The title of this thread is “Straw Vendors Unhappy.” As I look back over my history in the Bahamas, I can’t remember a time when the were happy! They were always crying about something. When you thing that they have had and will have a building that will cost them nothing - except their monthly rent which few pay anyhow - I think they ungrateful.
all sheep are ungrateful. They cry even when fed. This is a classic example of animal farm. Just that the power that be does use these same sheep and promise them the world and don't fulfil on their promises.

We are facing this irritating situation with the straw market, because from the days of Sir Lynden and up to know it was used as a vote machine. The Straw Market is nothing but a microcosm of the ignorant masses we have in this country just pulling us down. The Straw Market, BTC, BEC, Public Transportation System et al, are doing nothing more than screwing this country without a drop of lube. I am sick of it and cant wait to leave!

We are facing this irritating situation with the straw market, because from the days of Sir Lynden and up to know it was used as a vote machine. The Straw Market is nothing but a microcosm of the ignorant masses we have in this country just pulling us down. The Straw Market, BTC, BEC, Public Transportation System et al, are doing nothing more than screwing this country without a drop of lube. I am sick of it and cant wait to leave!
Its better in the Bahamas.
And its not really them you know.
Its the governments we have had thus far.
The lawyers them like it this way and more so, they don't like how lube feels against their skin.

Again, if it were illegal, they would have been raided...Its like gambling in the Bahamas and setting up shop on side of the road.
That being said, see above comments about charging rent, just like the welcome centre. Plus I don't mind geeing you a house and car, but you ga have to pay for it...some way or the other

I een need ya house, car or land...I done work fa mine nobody had ta gee it to me. So keep ya tings an... no somey, no noney, no piecy fa you dred!

I een need ya house, car or land...I done work fa mine nobody had ta gee it to me. So keep ya tings an... no somey, no noney, no piecy fa you dred!
keep it then, and let it rotten on the vine.

keep it then, and let it rotten on the vine.
No matter you een ga ever know. Besides it een rottenin...somebody like it!

No matter you een ga ever know. Besides it een rottenin...somebody like it!
I am told there are those who like their cheeze stink! I just saying. :angel:

I am told there are those who like their cheeze stink! I just saying. :angel:

Keep ya analogies straight...cheese doon grow on no vine...an by da way





Shet up you jess mad cause you can get none wit out buyin it!!!Like I said before no noney ,no somey, no piecey!!!!!

Keep ya analogies straight...cheese doon grow on no vine...an by da way
Shet up you jess mad cause you can get none wit out buyin it!!!Like I said before no noney ,no somey, no piecey!!!!!
lol

Lets be real:

1. The "straw" market is really a thieves market - bunch of criminals selling counterfeit goods - I suppose it is more cool to be chinese than proud to be Bahamian

2. Lot of glass houses around here everyone keeps complaining about the fakes and knock off - yet if you go to the straw market a high percentage of the "shoppers" are Bahamians. I can also add that 95% of the Louis Vuitton in this country (yes owned by Bahamians) are FAKE.

The market should be closed immediately and all vendors given 48 hours to prove origin of their goods or they will destroyed. Any one caught purchasing counterfeit goods should be fined the value of the actual good times 6 or face imprisonment.

3. Are we really willing to look into the mirror on this one? What about illegal copy DVD's, numbers houses, trademark infringment (you trying to tell me that the day cares around here with Dora, Sesame Street etc images paid for those images?), how about local radio pirating by sampling popular music on local audio commercials, wanna mention cable bahamas? I can go on and on

This is not a political issue as much as it should be an enforcement issue start fining and arresting people. That won't happen because people will cry and moan how unfair it is and people are just trying to make a living - tis a crime.

And we really wonder why the crime rate is escalating while the majority of us conduct in or turn a blind eye to criminal behavior everyday

Lets be real:
1. The "straw" market is really a thieves market - bunch of criminals selling counterfeit goods - I suppose it is more cool to be chinese than proud to be Bahamian
2. Lot of glass houses around here everyone keeps complaining about the fakes and knock off - yet if you go to the straw market a high percentage of the "shoppers" are Bahamians. I can also add that 95% of the Louis Vuitton in this country (yes owned by Bahamians) are FAKE.
The market should be closed immediately and all vendors given 48 hours to prove origin of their goods or they will destroyed. Any one caught purchasing counterfeit goods should be fined the value of the actual good times 6 or face imprisonment.
3. Are we really willing to look into the mirror on this one? What about illegal copy DVD's, numbers houses, trademark infringment (you trying to tell me that the day cares around here with Dora, Sesame Street etc images paid for those images?), how about local radio pirating by sampling popular music on local audio commercials, wanna mention cable bahamas? I can go on and on
This is not a political issue as much as it should be an enforcement issue start fining and arresting people. That won't happen because people will cry and moan how unfair it is and people are just trying to make a living - tis a crime.
And we really wonder why the crime rate is escalating while the majority of us conduct in or turn a blind eye to criminal behavior everyday
Well I don't buy knock offs dvds, bags, clothes and i would be happy to see them shut down.

