Do and don't in the Bahamas

Given the compact size of the islands, it is not surprising that the majority of Bahamians, over 80 percent, live within an urban area. Indeed, agriculture has never played a substantial part in the life of Bahamians but we are hoping to change that as we import over $300M in food products each year.

Although a former British colony there are still many of the older traditions and practices that are reminicent of a gentler time, however the modern lifestyles of most Bahamians have largely been influenced by the islands' proximity to the America mainland especially shopping and fashions....

If you are intending to visit the Islands before moving there remember a 15 percent tip is standard for most services, but make sure you don't pay twice: many resorts and restaurants automatically add a service charge to the bill.

Lightweight casual clothes are the most popular dress in the Bahamas. During the day, you will probably wear a swim suit, shorts or lightweight trousers. Bathing suits are appropriate only on the beach or around the pool. Avoid wearing skimpy clothing in town. In the evening there are more occasions to dress up.

In the winter peak season, dress is generally more formal. Long skirts, cocktail dresses, and smart trousersuits are acceptable for women. A shawl or sweater may come in handy too, when winter ocean breezes push temperatures to 50°F.

In the summer, temperatures are higher, prices are lower, and dress is more casual. Fewer restaurants require men to wear jackets at that time of year, but it is still advisable to bring one. An umbrella comes in handy in summer for the brief showers that sometimes fall in the afternoon.

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Expat.com wrote:

Are you living in the Bahamas? We need you to share your experience of the local customs

Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in the Bahamas?

Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in the Bahamas?

Thanks!

DO STAY HOME

DON T GO TO THE BAHAMAS

It is unsafe, dangerous, dirty, people spit and do noises with their throats and nose and it is socially acceptable.
You can drink and drive. There are a lot of killings, over 22 per 100.000 (developed countries are below 5...) and a lot of rapes, mostly from cab drivers, but they do not go to the press.
Be prepared to get charged as you had the best services and quality BUT be ready to wait for hours and get screwed.
Do not trust the police.
Nor the locals.
Nor, specially, the cab drivers.
On the other side, Jitneys (little buses) on the 10th line, are quite safe.
Groceries extremely expensive, terrible quality. Get ready to not being able to find what you need, even if you go to 4 different supermarkets...

On average they are so fat, that if you are slightly overweight, you will think you are super...

The BEST of  the BAHAMAS:
Beaches are amazing, most of them away from Nassau. But at the end it is not worth to be there suffering...

For degenerated people a tip: You cannot, by law, RAPE, your wife... It will be hard sex or whatever but the husband cannot be charged of raping...(DO YOU REALLY WANT TO LIVE WITH THESE PEOPLE???).

The pretend to be extremely religious, but they are super promiscuous... The family concept is weird...

If you have a lot of money, it can be nice to live there, if not pick somthing else...

By the way, they are extremely racist...

Wow. I've just read the two messsages on living in the Bahamas and what a difference!! One is talking about clothing and etiquette and the other is just saying how bad/corrupt/ dangerous/dirty/racist it is???
Can anyone comment as I'm thinking of moving to work there and am having doubts about it now!!!

Uhmmm, let me see if I can help you... I am not Bahamian, but European. I am leaving this Island soon to move to the US, where I will have to pay nice taxes, but you know what, I will be very happy to leave this place.

Basicpoints, it is quite apparent that you are bitter due to an experience or many in the Bahamas. You speak with the tone of a foreigne and it is a pity because to enjoy a country, one must first immerse themselves in the culture and the people to understand before passing judgement.  How can I say this?  I can, because if you really knew the Bahamas, then you would not sterotype as you have done.

Every country has crime, violence, dirty provinces and things that are not so nice.  When one decides to move to an island, there are also limitations which are obvious as most small islands in the Caribbean import food and other products according to the demands of the population.

There are many people who relocate to the Bahamas and never leave.

"Not all Bahamians are fat, not all resturants are slow, not every taxi driver is a crook, not every Bahamian is nasty, dirty or racists".

I am an expatriate living in Milano and I suppose I could say that this city is dirty, can't ever find the things I want in the supermarket, there is a murder almost every day, italians are racists......but then, that would be pretty stupid .......and close minded of me.

Wow!  My boyfriend and I are thinking of relocating from Canada to the Bahamas.  Is it really so bad?

Just like anywhere else, the Bahamas has its problems.  However, it is relatively a safe place to live.  I lived in the UK for four years while schooling there before moving back home.  When I first got back, I realized that the vegetables were not as fresh and there were things that I could not find that was in the UK.  But then we mostly import from the USA and not Europe.  However, that is now changing since we have been signing agreements with the European Union.  Our product market has widen.

For the Canadian's we have many New Brunswick items now in our food market.  But as I said we import most of our food.

With regards to people and the culture, we are generally a friendly people.  Those who immerse themselves into the life of the Bahamas get to learn the people and the culture and do not generally have a difficult transition from their own countries.  If you want to see more about the Bahamas perhaps you should look at the daily newspapers which are now online The Nassau Guardian thenassauguardian.com/;The Bahama Journal jonesbahamas.com/; and for gossip there is the Bahamas Press bahamaspress.com/.  You will get the general feel of the people, culture and everything Bahamian.

I am hoping that you are able to make up your minds on your own.  By the way, we are not racist.  We can not afford to be because our culture is built on tourism.