (I’m American, you know) … to a relatively reserved culture like the Barbadian culture, I may come across as phony or false. I haven’t been told this is the case but I wonder …

I like your blog very much, certain points about it especially, such as points of the culture that the US can learn from. Very nice. And your characterization of a white Christmas, Barbados-style. You write, “The only thing here close to a white Christmas are the white sands of the beaches and white foam in the waves.” Well done.

You’ve got a reader in me; thanks for sharing!

By: Finola Prescott

Finola Prescott — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:32:49 +0000

Not a bad list at all – having grown up in ‘the islands’ – St. Lucia mainly and then lived here, I have never gotten used to the rollercoaster of service – from the best to the worst, but then, like you say, there’s plenty to make up for that!

Regards your furniture-changing habits – that’s one thing I LOVE about Barbados – the second hand shops and auctions – so at least you know it’s not going on the dump – someone else will get it for a snap and probably they or others after them will wear it right out!

But if you happen to want to get rid of any dressers, wardrobes or shelves…give me a shout

By: stephen

stephen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:40:06 +0000

I almost agree 100%, but you don’t need Starbucks. Coffee Italia is cheaper and better and you get a smile!

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:26:15 +0000

I love your blog, though I only just heard of it recently. I liked this post, too, and thought it was worth a mention on my own blog I’ve been keeping while living in Barbados (until August 2010)
http://travelswithmeg.blogspot.com/2010/01/things-to-remember-before-you-move-to.html

Re the friendliness factor mentioned in Point 2: I try to start all interactions with a ‘hello, good day,’ or some other pleasantry. Sometimes that helps. Nobody really should rush anyway!

Anyway, thanks for blogging!