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- Boundary with care: “I wish I could help this time; funds tight as I just moved. Next month let’s
look again.” - Following up: “Great to meet Sunday. Coffee next week at 10? I’ll text you the day before.”
Building roots beyond friendship
Mentorship and service. Offer your career story at a school’s career day, judge a debating competition,
mentor a sixth-former. Jamaica honours doers.
Rituals of place. The same farmers’ stall on Saturday, the same coastline walk at dawn, the same choir
practice on Tuesday—rituals braid you to place faster than any document.
Conflict done right. When (not if) there’s friction, address it directly and privately. Jamaica is a small
village masquerading as a country. Protect relationships; preserve reputations. You’ll meet again.
The extended family dynamic. Reunions are sweet; expectations can be sharp. Set clear limits early—
especially on lending, borrowing, and moving in. You can be loving and limited at the same time.
90 - day rooting plan
- Month 1: learn names on your road, tip the fruit vendor, find your GP and your barber/hairdresser.
- Month 2: host a small meal (potluck keeps costs low), bring neighbours together.
- Month 3: choose one community project and see it through from planning to delivery.
3.3) How to Shop in Jamaica – From Markets to Malls
The spectrum: from higgler to high-end
Traditional markets (e.g., Coronation Market in Kingston, Charles Gordon in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios
Market) are vibrant, honest economies. You’ll get the freshest produce and real gossip about the weather
and politics. Supermarkets and wholesale clubs (Hi-Lo, Progressive/Fontana Superstores for
pharmacy & goods, General Foods, MegaMart, PriceSmart) swap banter for predictability and air-con.
Malls and plazas (Sovereign Centre, Tropical Plaza, Fairview) supply fashion, electronics, banks, cafés.
Online + freight forwarders (ShipMe, Mailpac, Aeropost) keep you linked to Amazon and UK retailers.
Market craft—shop like a local
- Go early. Quality and calm are better before noon.
- Buy from one or two stalls. Loyalty reduces prices over time and gets you the good mangoes
under the table. - Ask for “mixed price.” Vendors may bundle better.
- Cash matters. Many stalls still don’t take cards.
- Inspect and select. Choose your callaloo; don’t be shy.
Sample “market basket” approach (illustrative)