Here's a Bermuda street sign. Many of them are like this, 'conveniently' placed at the bottom of a wall. It would make sense to place a sign high above the average height of a person, so, given that, how on earth is one supposed to spot this????
How do you avoid being laid off from the work force? "Work hard, come in early and stay late." This is what Bermuda's Royal Gazette has been preaching. The harder you work, the less likely you are going to laid off.
Layoffs are now a thing of the present and neither Cayman nor Bermuda has been a stranger to this situation. I've heard of many being laid off here in Cayman and companies are not mincing words about it. Regardless of where you are, if you've always been a slacker then consider yourself lucky to have been employed for this long, but not anymore. Companies are changing the way they operate and it doesn't matter if you are a local or an expat. If your performance hasn't been improving, then expect a pink slip sometime soon. This is the one thing that has become glaringly obvious when it comes to layoffs - those that aren't cutting it are getting the axe.
The article goes on to say: "Some Bermudians have a sense of entitlement and I would like to not only discourage that but completely wipe it out." This sense of entitlement is not just prevalent in Bermuda, but also in Cayman and I am sure, in many other countries with a strong expat population. That's not to say that expats don't slack off either, but the main emphasis on the article was how locals should now be willing to compromise when it comes to job offers and such. Why? Because much like the renter's market, it is an employer's market and there are dozens other waiting in line to snap up that job and keep it.
Living on an island means the perputal presence of sand in your car, at all and any time of the year. It also means never having to clean it out...completely. Because you never will.
I am sure I killed a lot of trees today. It was NOT a good day. Lots to print/photocopy at work, and considering not many places recycle here in Cayman, I cringe every time I hit print. Considering how much more sophisticated Cayman is compared to oh say Bermuda, I wish it housed a proper recycling facility. Paper, glass, aluminium - you can bet there will be a lot less ending up at the dump. I cringe when I think of the dump, all that plastic holding out only to degrade completely a good 100-500 years later, depending on its strength. In fact, I cringe every time I snap up a plastic bag at the grocery store, because what will temporarily hold the groceries for a little while, will inevitably end up at the dump filled with what not. Cayman has got to do better than this. India, a third world country, recycles, for Pete's sake.
Some grocery stores in Toronto will charge you for every plastic bag you need to cart your groceries, about 5 cents a bag, or you're welcome to help yourself to one of the cardbox boxes at the front of the store. On this trip I was told that this was now mandatory at all grocery stores in Toronto but the folks failed to tell me that this applied to ALL stores, clothing included. It was much like them asking me to pick up liquor from the liquor store, but failing to mention that the liquor store had moved!!! Anyway, not wanting to make the mistake of going into a store minus my own bag, I snapped up a bunch of what I think are adorably chic and extremely strong, widely spaced reusable bags from Walmart. I now feel so much better using these instead of having to add one more plastic bag to Cayman's dump. In an effort to encourage Torontonians to participate in a green program such as this, bags are now 5 cents each at all locations. It definitely works. 5 cents can add up to a lot pretty fast, so, get ready because this will soon be coming to a Canadian city or province near you. Such a novel idea and high time for the rest of the world to join in, don't you think???
The government has overspent, but that's what governments everywhere do. So in an order to 'replenish' some of this cash, it has been recommended that a slew of taxes be put in place. If they were to implement income tax, let me tell you, we'd be gone...like the wind. Cayman, while not as expensive as Bermuda, is expensive in its own right, something like income taxes that would most definitely affect expats, is not going to want to make them stay. You can bet the financial industry here will be the next to crumble and I hope the politicians are aware of the domino effect this form of taxation will create. But, there is the case of property tax that the government is looking at. Rents are at a all time low here in Cayman, it is a renter's paradise but one has to wonder what effect property taxes would have on the rental market. Hopefully it can't be any worse than Bermuda, as her rental market never seems to follow a downward trend.
You know you're Bermudian...if using the words Bermuda and Triangle in the same sentence irritates you.
Young whites must admit role of slavery, segregation in our history – Farrakhan.
This is the problem with some in Bermuda. They like to hold on to the slavery card when all they need to do is let is go. The current generation has nothing to do with the slavery of the past and when are they going to learn that they cannot punish the children of today for the sins of their fathers, or their great grand fathers, in this case.
This is what annoyed me so much about Bermuda. This constant need to remind the 'whites' how the 'blacks' were slaves. I get it. I can understand how hard it was back then, but let me say this, blacks were NOT the only ones that were subject to slavery. The Chinese were too, and so were the Indians, both red and brown. But those races have successfully put that behind them, and thus have been able to move forward. I don't see any of them still harping on about how their ancestors were slaves.
So, why are there some Bermudians that are so determined to blame the current generation for slavery that happened generations ago? When is this nonsense going to end?