I would not cry if the straw market gets disbanded all together.....I say let the private sector mostly the hotels create commercial space for the serious traders of Bahamian craft and souvenirs.
But if the government is going to do something for them (alas) then lets just do it already. This issue has no right trumping serious national problems that are trully affecting people in more ways than one.

I understand that your not bahamian, but like or not every one in the market have children, and the staw market is apart of us and it their to stay, I promise you, if the government dont help those people they will be move, like or not. Dont think for a minute that all bahamian are fools.

I understand that your not bahamian, but like or not every one in the market have children, and the staw market is apart of us and it their to stay, I promise you, if the government dont help those people they will be move, like or not. Dont think for a minute that all bahamian are fools.
I am not sure I understand you. Would you kindly elaborate please.

Lets be real:
1. The "straw" market is really a thieves market - bunch of criminals selling counterfeit goods - I suppose it is more cool to be chinese than proud to be Bahamian
2. Lot of glass houses around here everyone keeps complaining about the fakes and knock off - yet if you go to the straw market a high percentage of the "shoppers" are Bahamians. I can also add that 95% of the Louis Vuitton in this country (yes owned by Bahamians) are FAKE.
The market should be closed immediately and all vendors given 48 hours to prove origin of their goods or they will destroyed. Any one caught purchasing counterfeit goods should be fined the value of the actual good times 6 or face imprisonment.
3. Are we really willing to look into the mirror on this one? What about illegal copy DVD's, numbers houses, trademark infringment (you trying to tell me that the day cares around here with Dora, Sesame Street etc images paid for those images?), how about local radio pirating by sampling popular music on local audio commercials, wanna mention cable bahamas? I can go on and on
This is not a political issue as much as it should be an enforcement issue start fining and arresting people. That won't happen because people will cry and moan how unfair it is and people are just trying to make a living - tis a crime.
And we really wonder why the crime rate is escalating while the majority of us conduct in or turn a blind eye to criminal behavior everyday


These are some good and valid points that you made here. However, mines and alot of other people's issue with the straw market is their claim to being the cultural and touristic back bone of this country. The Straw Market is a mockery of authentic Bahamian culture. It is a watered down hasbeen of a product. Not to mention it is filthy, and filled with people that aren't Bahamian and have little semblance of the culture and history of the Bahamas. How many of them in that market ever took a course like People to People that would have taught them how to effectively interact with tourists? Taught them the history that they needed to know if a tourist asked, etc?

I am not saying that the other points you brought up werent important, but the Straw Market is unique in that it is held up as a cultural icon in this country.

I understand that your not bahamian,

May that be the last time you make that assumption..................

The last thing that needs to happen in this country is for people to start denouncing their own citizens over a difference in opinion.

THAT IS WHAT IS UNDEMOCRATIC AND UN-BAHAMIAN

CHECK THAT NOW!!!!!

but like or not every one in the market have children, and the staw market is apart of us and it their to stay, I promise you, if the government dont help those people they will be move, like or not. Dont think for a minute that all bahamian are fools.

That is not a statement relevant to the preservation of the dignity of downtown, our city, and the city's tourism product as a whole, which represents a considerable percentage of the business activity in the Bahamas.

I should not even address the "those people get children" part. If the preservation of their own trade, even if it is in the selling of knock offs are in their best intrest (like for the support of their children), why are they not banding together to maintain some kind of acceptable sanitary conditions to conduct business? Why are do they have poor records in paying the small rent fees which would be dedicated to the upkeep of their spaces. Why then do they insist on the government spending moeny of other Bahamians....who have children too.....to provided them with commercial space that other Bahamians.....with children too.....have to spend time and resources to search or build themselves.

I would also like for someone to tell me exactly what is bad about the straw vendors being moved to Prince George Wharf? They will be as closer, and more visisble to the cruise ship passengers than ever before and that's incentive enough!