Some people have viewed Jamaicans as confident and ambitious while others viewed
Jamaicans as cocky and bay-face (for those people who are not Jamaican, bay-face is another word for arrogant). Where do you draw the line? Some of life’s most memorable people were viewed as cocky, bay-face, and cheeky.
It has been said, “It’s a thin line between love and hate.” The same is true for confidence and bay-face. Jamaican born activist Marcus Garvey says, “If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life; with confidence, you have won before you have started.” But are some Jamaicans going too far?
Your parents teach you to be confident. Your competitive nature pushes you to be the best saying, “Be confident.” The arrogant nature says, “Mi run tings (I’m in charge).” As an island, Jamaica has managed to build an international brand and will be celebrating there 50th anniversary on August 6, 2012. Many people on the island are filled with confidence which contributes to the country’s success. Their confident is also the major reasons why so many other people view Jamaicans as arrogant.
Jamaicans must balance the thin line between confident and ambitious against cocky and bay-face. Jamaica’s, accomplishments have being great in music, sports, food and cultural attractions. As a result, Jamaica has being given significant exposure world wide. One of Jamaica’s mottos is, “WI likkle but WI tal-a-wah. (We are small but we are strong).”
Because Jamaica is the 3rd largest island in the Caribbean, many Jamaicans annoy people from the smaller island by calling them, “small island people.” Furthermore, people from other countries call many Caribbean people Jamaicans, which tends to rub some non Jamaicans the wrong way. The tradeoff is that many people from other island do lie and say they are Jamaicans. Several Jamaicans from the capital of Kingston, also annoyed fellow Jamaicans calling them “country man/woman.” So, while our confidence contributes to our wisdom our arrogance subtract from our strength.
Jamaica Brand
The Jamaica Brand is growing for the better and in some cases for the worse. In many instances if you ask the average person how did they know someone was Jamaican? The answer would be, they spoke with a Jamaican accent or they were wearing Jamaican colors. Yet, if you asked them what colors are Jamaican colors? Most people would say red, green and gold and if you explain that the colors of the Jamaican flag is yellow, black and green, their answers would not change, they would go as far as to take a stand and say, “I just know they were Jamaicans.” This negative publicity has hurt the Jamaican brand for worse.
As a result of the arrogant reputation earned by Jamaicans and given to Jamaicans, there are some store owners who raise their prices because they hear a customer speaking with an accent and feel Jamaicans will pay the price because of their cockiness. As a customer, if you question the price, they question your Jamaican background. Jamaican I am wondering, are you kidding me, what one thing have to do with the other.
This reminded me of the time I went into a Jamaican Bakery to buy bread. I asked for a dozen loaves of bread which I was taking to my brother living out of town. The lady behind the counter asked, “How yu one fi get so much bred; wa di rest a people dem fi du (How can you alone get a dozen bread, what is the rest of customers suppose to get).” It would have being more courteous to say, “Sir, you will have to come back because we don’t have enough bread and lots of customers are waiting.” As a Jamaican, she displayed total arrogance.
“kiss mi neck back, dis gal feasty”
I said to myself, “kiss mi neck back, dis gal feasty” (are you kidding me, this young lady is disrespectful). I had the opposite experience in the same store with a different lady. This was a greeted immediately as I walked in. I received great service and was a satisfied customer and showing my appreciation by leaving a tip.
The line between Confidence and Bay-face is thin, many people often tip the scale and Jamaicans are no different. One of the world greatest athletes Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mohammed Ali. Six times Basketball Champion Michael Jordan was considered arrogant by many. Track and Field 100m and 200m world record holder, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt was viewed as arrogant when he crossed the finish line pounding his chest.
To be the greatest requires a certain attitude. While many Jamaicans are labeled as arrogant, in my humble opinions. The majority of Jamaicans are confident, humble, sincere and approachable people, willing to listen and learn. But let’s not forget the ones who are arrogant and think they know it all and believed they are superior. They lack sensitivity training, and display egotistical arrogance but please do not let one bad apple spoil the bunch when it come to Jamaican.
Who are you? Confident and ambitious or cocky and bay-face!! Bob Marley says, “Who the Cap fit, let them wear it.”