At first glance, and only at first glance, can you tell which of these quarters belong to which commonwealth country/Brit territory? If they were to be found jingling around in your pocket or wallet and you were looking for the appropriate coin, would you be able to separate it from its cousins that have also mistakenly made their way into your pocket/wallet? This has been my dilemma for the past four years.
Canadian quarters mixed up with Bermuda quarters mixed up with Cayman quarters. What does not help is that they all bear the image of their Head of State, Queen Elizabeth. It is quite the annoyance when you're in a rush and you find yourself short of change, only to dig deeper into your wallet and find that you yet again forgot to clear your wallet off the lesser needed unvaluable change.
So, at first glance can you match the coin to the country?
...So, what do you do?
It's a very common opening starter of a question that expats are often asked here in Cayman. For some this may feel like the norm, for others not so much. A couple of weeks ago I overheard a couple of women talking about how this is such a norm of a question for North Americans to ask, while noting that in France, for example people just don't ask questions like these.
Which got me thinking...Why do we North Americans have this incessant need to find out what it is that one does for a living. Does it make a difference? Does it define who a person is or make/break them?
It's even worse here on the island. Bermuda was the same where expats take it to a whole new level...after the 'what do you do' question, it's the 'Where do you work?' follow up and then when they are told the name of a company that they don't recognise, a quizzical look is borne. Further explaining is mandatory and if one isn't given, you're then asked, 'Well, where is that? What is that?'
It is often easy to forget that at times people just don't want to divulge where they work? How is any of that important? A little semblance of privacy in a place where nothing is private is a good thing.
And sometimes it pays to remember: You are not what you do, you are what you are.
While the Stingrays were moving in and around us at the sandbar in Stingray City, I also spotted a CowFish, with my snorkel gear. Oh, a good tip: Take your snorkel mask with you while at Stingray City to get an awesome underwater vantage of how these ray glide. You'll never know what else you'll spot lurking closeby, like this Cowfish. I still had to some chasing to get a closer shot. But here it is. A Cayman Cowfish. This time it was in much closer proximity that when I spotted my first one in Bermuda and while the Cayman shot is underwater, the Bermuda shot is above water, and taken with a camera that's not waterproof. So, which is the prettier one? I like them both, but then again I am biased.
CAYMAN:
OR BERMUDA:
March!
Still cold in Toronto.
Probably still damp in Bermuda.
But HOT HOT HOT in Cayman. It seriously does not get any better than this.
After such a relaxing day at Rum Point (our first visit - pics coming soon), I've got nothing to complain about.
For now, I have some gorgeous shots of Seven Mile Beach. And I know right now you're wishing you were here and I don't blame you. This would be enough to make anyone abandon their post.
HOLY! Ok I knew there were snakes in Cayman, having witnessed one such a snake earlier this year wiggling its way not too far from our door. It was later killed, but NOT by me. I draw the line at snakes! Bermuda has NO snakes, none whatsoever. My Bermuda folks can say this with relief in their voices. Cayman, well this is a different story.
Like I said, I knew there were snakes here BUT THIS!!!! THIS IS INSANE!!!
Not even in Bermuda did the newspapers use local lingo that made up a news article headline (unelss it was in quote). But Cayman did. Take a look here at one such article, where such is the evidence of how local lingo makes the headline. 'Soon Come'! Only in Cayman!
I think it's endearing.
My former Bermuda landlady, Ms Stop Your Noise, emailed me today asking me how the weather was down here. Has it been cold? Is it damp like Bermuda? Does it get humid like Bermuda during the summer?
I was pleased to tell her that although we had a couple of days of a cold spell, Cayman was back on track with the hot weather. And thank Goodness! People here in Cayman are often surprised when we tell them that Bermuda is normally cold in the winter. And compared to Cayman it IS cold. And damp. I often tell them that during the winter in Bermuda we HAD to run the heater while at home to get rid of the dampness. And looking back I can't believe that we did this for three winters. We had no idea that we would be doing so when we first moved to Bermuda. The website sure didn't mention Bermuda's version of winter weather. Sure the cold was not comparable to Canada but that dampness sure was a pain to deal with.
So, I am thankful that Cayman is not damp in the winter, nor any other time and that most places here have central AC, which let me tell you, is a nice comfort to have during those hot humid months. Not to mention it regulates your home quite well, that one need not worry about clothes getting mildewy no matter what one did (like in Bermuda). Those days are long gone behind us.
