moving to Jamaica - Be aware!

[@AnnaYAH5315]

Colonization has done a fine job on our people in Jamaica. A wyte person is highly regarded in our island by those who serve people in general customer service.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

The social class assumptions has plays a significant role However, there are so many other factors that are at play! 💎

[@najaharper5466]

Very informative and insightful. 👏 🙏🏻

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks! Glad it was useful...🎶✨🤩

[@beverleyreid563]

Seems like customer service is suffering everywhere. However, it is on another level in Jamaica (you just have to laugh or you would cry).

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Literally! If you don't laugh some of the times, you will simply cry! Hopefully, the more people speak up the better it will get... 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@3bladeceilingfan304]

And bring your own chair- to wait in line before the building opens.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

😂😂🤣🤣🤣 Certainly!

[@sistageelewis4959]

I completely understand everything you've mentioned. Customer service is virtually nonexistent in Jamaica. I moved from Canada to Jamaica about 5years now.The hardest part for me was finding reliable workers. For instance, I needed landscaping done and found a company that charged an outrageous fee. Despite the cost, I hired them because I wanted the job done right away. After six months, I called them back for a courtesy visit to trim the shrubs, but they wanted to charge me again after I had already paid such a high price. I will never recommend them. This is just one example of the poor customer service I've encountered; I could share many more, but that would take forever to write out. 😮

[@beverleyreid563]

Shameful. You cannot even depend on your own people (and that problem here in Canada as well).

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@sistageelewis4959 Thanks for sharing your experience and after 5 years you are still here so that is awesome! ✊🏾🌟🎉

[@cazbanks4611]

Education needed on customer service and why it's important for companies to practice good service

[@noblegirl1991]

That is such a big problem. Finding good people to do good lawn work without charging exorbitant amounts

[@Kwame-Kwame7]

@@LifewiddiJamFamsit call innocent ignorance The European really destroyed the minds of our people When u get the time read these books 1) black skin white masks by frantz fanon 2)things fall apart by chinua Achebe 3)how Europe underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney 4 )confession of an economic hit man by John Perkins 5)the wretched of the earth by frantz fanon 6)blueprint for black power by Dr Amos wilson 7) the destruction of the black civilisation by chancellor Williams

[@dianewignall2139]

Greetings glad for this… what’s in place for the disabled, elderly and healthcare. There’s a class system and nothing different from rest of the world. Seek ask know! God knows all.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks! there are disability access ramps to most buildings and malls / shopping centres. They are definitely available to government buildings.

[@sannybell1524]

You are so right when you go into the store are banks it is like you are bothering them.😮

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

You hit the nail on the head! 😂😂😢

[@kuyahkudey3217]

Yes! Customer service is HORRIBLE HERE IN Jamaica! Retail workers don't smile and most times they have a miserable look on their faces. Customer service is worse in the tourist areas like MoBay and Ochi. This has been my experience. Wait staff are are usually unfriendly. They never make small talk.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Hopefully this will change as Jamaica continue to grow. ✨💯 What sorts of things do you feel would make a difference? 🤔🧐

[@lindelmccormack1660]

Recently, I went into an office. I say good morning. I was completely ignored. Then my Jamaican just jumped out. I had to yell, and the young lady. This was the third time I was experiencing this kind of behavior . As for pricing, we have the same problem here in the US. Based on your race and even accent, you are quoted a much higher price than usual. The main ones are car dealers, real estate, and mechanics, to name a few. Presently, expats are now fleeing some African countries for the same reason.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thank you for sharing... We have some ways to go at improving our human interactions, especially in business circles particularly regarding customer interface. 🧐🧨

[@simonebrady3]

