The Savvy Villa Traveller

You may love your digital or video camera but make sure you don’t commit a major faux pas.

Opportunities abound for great photos in Jamaica. A word of caution, however. Be careful when photographing people.

Someone sent me an email asking me if it was true that Jamaicans had an aversion to having their pictures taken. I wouldn’t say that is true. What I would say is that Jamaicans do not like to be photographed by strangers unless they are asked for their permission BEFORE-HAND. Think about it. You are going about your business in your hometown. Would you want a stranger coming up to you and snapping your photo without your permission? I know for sure I wouldn’t. It’s no different in Jamaica. It is considered very rude. Don’t even think that they won’t notice the subtle click from your phone or digital camera. Some may ask for a copy of the photo. Some may ask for or demand a tip – and they may not be happy with $5. Some will be highly insulted and there is no price that you could pay that would be enough. Children will usually let you take their picture; but, tread carefully. The watchful eye of their parents or guardian may be just around the bend. If they are with their parents, be sure to ask for permission before you start snapping their pretty faces. If you have a video camera, you may find that lots of people may want to “get in the movies”. If you are filming and someone is directly in your line of sight, the same rules as for photography apply.

I’ve traveled to many different countries. But, I don’t remember being asked for the specific address of where I’m staying other than in Jamaica. Consider yourself warned. You must know the address of where you are staying otherwise the immigration officials will not clear you. They will detain you until you can come up with the address – whether that means calling someone at the property at which you are staying or calling someone back home who has that info. Don’t get stressed over this. They won’t tell you this but a street address is really not necessary. If that were the case, many Jamaicans or visitors staying in private homes would be detained. Know the name of the property and the city in which you are staying and that will be fine. If you are traveling as part of a group, please make sure that all the adults - every one of them - has this information. Think of the fiasco that could result if the group gets separated due to flight delays and so forth. We like to be proactive. Stressful situations for guests also stress us out too … and we avoid stress!

Do you know that I traveled from New York to Detroit and back with my son when he was a year old and not one ticket agent asked to see any kind of identification such as a birth certificate or proof of relationship during all this time. And this was in December 2006! I sometimes get stopped three and four times by airport security all for the sake of national security. I have had unopened grape jelly (don’t ask) confiscated because it was more than the 3oz size because of national security issues yet I flew a minor across state lines without anyone asking anything. Don’t get me wrong. Not having the hassle of proving who the baby was great; but, it made me nervous. I had never thought of this until I became a mother. Supposed my child had been kidnapped or suppose I didn’t have custody? The safety of our kids is just as important as national security. Are we really serious about child safety?

sign up here!

DON’T GET NABBED BY AIRPORT SECURITY. CHECK YOUR CARRY-ON!

Check what you have in your carry on before you check in to save you the aggravation of having some of your belongings taken away by airport security. Familiarize yourself with what the rules are so you obey them. They are truly serious about the liquid and gel rule: Remember 3-1-1. You’ll hear airport security agents saying that over and over. Take them seriously – otherwise you will hold up the line! Plus, you could get in trouble.

3 … only 3 oz bottles or containers or less are allowed
1 … only one 1-quart-sized or smaller clear plastic Ziploc bag is allowed
1 … only one of these bags is allowed per passenger

To make things easy, have your 1-quart bag with your containers closed and ready to put in a separate bin as you have your belongings scanned. This will make it easier for them to scan your carry-on. The easier it is to scan your carry on, the less likely it will be that they will have to hand-search your bag.

If you have a 5-oz container but have used 3 ounces so only have 2 ounces remaining … nope, it doesn’t fly – even though I got away with it once or twice. They have the right to take it. Do not carry liquids and or gels in containers larger than 3-ozs, period. Some agents are, shall we say, inflexible.

If you have any doubt about what to carry, put it in your checked luggage. You will not be allowed to pass through the security screening with items that do not meet those requirements. They will be taken away from you.

Certain liquids and gels are allowed without strict adherence to the restriction – but they must be declared. Again, have them ready for examination. These include prescription medicines or supplies (for example for diabetics) and baby food and beverages if you are traveling with a baby or toddler. Still, know your rights. They almost confiscated the yogurt for my son when he was 18 months old … even though he was with me. They “confirmed” that the baby ate yogurt!

So, remember, to enter the secure area at the airport, each passenger is allowed ONE 1-quart/liter clear plastic Ziploc-type bag for containers 3oz size or less. These “containers” refer to things like toothpaste, shampoo, liquid deodorant and so forth. Ladies, please remember that unless your lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm is a solid, it must go in your quart-sized bag. Aerosols, like hairspray must also be 3oz or less.

Once you have gone through security, you are free to buy whatever you want in the secure area to bring on the plane – as long as you don’t exceed the limits set by your airline. Sure it is for safety reasons but do you realize how much more money the shops on the inside make? Do you know how much food costs on the inside? Obscene! I hope I can wait long enough to get my drink on the plane which I think is still for free. Tee hee!

Here is the link from the TSA itself for more info.