It is often difficult to stay away from saying things that are stereotypical. Or thinking it, for that matter. Especially when it comes to a particular race. Growing up in Dubai, I'd often hear my parents talk about workplace politics that involved a particular race (let's call them Race X from now on) and try as they might to avoid it, the inevitable common thread always revealed itself. Years later I now find myself working with Race X and so far I have been great at keeping the stereotypical thoughts at bay, especially considering I myself belong to a particular race. Until recently, that is. That common thread with Race X has not only revealed itself, but it has begun to fray, making it very difficult to keep an open mind while I work with this particular group of people. While from their perspective it may seem that this particular trait might be harmless, it is one that seems to be creating obstacles at work and negatively affecting workplace efficiency. I can now understand the government’s motives on placing restrictions on whichever expatriate race it is that is found on any given island in large numbers all in the name of wanting to promote a social balance.
Seems like everyone got this viral flu/cold/cough that's been going around. And I mean EVERYONE! Family & friends in Canada & the Middle East seem to be sick just as much as friends and co-workers here in Cayman. How do I know this? Well, there's Facebook that lets you know the intricate minute little details of one's health status, it's easy not to keep track of how every one's feeling.
Which makes me wonder...would you rather be sick on a Caribbean island, a desert or a freezing, wintry, snowy climate like Canada. Bear in mind that with today's Global Warming kicking up a scream, the desert's climate is much like a cross between the Caribbean and Canada. It may not snow but it definitely has been raining and it definitely has been chilly. Would you get better faster in a warmer Caribbean climate, bearing in mind that your recuperation environment is kept stable with the a/c running OR would you get better faster in a Canadian climate, with the heat running constantly that you feel like you're in a sauna. OR would it depend on motivating factors like: Caribbean climate = beaches = wanting to get better faster so you can hit the beach; or Canadian climate = -20 deg C temperatures coupled with snow = making you NOT wanting to lug your butt to work, giving you an excuse to stay in longer?
Which is it?
Living on a small island you are bound to come across people who may know people you know, especially with those networking sites out where information flows like it's a free for all. It is only natural that once you find out the connections between your friends or acquaintances that you'd want to mention of this fact, but beware because on such a small island, this can run interference. I've learned from living in Bermuda, to keep quiet about certain things and to let things run their course. I find that it works out better this way because what happens when you start talking about knowing so and so? People start talking & gossiping. Now I'm not adverse to gossip. Heck my mother and I gossip every so often - life's little pleasures. But it's different on a small island. What's weird is that at times, I come across a decent amount of information about people I know here, that I tend to be ignorant if I am asked about so and so's specifics. I find that works out better too. It's just best to stay away and play the I haven't a clue card. Perhaps the only person I gossip with about island life & folk is Hubby, and that doesn't even count because he got that 'need to know' status. It's like gathering up intel to later make the best decision or to avoid an awkward situation, when you're at a crossroad. Intel gathering is important - you never know when any sort of information may come in handy.
On the same note, ever wonder where the word Gossip originated from? Well here's how and where:
Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what was considered important to the people. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs and bars who were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "you go sip here" and "you go sip there." The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and thus, we have the term "gossip."
You're in Bermuda living around the corner from the hospital and find yourself requiring emergency medical attention, only the ambulance doesn't arrive until much later. Until it's too late. Apparently the emergency dispatch service is not upto par with standards that it should be at, considering just how much of an affluent island Bermuda is. Frankly, this does not surprise me because one can easily chalk this down to LAZINESS, something that is much too apparent in Bermuda. I'm sorry to say, but it's true and I can say this because I've lived through it over there.
Taxi dispatch services display this same blatant disregard for customer service, especially when they don't bother to call you back to inform you that there aren't any cabs available for a ride to the airport, which is just the case on a Sunday. In Bermuda, it pays to ask the cabbie to arrive at your door a full half hour before you actually plan to leave.
And in a case where medical attention is needed, it pays to drive yourself to the hospital, or get a loved one to. You'll arrive much quicker and probably will be alive to see another day in the process. This unfortunate gentleman was not so lucky and it is an absolute disgrace. I hope his family is suing the Hospital or whoever is responsible for all they've got.
The Cayman Islands Postal Service is urging residents to give out and use the right postal code for the right PO Boxes that they have been assigned. Unlike Bermuda, mail here is NOT delivered to one's house, rather to PO Boxes. And since there are quite a few different locations with possible the same numbered PO Boxes, using the right postal code is key. Using the incorrect code will only delay one's mail as it will make the rounds to each location before the rightful owner gets it. And since it's apparently it's illegal for the CIPS to throw away any mail, and that it HAS to be delivered to a PO Box, you're guaranteed to get it in your box, even if it's not yours.
But here's the kicker: The reason for the above notice was due to the fact that residents were actually making up their own codes.
Seriously? Do people NOT want to get their mail. Own postal codes indeed. How does one even make up their own postal code? I want to know!
You know you're Caymanian when upon meeting someone the next thing out of your mouth is WHO YA DADDY IS? Not to be mistaken with, WHO'S YOUR DADDY? Which might be more of a common question to ask the ladies in Bermuda. I'm just sayin!