Hi fam I’ve actually experienced all the things ppl should be aware of if planning to relocate to JA. It was definitely hard for me to adjust with everything, most likely if I was still there and as time goes by I would definitely need to work on tolerating and constantly reminding myself of the positive reasons why I wanted to be in JA. I have spent my whole life in the states, however I’m a born Jamaican and so plan on moving there in near future. Nice vlog again like always.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks! It's important to remind yourself of the why. Why you returned or why you do not want to reverse migrate. 😂😂🤣 All the best with planning out that return. It's never too early to start planning... 🙏🏾

[@simonebrady3]

@ oh yes you’re right, I already know the why. Next time around I will prepare myself and condition my mind as the first time wasn’t really planned and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have learned a lot for next time, there definitely will be a next time.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@simonebrady3 That's a great perspective. You lost the battle but you will win the war. For now you are regroup and using the lessons learnt. Then you'll return and conquer. ✨💯

[@joanelizabeth2311]

I thank you so very much for highlighting the challenges persons can face in returning to our beautiful island, Jamaica 🇯🇲 It takes a lot to make one's mind up,especially as retirees. One thing to mention too,is the heavy volume of traffic in major areas, especially, Kingston and Portmore. I love, love my country, however for me to return home for good,I continue to give it much thought. And especially my age as a Senior, with no family in Jamaica. Anyways, God is well able to turn the negatives into positives Bless 🙌🏿 You are doing a great job 👏🏿 👍🏿 keep up the good work and don't be discouraged

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching and being a member of the JamFam Tribe! 🎉✨

[@EARTHAOSBOURNE]

Heavy traffic exists worldwide, not to mention USA and Canada. One of the problem returning residents encounter is coming back to a different more developed Jamaica than what they left behind years ago. Labourers are no longer settling for wages they can barely buy a loaf of bread with, cost of living is now so high in Jamaica that as a matter of survival labourers are forced to demand better pay. Jamaica is fast developing, racing to become a first world country as a result returning residents are now seeing highways with toll booths islandwide same as overseas, gated communities which we once called tenement yards and the list goes on.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@EARTHAOSBOURNE Thanks for your contribution to the conversation. Definitely, many are returning and realising it is far from the Jamaica they left decades ago. They are also realising that there are many different experiences in Jamaica from the ones they remember. 💯💎

[@naturesambiancetreehouses8730]

Don't forget to mention the high levels of dogs and dog poop! On the streets its annoying

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

😂😂🙄 We inherit many or have several passing through our yard. The poop is definitely a bother in some areas. 💯

[@OhSoDivine]

All VERY valid points!!

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching! 💯🎶

[@mariedalencourt3104]

You did a great job with your daughter Mom 😂she’s just Awesome .👏🏽 🎉& good luck on your journey..!

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks; it is of grave importance! 💯 We are optimistic of the journey that lies ahead.🙏🏾 Would you take on such a journey? 🤔🧐

[@mariedalencourt3104]

@@LifewiddiJamFams As a matter of fact 🤔this is is the reason I’m doing my best to seek information on different types of living options back on the Island. I’m getting tired of the US , but I’m just concerned. Once we make “That Move” because going back is not an option. ☺️

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Certainly not! It is imperative to get the ground work down to result in a successful repatriation. All the best with your plans 🙏🏾

[@mariedalencourt3104]

Great video very informative .👍🏽 I’m not Jamaican , husband was. We travel many times be with the kids, such a beautiful place .❤ I’m Haïtian 🇭🇹and his Jamaican 🇯🇲we had the best of times.its been a while since we’ve been back because of safety concerns. We’re tired of staying in just hotels when we have other options but just feel safe. 😢

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for your feedback! 🤩 Will a number of short term letting (rentals) geared at holiday makers, it is becoming increasingly common place for people to visit without going to big resorts. Try starting with Portland, it is absolutely breathtaking and there is much to do in nature. If you decide to, do let us know what the experience was like. 🎶💯

[@3bladeceilingfan304]

Good video- right on point

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for watching! 🎉✨

[@dorettedrummond7137]

