Saint Kitts & Nevis

Greetings

• Most people greet one another with a “Good morning,” “Good afternoon” or “good night.” Just saying hi or hello is generally considered bad manners unless the person being greeted is familiar with customs from the United States.
• If you ask people how they are be prepared for the truth instead of the generic “I’m fine” that is customarily offered by many people in the United States.
• People don’t always say goodbye and don’t often feel the need to offer the sort of overly enthusiastic ending that is often common in the United States.
• Younger people should show respect to elders by greeting them first and it's best to make sure to greet everyone individually in a room/at a function (ie-if there’s three people, greet each of them.)

Communication Style

• Most people from Saint Kitts & Nevis are very direct about some things and not so direct about others. For example, if you put on some weight they will tell you “you have gained some weight!” Then they might add “You are looking good.” They don’t mean it to be rude, it is more of a compliment that you are “adjusting and doing well.” If you show them a dress you bought and ask them what they think, be prepared to hear the truth.
• In some cases, people won’t tell you the truth if they think it will hurt your feelings. For example, sometimes you do things that are ok in your culture but a little taboo in theirs so they think you don’t know better and probably won’t tell you of your faux paus.
• It takes time getting to know people and gaining trust and respect. People will be friendly from day one but to gain trust and respect is a much longer process. It's best to not try to rush it.

Personal Space & Touch

• Most people value their personal space and tend to be comfortable with 2-3 feet of personal space during conversations. This space may be considerably less between good friends and family.

Eye Contact

• Not everybody is comfortable making a lot of direct eye contact but it usually makes one appear more trustworthy.

Views of Time

• Time on the islands is often categorized as “Caribbean Time” and it can mean anything from being an hour late to not showing up at all. It is generally understood that everything starts at least half an hour later than the actual time the event is supposed to start. This is because people value their family and personal life and realize that things come up that are more important than a meeting or event.
• In some situations, people are expected to be on time and get very frustrated if you are late. It's generally best to err on the side of punctuality until one is comfortable with the way things work.
• Ferries are usually on time, some bus drivers have a set time but usually it just happens when it happens.

Gender Roles

• Saint Kitts & Nevis is a very matriarchal society. A lot of the women run businesses and are the breadwinners. They are also expected to tend to the house and children. Women have a hefty role in this culture and are expected to be the glue that holds everything together, they are also expected to be wholesome and most likely attend church.
• Women going out to the bars where the men spend their nights is frowned upon.
• Women should dress conservatively and NEVER wear just a bathing suit or something skimpy to town. It would be considered disrespectful and somebody will probably tell you, as well as talk behind your back. This is especially true for foreigners, especially white women because they already have a bad reputation from tourism (people tend to do whatever they want and go wild while on vacation.) Besides, the amount of undesired attention from men could be extremely annoying.
• However, one might see some local women wearing skimpy fashions but they will most likely be younger women. There is somewhat of a double standard for foreigners. Best to err on the side of blending in and showing little skin.
• Knee length skirts, a blouse or polo with sandals would be considered appropriate attire for many occasions (shopping, seeing the sights, etc.)

• If you accept an invitation for a man to walk you home it may be perceived as a stage in the courting ritual.

• Men are extremely forward in this culture. If you are a woman you will more than likely get several men asking you out on any given day as well as “hissing” at you (pssssst!). If they suspect you are vulnerable some might descend upon you and be vulgar or rude.

• Never be afraid to put them in their place because they will be embarrassed if other people hear. Some of the men downtown (especially in St Kitts) see a lot of tourist women and get accustomed to treating them in a certain way because many foreign women tend to be too polite to put them in their place.

• It is rare to will hear a local man acting like that towards a local woman because he knows she will give him a sharp tongue-lashing and probably tell his mother. Also, if people know you have a partner abroad and you are seen too much with someone else they will surely talk about it. Everybody knows everybody else’s business here.

Law & Order

• Twenty one is the legal drinking age and not heavily enforced. Locals pretty much know who is of age. A lot of young people and men drink on the street corners (local hangouts) on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Marijuana is common on the islands, much more common than cigarettes. One will probably see and or smell it from time to time. Some people smoke it on the street, even though it is against the law. Some police officers may or may not turn a blind eye to local rastas smoking the herb but definitely not foreigners. You will most likely be arrested if caught.
• Drinking and driving is against the law but the police never seem to be out looking for drunk drivers.

Dress

• For Men - Slacks and khakis are fine. Button down shirts, polos, blazers, etc. Avoid wearing shorts except on the beach.
• For Women- Knee length skirts/dresses or longer. Polo shirts or breathable button-up blouses (if it is sheer, wear layers). Blazers and pant suits or skirt suits. High heels, flats, dressy sandals. No flip flops or tennis shoes. Women tend to dress very nicely for work. One may be amazed to see local women expertly strutting down a cobblestone street in a pencil skirt and 4-inch heels.

In the Classroom

• Dress at the university level is quite casual, students wear pretty much whatever they please. That being said it always a good idea to ask if you are unsure whether a certain type of clothing may be offensive.

Other Observations

• The green license plates are for public buses (they are actually vans), yellow are for taxis, red are for rentals and black are for personal vehicles.
• To catch a bus from anywhere: When you see one drive by that you want to catch put your hand in the air so they will know to stop. If they honk and keep driving it means they are full or not on duty. If you aren’t certain which ones will take you to your destination just ask the driver. Certain buses go to certain areas and you will get to know which ones to catch. If you are going somewhere off the main road (but on the route) you can ask them to drop you off and they will usually do it, sometimes for a dollar or two or more.
• You can ask the bus driver for their number and sometimes they will come pick you up when you call them, depending on if they are busy. If you arrange it with them beforehand to pick you up at a certain time they are good about that.

• Try to come in with an open mind realizing that things are different here and you are the one that must adapt, not the other way around and you will do fine.