It is certianly good to see lots of discussion on this one.
So, first, although I am not living in Nassau at the time (left in 84) dont think that I do not still have stong ties there. Do not assume I dont go back, and often.
As someone mentioned, they do alot of work, and have worked hard since they were young. Perhapse, Im wong in saying Bahamians are lazy because a few are not. But, would not working smarter, for more money be better than just working harder? Benefits to both I suppose.
Now then to one poster, that said Bahamas' best export it its people. I thought about it, and you may be right. I may never have been a IT Profesional in a B$ company in Bahamas, and I am proud that I am one in Canada. Incase your wondering I am white ... and the people working with me in my team are from .. asia, Gyuana, Jamacia, Montreal, Poland, Russia, Halifax, Middle East. I only mention this to say that sooner or later this black-white thing has to stop and people just move forward. But back to exporting people. Think of all the Bahamians that did not come back after leaving - denying the Bahamas the education, and experience - potential lost.
Someone mentioned the government as missleading the people. Well this is true all over the world not just Bahamas. Power Corrupts. Way back people said the UBP was the problem, well the PLP did not seem to fix the issue either, neither the FNM or the PLP again ... Stop looking to governemt ... they are all in it for themselves. Ill carry that forward to the Right/let in USA and the election going on here in canada. They all lie/fail to meet their promisses.
So this leave you. How do you move forward. Well, doing anything takes money, and requires investors, and there is not enough B$ to move major projects forward. Now the world bank has loaned, and continue to loans the Bahamas millions. What have we done with it? Im sure its gone to paying salaries, and sustaining the current way of life, but what has it done/been used for to develop ecanomic engines, that can start generating money inseted of consuming it? Im sure there is some, but after 25+ years you would think we could stop borrowing and start producing.
I agree to some poing Bahamians are not lazy, but if we are not net producers then we are net consumers (producing less than we consume). In its simplist terms we could not even produce the food to feed ourselves. Now maybe this is not purely lazeness, but there is clearly something we are NOT DOING to make things better.
Goverenment is there deciding on how they are going to devide the spoils of the next election, rather than planning how they could get water to Nassau in a cost effective and reliable mannor. Add to that Electricity. There are 2 HUGE industry potentials. And tell me why Bahamians cant grow Citrus as good and the stuff we import? I agree most of the imported produce is better, but we COULD do it Better, and while at it we COULD be exporting it too.
Oh and while thinking about it, how come here in canada I see tons of adds for Cuba, Dominican, Mexico, Eorope for vacation destinations? BUT RARELY one for the Bahamas ... are all the hotls full ... if so then great if not then some money should get put into promoting bahamas as tourisim is money generating.
Now, another issue. Up here the bahamas is looking more and more dangerous. maybe its a preception, but preception matters ... and .. the image leaking out is that you can get a cheaper, and just as nice and SAFER vacation in CUBA or Dominican. I agree its preception ... but preception leads to reality.
SO WHO OF YOU WILL BE THE FIRST to get one of the MEDIA down there to start asking REAL questions of the parties, like what specific negotiations they are having with investors as to what revenue generating projects (other than tourisim - the easy one) they are presuing .... cause the rest of the chatter is FLUF ... and if they cant tell you, then get ready for more of the same regardles the party.
-Q


Where in Canada are you? I am in SW Ontario at the moment.

Very good points!!!:tup:


Ishaq you have some good points. However, I think it is sometimes very difficult for Bahamians to relocate back to Bahamas once they have secured a job abroad. As one begins to work in his/her career, they move up, become used to way of living abroad, and have a family. To move to bahamas for way less pay to work in the trenches would be very risky; especially if they are starting a new buisness. I considered moving back as I recently finished school; however, when I invesitgated what I would make, the very poor benefits I would obtain etc, I realized I should stay up here, unless till I got myself straight financially. Anyways its a tough decision to make I suppose. At least in Canada there are tons of carribbean ppl around as well as ppl from other cultures.

And lets be real. There are some lazy bahamians and some that work very hard. Just like everywhere else, however I have heard this comment about lazyness or "dont-check" attitude from many people so maybe that means something about the way things are done in the bahamas.

Ishaq you have some good points. However, I think it is sometimes very difficult for Bahamians to relocate back to Bahamas once they have secured a job abroad. As one begins to work in his/her career, they move up, become used to way of living abroad, and have a family. To move to bahamas for way less pay to work in the trenches would be very risky; especially if they are starting a new buisness. I considered moving back as I recently finished school; however, when I invesitgated what I would make, the very poor benefits I would obtain etc, I realized I should stay up here, unless till I got myself straight financially. Anyways its a tough decision to make I suppose. At least in Canada there are tons of carribbean ppl around as well as ppl from other cultures.
And lets be real. There are some lazy bahamians and some that work very hard. Just like everywhere else, however I have heard this comment about lazyness or "dont-check" attitude from many people so maybe that means something about the way things are done in the bahamas.


