Regarding note 3: Lgbtq folks in my family feel much safer here than in the US. That’s a low bar of course, but we’ve never had trouble. People may have opinions on it, but we don’t worry about violence.
Thanks for providing your insights here Kristin. While it was only a brief footnote, it's garnered a bit of interest. Perhaps there is something more here to explore. I am happy to hear safety isn't a concern for you; that's such a vital aspect of freedom and contentment.
I appreciate your perspective and I’m not trying to be combative. I just know that culturally, Belizeans are different and the little freedoms you enjoy there are far from their day to day concerns/struggles. Also, that coffee spill/mcdonalds lawsuit that is so talked about is because McDonald’s paid loads in PR to victim shame despite it actually being their fault. Everyone knows about this lawsuit but not the actual details. The hospitality and respect you enjoy from them comes from their Christian upbringing also imposed on them and used to keep them controlled. I do enjoy your posts and the calling out of bad behavior from foreigners Belizeans so graciously welcome.
I totally get it and don't think you are being combative. These are multifaceted topics and everyone has their own interpretation of them. I appreciate you reading and providing a valuable perspective
haha thank you SImo for the carve-out from the Karen meme! i keep hoping it'll die down at some point but it seems to be going strong, as people can be assholes everywhere! the people closest to me call me KG, and i prefer it because it's a signal of intimacy and endearment, and also because they're not calling me karen. haha. great post and that casual beach life makes me want to move to belize.
A very good friend of mine down here in Placencia, Belize is a singer, songwriter. Go into any bar that has music and you will probably hear him strumming on his guitar and belting out some Jimmy Buffet repertoire.
Recently, he and I were playing some mini golf and we heard a “Karen” berating the bartender for not having a particular tonic water for her 8AM gin and tonic.
My friend looked at me and said that he now had a new verse for a song he’d been writing.
“Lose your first world problems before you live in a third world country “.
A big issue for Belizeans right now is Real Estate - and how many ExPats are not doing things honestly towards Belizeans because they want to buy up all the prime (and in some cases) private Belizean land for their own profits. Making Belize and in particular seaside property unaffordable to Belize nationals.
The Real Estate community is being seen as a cancer (one realtor was killed recently). It’s more than just Karenism - it’s downright evil
This is one of the main - and very many - reasons I LOVE Belize.
The things that matter - matter. The things that don’t - don’t.
Leaving the Land of Ten Million Commandments (the US) for here was like getting out of prison.
But I’ve learned the true meaning of Ugly Americans. I came down here - to be here. I do NOT want to turn Belize into the 51st state. Most unfortunately, WAY too many Americans do.
This place is, for me, a gift from God. An escape patch from a nation I never really liked - let alone loved.
I cannot even imagine summoning the hubris necessary to think I’m going to parachute into this paradise - and fundamentally transform it.
To do so would ABSOLUTELY be an affront to the VERY warm and welcoming Belizeans.
Who, by the way, are on the main WAY happier than Americans (according to my lifelong attentive observation).
Belizeans are very welcoming. They want you here. But you have to want to be HERE. Don’t try to bring there - here.
Come to Belize, sit back, relax - and enjoy Belize. As it is. If where you left was so great - why’d you leave?
I agree with you but also there are very simple things like the wearing of a seatbelt or restraining a child in a car seat that could save lives. I’m a born Belizean who has lived abroad for over 33 years and I do appreciate those little things about Belize a lot but there are things that could use changing. The woman Amber you mentioned, sounds reckless. There’s a reason for not driving and drinking hot coffee. There should be some limitations to that freedom, when it crosses over into safety. Belizeans die very frequently in preventable ways. The problem with expats is exactly what you said BUT there’s the economy part of it.. they are driving up the cost of living too. They are affecting real estate and that is where Belizeans are truly resentful because many can’t seem to get their hands on simple land ownership. Being barefoot is the least of their problems. Being barefoot wasn’t a choice when I was growing up, it was from poverty. The kids who showed up barefoot to class didn’t have shoes. Let’s not completely romanticize it.
Hi, Ms.Nadira. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
I can assure you that reckless is not a word I would use to describe Amber, nor is it how I would describe drinking hot coffee in your car, especially for a Canadian.
