Greetings Good manners are a must: always greet people properly, treat elders with extra respect and acknowledge fellow passengers when getting into a route taxi. Superstition Many Jamaicans have a fear of duppies (spirits of the dead) and obeah (witchcraft) is more widely practised than one would think.

How do Jamaicans say respect?

Bless and Respect with an accompanying chin nod can be used as standard acknowledgements to people you pass on the street. no problem - the answer to just about every request made of a Jamaican. Also, exemplifies the national attitude. wa gwan - means what is going on?

What are Jamaican norms?

The highest-ranking values in Jamaica include a mixture of core collectivist values - honouring parents and elders, family security, equality, loyalty, friendship, responsibility and individualist values - independence, success, ambition, freedom, choosing ones own goals, etc.

What does PON mean in Jamaican?

PON is a word in Jamaican English (Patois) that carries an intrusive P on the English word ON. WEH YUH DEH PON means What are you doing? Literally translated as: What are you on (to do)? 1 Share.

What is the Jamaican lifestyle?

The country is a generally casual and relaxed society, away from the mad capital, with regular dancing and parading in the streets for a slew of activities. The banging of steel drums, soca and reggae music are ubiquitous, while tradition can also be seen in the arts and crafts churned out in busy markets island-wide.

What are some Jamaican curse words?

Top 12 Jamaican Christian Bad Words (Swears Words)Baxcovah – “It tun ovah to Baxcova” “A whey de Baxcova yuh a do”Back-foot – “Back-foot, Im lick di cyar to!!!” “Mi back-foot, a whey im seh im a do”Blouse and Skirt – “Mi see ah Blouse and Skirt crash dun a di road” “Blouse an skirt de food almost bun up mi tongue”More items

What does Braff mean in Jamaica?

Boastful Braff – To be Boastful Created and popularized by Dancehall artiste Teejay, when a Jamaican is “braff-ing” they are being boastful.

What does Rass Claat mean?

Definitions of Rassclaat (Vulgar) your raas is your bum, a claat is a cloth. Toilet paper! This is the actual meaning, but it is often used as an adjective when expressing disatisfication.

What is life like in Jamaica?

According to the latest WHO data published in 2018, life expectancy in Jamaica is 73.6 years for males and 78.5 years for females. That said, the total life expectancy is 76 years, which ranks Jamaica on 59th place on World Life Expectancy.