Hi JamFam. Thanks for your highlights. Customer service is long and drawn out in most cases. I haven't actually moved back but have issues with the water commission.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

You are welcome and thanks for sharing your experience! 🎉✨

[@rubycurate8748]

I experience bad customer service there. I went into Courts, the store manager was on the phone talking to someone I stood in front of her for 15 mins and she did not excuse herself to speak to me I had to walked out of the store. I went on line and order what I was requesting from her in Amazon. Customer service is very poor.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Chances are it was even a personal call 🙄☹

[@nerdknowledgeunlimited6023]

It's going to take decades for the customer service paradigm to be shifted. It's laziness. They act differently when they work in the first world countries. It's the colonial mentality that many people in Jamaica act. They act like the customer is a bother to them. The consulate in Miami has the worst customer service in the world. It's a waste of money to even have this place here in Florida. No wonder many Jamaicans are afraid to move back to Jamaica.

[@nerdknowledgeunlimited6023]

Great information as always.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@nerdknowledgeunlimited6023 Thank you for sharing! It is systemic and endemic for sure and will take some time to be realised. However, it could be quickly achieved if Jamaicans in the diaspora invested in Jamaica and set up companies with the standards they appreciated in the countries they are returning from. Incentivising quality service will see it shift. The sad reality is that Jamaica can do so much better! ☹

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@nerdknowledgeunlimited6023 Thanks!

[@shirleydaniels9310]

all school should be free bring in teachers from other countries

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

That is a great prospect. 💯 Cuba has a similar philosophy of free education for all. How would you suggest the government raise the funds that will be needed to cover all the costs? 🤔🧐

[@AnnaYAH5315]

With all those costs associated with putting money in banks, which doesn't serve me, then I don't plan to put no money eena dem bank. The account will just be there.

[@myserenity1130]

The account will go dormant

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

That's for sure! 😂😂

[@juniorclarke183]

Well said

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for your feedback and for watching! 💯🎉

[@AAHomeGardening]

Bless, kind daughter

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

😊 Thanks!

[@Dimmie-t8i]

What you describe here is not uncommon here in Toronto! Trying to deal with government services, on all levels, and with commercial institutions, is extremely time-consuming and an absolute waste of one's personal time. Eg, recently a gov't agency, employing generative AI, complicated my life and despite all my efforts in trying to resolve the issue by phone, email and paper mail, I'm still waiting for a response after 5 months! The grass is never greener.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Fully understand that these are things cropping up in other countries as cost saving initiatives which cost the client in their valuable time resolving matters. Hopefully you will resolve your situation soon. 🙏🏾

[@cynthiacatnott9012]

Smh. Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica. Way behind on many services. Imagine it taking years to get your pension approved 😮so frustrating. The System really adds to the stress we undergo.Lord have mercy on us !

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

You can say that again... The irony of it all is that the same people providing that poor service tend to be some of the same people who cuss out Jamaica 🙄🏃🏾‍♀️

[@noblegirl1991]

Great insights

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching! 🎶🎉

[@garyallen5654]

Totally believe you on the colonial aspect of behaviour

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

We definitely need more emancipated minds! 💎💯✨

[@EARTHAOSBOURNE]

Precisely.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

💎💯

[@samrichman1145]

Good day Miss lady loving yr vlog 💕

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for your feedback and for watching! 💎💯✨

[@vivienne1359]

Loving your blog. I am retired and thought about it many times. I cannot deal with the bad customer service and the taxi drivers. I am looking for a 65 and over community.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@vivienne1359 retirement villages aren't really a thing here. Our communities are integrated across the ages. However, a gated community or a development/estate would be a great place to look for accommodation. Which parish are you looking to reside in? 🤔

[@samrichman1145]

To me 🤔 im in UK 🇬🇧 ,come Jamaica just want ignore most Problem an give on with life 🖖🏿

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

It can be a really great escape from the stresses of the country in which you reside. It is a very different experience living here for longer periods where you are dealing with everyday matters. It takes some readjusting! 💎💯

[@karenelyons5318]

Well presented facts 😊

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for you feedback and thanks for watching! 💯

[@rayr9680]

Customer service is important, however, it is not a major consideration for a Jamaican relocating to the island. Healthcare, crime and safety are of greater consideration.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for joining in the conversation and sharing your perspective!