I understand that the acceptance of being shoeless in Belize derives from poverty. Some people just can't afford shoes, and the community accepts that and still provides them with services.
I also understand that there are preventable deaths in Belize, as there are in most places.
But I still believe in agency. They may not enforce seat belts and car seats in Belize, but that doesn't mean Belizeans can't use these safety items. It's up to them. If they choose not to wear a seat belt and get in an accident, it's their responsibility.
I'm not condoning things like drunk driving, which endanger the lives of others, but I do feel, and tried to make the point in the piece, that not enough responsibility is placed on the individual in Canada. If I want to drink hot coffee in my car, I must understand the risks. If I spill it and burn myself, that's on me.
However, in Canada, people act as if risks don't exist unless they are explicitly stated and enforced. People have won court cases in Canada and the US because they burned themselves after spilling their hot drink after paying for it at a drive-through. It's ridiculous. Now the cups are plastered with “Caution: Hot Liquid” warning labels. Yah, no shit, it's coffee!
People are coddled and treated as if they are dumb and then the government comes in and controls everything because, apparently, if they don't, people will unwittingly do dumb shit and get hurt themselves.
Governments shouldn't police safety; personal safety should be a personal priority. Instead of spending millions of dollars on policing safety, put that money into education and awareness. Provide people agency in their decisions instead of controlling every minute aspect of their lives.
Spilling coffee on yourself is fine if you’re okay with that but if you’re driving, your reaction to that scalding hot coffee spilling on yourself can result in a traffic accident which then harms your neighbor. Agency is wonderful but humans have proven over and over again that free will does not translate to common sense.
I get that, but has that ever happened? My understanding is most law suit stem from spills and burns and fall under personal injury. But where does that end? I could have sneazing fit behind the wheel due to allergies and crash into someone. People need to take responsibility. Yes humans have proven they don't have common sense, which is all the more reason to make them responsible instead of differing to government oversight and overreach.
Anyhow, thanks again for readingnand providing your insights here; thats what it's all about!
Regarding note 3: Lgbtq folks in my family feel much safer here than in the US. That’s a low bar of course, but we’ve never had trouble. People may have opinions on it, but we don’t worry about violence.
Thanks for providing your insights here Kristin. While it was only a brief footnote, it's garnered a bit of interest. Perhaps there is something more here to explore. I am happy to hear safety isn't a concern for you; that's such a vital aspect of freedom and contentment.
I appreciate your perspective and I’m not trying to be combative. I just know that culturally, Belizeans are different and the little freedoms you enjoy there are far from their day to day concerns/struggles. Also, that coffee spill/mcdonalds lawsuit that is so talked about is because McDonald’s paid loads in PR to victim shame despite it actually being their fault. Everyone knows about this lawsuit but not the actual details. The hospitality and respect you enjoy from them comes from their Christian upbringing also imposed on them and used to keep them controlled. I do enjoy your posts and the calling out of bad behavior from foreigners Belizeans so graciously welcome.
I totally get it and don't think you are being combative. These are multifaceted topics and everyone has their own interpretation of them. I appreciate you reading and providing a valuable perspective
haha thank you SImo for the carve-out from the Karen meme! i keep hoping it'll die down at some point but it seems to be going strong, as people can be assholes everywhere! the people closest to me call me KG, and i prefer it because it's a signal of intimacy and endearment, and also because they're not calling me karen. haha. great post and that casual beach life makes me want to move to belize.
Simo,
A very good friend of mine down here in Placencia, Belize is a singer, songwriter. Go into any bar that has music and you will probably hear him strumming on his guitar and belting out some Jimmy Buffet repertoire.
Recently, he and I were playing some mini golf and we heard a “Karen” berating the bartender for not having a particular tonic water for her 8AM gin and tonic.
My friend looked at me and said that he now had a new verse for a song he’d been writing.
“Lose your first world problems before you live in a third world country “.
A big issue for Belizeans right now is Real Estate - and how many ExPats are not doing things honestly towards Belizeans because they want to buy up all the prime (and in some cases) private Belizean land for their own profits. Making Belize and in particular seaside property unaffordable to Belize nationals.
