Differences in mentality

Mental differences between Jamaicans and Germans

The fact that life on a Caribbean island like Jamaica is different from life in Germany can be seen not only in the weather. The mentality of these two nations is also fundamentally different. The Germans are rather serious and hard-working. They are hardworking, reliable and punctual. Which is not true of all of them, but it is true of many. In holiday countries they don’t always seem to go down well with their ways. Those who imitate the Caribbean way of life in Jamaica and believe to be suddenly half Jamaican by nodding their heads to reggae music and asking for a joint are mistaken. However, the locals will probably still be friendly to such people. They are easy-going and casual, but don’t take strangers too seriously either.

Jamaicans, however, are proud of their people and what their countrymen accomplish or have accomplished. Two names that must always be mentioned as examples are Bob Marley and Usain Bolt. As a sign of their positive patriotism, the people of this island also like to wear their country’s colors as clothing. And they like to be together in groups. The sense of belonging is great.

Many Jamaicans are attached to Rastafarianism. It too is a sign of their mentality and far more than a simple fad. It symbolizes for the islanders hope for their own freedom as well as for a better life. Rasta is more than just braided hair, a real Rasta is religious, respects the Bible and the words of the Lord and above all he obeys the law. Which is not taken too seriously when it comes to road traffic. It is unquestionably something different to drive a car in Jamaica than at home in Germany. And not because of the left-hand traffic.

The Jamaicans are cheerful people. And they are easygoing. Customers of a hire car company will probably notice that, too. Fun, sunshine, reggae and always a smile on their lips, that’s how vacationers can experience the real Jamaicans. They give a guest the wonderful feeling that everything is okay. There is even a native word for the so peculiar island lightness: Irie. And this is expressed not only in the rhythm of the music that sounds from every car radio. The mentality probably has its origins in the past. Jamaicans have had to endure a lot in the course of their history. It started with slavery and still shows up in the present in storms (hurricanes) that occasionally hit the island, as well as frequent power outages. It is easier to deal with adversity and annoyance by smiling and taking everything casually and with humour than by reacting angrily, as is more likely to be expected from Germans.

It is also possible to book hire cars in Jamaica. Who decides for it, must know of course that he, which concerns achievement and service of the rented car enterprise, these probably cannot measure with European or us-American yardsticks. It is advisable to take any difficulties as relaxed as the Jamaicans do and then jet in the sunshine and with reggae music in the ear over the roads.