I think you had it right the first time - there are lazy and hard working people in all countries. What I think lends itself to that "slack" or "lazy" perception is really the way the Public Service is ran. The Public Service perpetuates a cuture of slackness by giving the same medicore rewards to those that work hard and those that hardly work and also by not getting rid of those that don't work hard. The most energetic and enthusiastic employee could join the Service, stay late, work hard, be real dilligent but sooner or later they are going to notice that their lazy collegue getting the same increase to their salary and he is not in jeopardy of losing his job, so they do the same (by-in-large).

I agree with your assessment of why Bahamians decide to stay or move abroad. My point though, is simply understand that until someone pays the price that situation will remain. It will take the radical intervention of a few to stem that tide!

I kind of feel what you are trying to say, but Bahamians ARE NOT lazy at all!
The thing that's important to remember is that the Bahamas is only thirty-two years old - we're still very young. The problems that you highlighted, especially the one about being hyper-consumers are simply explained by the way we have thus far been socialized. We associate gardening, fishing and those types of jobss as being menial and as such we prefer to work in the hotel, law and accounting firms (by-the-way, I am an Accountant). I think what we in the Bahamas need is for people just to think a bit Capitalistically and innovatively. We have meted out a first-world standard of living while still being third-world (a developing economy) and so the impetus to work a bit harder, come up with new designs and innovate have not been produced en masse. We do have some bright spots, but I think that more of us need to dream, and then work to build those dreams IN THE BAHAMAS!
I also agree that until the Bahamas - non-government sector - has the mind / will or the resources to innovate and create, the government should do some things to stir economic fervor. For instance, BEC does not have a R&D division. I know that they have all the hell trying to keep the lights on, but the National Corporation charged with the generation of electricity in an affordable capacity should investigate various forms of electrical production. So, that's one way they could get the innovation ball rolling.
Not to start another thread or anything, but I understand why some Bahamians, after getting "educated" decide to stay wherever they are ie no opportunities. I would hope though, that at some point in their lives they come to the realisation that the only way to curb that cyclical trend is to come home and create those opportunities for the next breed. At some point, we have to be willing to sacrfice the initial $15,000.00 grand per annum to work the trenches, building the foundation of a better country and economy. To me, that's the only way it's going to work - if more people think about the long-term success of the Bahamas over their short-term profit. If you are not willing to do that, then please don't complain about the lack of opportunity or innovation in the Bahamas or its economic stagnation.



we aint lazy, we juz slow ...

in toronto (whitby specifically)

Jer,

Your right. I was planning to come back to bahamas. But having canadian/bahamian passports I staied here a while. Its nice to be able to go see sporing events live ... hockey, basketball, baseball ... The culture here is good, and I like going to the theater and resturants too.

It does not take long to meet a girl, settle down, have the dog, kids ... and then your right there is more than just yourself to think about. Not to mention the 1/2 decent health care system here.

That said, Bahamas has lots that it could do, and retaining the youth and motovating them to productivity is key. Some of that has to start inside the person though.

-Q

Rory,

"we aint lazy, we just slow ..." LOL

The description dosent matter, same outcome. ..

Anyway Rory, I stuck out here in Fredrickton NB, enroute to Saint John. Frigin Snow/ICE turing a 13 hour drive into a 3 day adventure now. 4Runner at the side of the rode now getting tire repaired. Picked up a flat somewhere. Weather so bad, the last 400KM of the trip i did in 3rd gear and 4x4, could not see the road, and the snow/ice comming at you so hard it blinding. Woke up this am, with 2' + snow polled up arround the truck. Had to DIG out to get in - LOL

All good, though ... Be in saint john tonight.

ciao

-q

Rory,
"we aint lazy, we just slow ..." LOL
The description dosent matter, same outcome. ..
Anyway Rory, I stuck out here in Fredrickton NB, enroute to Saint John. Frigin Snow/ICE turing a 13 hour drive into a 3 day adventure now. 4Runner at the side of the rode now getting tire repaired. Picked up a flat somewhere. Weather so bad, the last 400KM of the trip i did in 3rd gear and 4x4, could not see the road, and the snow/ice comming at you so hard it blinding. Woke up this am, with 2' + snow polled up arround the truck. Had to DIG out to get in - LOL
All good, though ... Be in saint john tonight.
ciao
-q


Muddos, you were way out in NB? I never went past ontario man and am close to London. I am spending the holidays in Orlando.....happy New Year all!