[@DemilitantSunflower]

Thank You for the informative video. Very helpful as usual. Question: Is your lovely daughter naturally soft spoken? Most times I can barely hear her.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

You are welcome! To answer your question, yes she is generally soft spoken. ✨

[@tcampbell1106]

I agree with the problems you raised regarding doing any kind of business in Jamaica. It is frustrating, not cost effective and time consuming. I read a comment at the end that Americans/British are Jamaica for convenience and only people who were born in Jamaica and spend their lives in Jamaica are real Jamaican. I don't know if that person is deliberately being controversial or their heart is filled with resentment and envy? If you have the right to hold the passport you have the right to call yourself such. So, I wonder what the status would be for born Jamaicans who left as children and spent their adult life's aboard. Does this commentor think that they have also lost their right to be called Jamaica? Sometimes people say things and it seems that Jealousy and Covetousness rules their heart and mind. The other commentor saying if you wasn't born in Jamaica you are not one of us. Like I said before, If you have the right to hold a Jamaican passport. You have the right to call yourself a Jamaican. Out of One, Many People Think about the original ancestry that make up the born Jamaicans. They come from many countries around the world. That is why many people have dual citizenship...

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Thanks for sharing. Hopefully things can get better. As Marcus Garvey said, sadly, not everyone is going to be good regardless of where they are or the exposure they get. 💯💎

[@annmckenzie1745]

Also remind people they have to sit in the bank for hours. It's a whole day process.

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

@annmckenzie1745 😂😂😢 Sometimes we have to take bad something and make laugh. It definitely tends to be. 😒

[@DelwinCowan-mb8so]

Hi try to open a account and the amount of run around and they still don’t use all that they said I must get

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

It's simply oppressive. They request more documents that any of the global north countries put together. 💎☹

[@Blys6]

Sounds a lot like Amerikkka interesting but probably better health care at this point

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

You response is a perfect example of how people's experience varies from place to place. The healthcare infrastructure is building out as they are implementing improvements. The private healthcare is a popular feature on the Island as well. National healthcare is reasonably free and further modernisation is needed. Most people's experience have been good; however, there are also people who have had difficult experiences. 💯🎶✨

[@DelwinCowan-mb8so]

The worse place to go do business RGD. Passport office hospitals

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

We haven't had any hospital encounters and hopefully we won't for the foreseeable future; if the hospital system we have experienced and the waiting time in the UK is anything to go by. The other two are definitely extended periods of waiting. 🙄🏃🏾‍♀️

[@andreaharris-watt1986]

Every country do that in the bank

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

It seems you've had similar experiences where you are living. 💎 We appreciate you sharing.🎉 In Milton Keynes (UK) that hasn't been our experience at all. ✨

[@kwailcamp]

The false positivity and the lack of willingness on the part of a large percentage of the population to acknowledge the problems in the country is a big barrier to change. You will not fix a problem that you dont acknowledge. This "Jamaica no problem man" mentality and this flippant " everywhere have this or that noweh no betta dan yaad" dismissal of real issues is a huge barrier to change. Smh....

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Conditioning that has been transferred from generation to generation and deeply normalised, require a deep and concerted effort to change. Many Jamaicans see these things as problems and want them to change. The issue is do they want change enough to actively do something about it? Or are they simply going to complain about it and expecting change to come?🤔💯

[@samrichman1145]

Living in Jamaica 🇯🇲 🤔 So much things to talk about 😕😐 Don't even know where to start

[@LifewiddiJamFams]

Drop one of the things you find as the most challenge for you!