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Social Profile
Food & Drink: There are a great many restaurants offering both international and traditional Bajan cuisine at a variety of prices. Local specialities include flying fish, lobster and crane chubb. The sea urchin (oursin or sea egg) is a particular speciality. Other local foods include sweet potatoes, plantains, breadfruit, yams and such fruits as avocados, pears, soursops, pawpaws, bananas, figs and coconuts. An exchange ‘Dine Around’ system is operated between some hotels of the same class and guests can eat at other hotels for no extra cost.
Local drink specialities include all types of rum-based cocktails, rum punch, planters punch, pina coladas and sangria. The local beer is Banks. The two most famous rums are Cockspur’s Five Star, and, for the connoisseur Mount Gay (the oldest rum blend on the island). There are numerous bars which emulate the British pub, and serve genuine British bitter and stout.
Nightlife: Nightclubs, discos and bars provide entertainment including limbo dancing, fire-eaters, steel bands and dance bands. There is a small cover charge. As in all Caribbean countries, swinging nightspots tend to come and go with seasons. Coastal boat trips with live entertainment are very popular; most sail twice daily, and run buffets, bars and live music.
Shopping: Shopping is a delight and there is a wide range of goods with visitors being able to take some purchases home duty-free on production of their passport and air ticket. Liquor and cigarettes are sent to the airport or port for collection on departure. Other items can be taken away at point of purchase. Prices tend to be on the high side, though for such things as jewellery, clothing and ceramics the high quality often makes the expense worthwhile. Special purchases: rum, straw goods, coral and shell jewellery, prints (batik) and woodcraft. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0830-1600 (supermarkets are open longer on Saturdays).
Special Events: All details are available in The Visitor, published weekly, and The Sunseeker, published fortnightly, available in most hotels. The following is a selection of the major festivals and other special events celebrated in Barbados in 2003. For a complete list and exact dates, contact the Barbados Tourism Authority (see Contact Addresses section).
Jan 13-19 Barbados Jazz Festival. Feb 16-23 Holetown Festival. Mar Barbados Open Golf Championship. Mar 2 The Barbados Sandy Lane Gold Cup. Mar 11-29 Holder’s Opera Season. Apr Congaline Music Festival. Apr 19-21 Oistins Fish Festival. May Barbados International Track and Field Classic; Gospelfest. May 18-Jun 2 Celtic Festival. July Crop Over Festival. Aug 24 Banks Hockey Festival. Oct Blowing in de’ Windies (public schools rugby tournament). Oct 16-20 ‘Sun, Sea and Slam’ – International Bridge Festival. Nov 1 National Independence Festival of Creative Arts. Nov 30 Independence Day Celebrations. Dec 7 Run Barbados Road Race (marathon).
Social Conventions: Social attitudes, like administration and architecture, tend to echo the British provincial market town. However, the optimistic attitude, laid-back manner and wonderful sense of humour of the Bajans is well appreciated by many tourists. Casual wear is acceptable in most places. Dressing for dinner in hotels and restaurants is suggested. Smoking is generally unrestricted. Tipping: In restaurants or nightclubs, tips are usually ten to 15 per cent. Porters’ tips are at the customer’s discretion.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
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