The Real Estate community is being seen as a cancer (one realtor was killed recently). It’s more than just Karenism - it’s downright evil
-PH
This is one of the main - and very many - reasons I LOVE Belize.
The things that matter - matter. The things that don’t - don’t.
Leaving the Land of Ten Million Commandments (the US) for here was like getting out of prison.
But I’ve learned the true meaning of Ugly Americans. I came down here - to be here. I do NOT want to turn Belize into the 51st state. Most unfortunately, WAY too many Americans do.
This place is, for me, a gift from God. An escape patch from a nation I never really liked - let alone loved.
I cannot even imagine summoning the hubris necessary to think I’m going to parachute into this paradise - and fundamentally transform it.
To do so would ABSOLUTELY be an affront to the VERY warm and welcoming Belizeans.
Who, by the way, are on the main WAY happier than Americans (according to my lifelong attentive observation).
Belizeans are very welcoming. They want you here. But you have to want to be HERE. Don’t try to bring there - here.
Come to Belize, sit back, relax - and enjoy Belize. As it is. If where you left was so great - why’d you leave?
I agree with you but also there are very simple things like the wearing of a seatbelt or restraining a child in a car seat that could save lives. I’m a born Belizean who has lived abroad for over 33 years and I do appreciate those little things about Belize a lot but there are things that could use changing. The woman Amber you mentioned, sounds reckless. There’s a reason for not driving and drinking hot coffee. There should be some limitations to that freedom, when it crosses over into safety. Belizeans die very frequently in preventable ways. The problem with expats is exactly what you said BUT there’s the economy part of it.. they are driving up the cost of living too. They are affecting real estate and that is where Belizeans are truly resentful because many can’t seem to get their hands on simple land ownership. Being barefoot is the least of their problems. Being barefoot wasn’t a choice when I was growing up, it was from poverty. The kids who showed up barefoot to class didn’t have shoes. Let’s not completely romanticize it.
Hi, Ms.Nadira. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
I can assure you that reckless is not a word I would use to describe Amber, nor is it how I would describe drinking hot coffee in your car, especially for a Canadian.
I understand that the acceptance of being shoeless in Belize derives from poverty. Some people just can't afford shoes, and the community accepts that and still provides them with services.
I also understand that there are preventable deaths in Belize, as there are in most places.
But I still believe in agency. They may not enforce seat belts and car seats in Belize, but that doesn't mean Belizeans can't use these safety items. It's up to them. If they choose not to wear a seat belt and get in an accident, it's their responsibility.
I'm not condoning things like drunk driving, which endanger the lives of others, but I do feel, and tried to make the point in the piece, that not enough responsibility is placed on the individual in Canada. If I want to drink hot coffee in my car, I must understand the risks. If I spill it and burn myself, that's on me.
However, in Canada, people act as if risks don't exist unless they are explicitly stated and enforced. People have won court cases in Canada and the US because they burned themselves after spilling their hot drink after paying for it at a drive-through. It's ridiculous. Now the cups are plastered with “Caution: Hot Liquid” warning labels. Yah, no shit, it's coffee!
People are coddled and treated as if they are dumb and then the government comes in and controls everything because, apparently, if they don't, people will unwittingly do dumb shit and get hurt themselves.
Governments shouldn't police safety; personal safety should be a personal priority. Instead of spending millions of dollars on policing safety, put that money into education and awareness. Provide people agency in their decisions instead of controlling every minute aspect of their lives.
Spilling coffee on yourself is fine if you’re okay with that but if you’re driving, your reaction to that scalding hot coffee spilling on yourself can result in a traffic accident which then harms your neighbor. Agency is wonderful but humans have proven over and over again that free will does not translate to common sense.
I get that, but has that ever happened? My understanding is most law suit stem from spills and burns and fall under personal injury. But where does that end? I could have sneazing fit behind the wheel due to allergies and crash into someone. People need to take responsibility. Yes humans have proven they don't have common sense, which is all the more reason to make them responsible instead of differing to government oversight and overreach.
Anyhow, thanks again for readingnand providing your insights here; thats what it's all about!