From the Windowseat

The fuller list may go something like this: psst, sexy, baby, psst, psst, darling, psst, princess, psst, baby, empress, dove, psst, sexy, psst…repeat and randomize and potentially throw in something new.

Now, while anyone who has lived in Jamaica is still either laughing or rolling their eyes, I will explain to the rest of you…the above is a soundtrack that I listen to whenever I leave my house or office. Are you thinking that I am receiving my fair share of compliments? Does it sound like I should be happy? Not quite…defintely not quite.

I was sitting with some of my colleagues today (yes, we were working on a Saturday) and I was asked to name two good things about life in Jamaica and two bad things (one work related and on non-work related). Automatically, the biggest non-work related negativity that came to my head was the constant barrage of sexual comments that are thrown my way whenever I leave the confines of a building. After some laughs about the topic, I was told that I should write a blog post about this ever-present side of Jamaican life.

I am not quite sure how to explain it to someone who has not been here. Yes, men in many countries try their hardest to attract the opposite sex through a trail of cat-calls, but, simply put, Jamaican men play this ‘game’ with more ‘skill’ (note the sarcastic quotation marks) than anything I or others I know have previously experienced.

Originally I found it annoying, but amusing. I would note the more unique names (such as dove) and take note of how many times someone would hiss ‘psst’ even when I refused to look at them (at least 5); however, more recently this barrage has become simply annoying. I have been told to ignore it and that it is part of Jamaican culture; however, for all of my ability to accept parts of other cultures, this is one thing that I am not willing to accept. I am trying to live with it…but accept? — that seems a bit too much to ask…

And, by the way, the two good things about life in Jamaica — relaxing moments with my colleagues and trips to unique spots. Although they sometimes seem a bit too far apart, moments such as the YOU Christmas Party and climbing Blue Mountain will always hold special places in my heart. Further, simply sitting with colleagues today and laughing after a long day will stay with me and give me needed strength.