Social Profile
Food & Drink: With rare exceptions, dining takes place in hotels. Island specialities include whelk soup, conch chowder, lobster and special types of fresh fish. Continental dishes are also available as are US/European snacks such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Although some establishments have buffet-style serveries, table service is common.
Alcohol is freely available. Rum-based punch and cocktails are delicious and a wide selection of imported beer, wines and spirits can be found in most bars.
Nightlife: There are nightclubs and discos, and hotels arrange beach parties and other entertainments. Events are broadcast in advance on local radio.
Shopping: Fairly expensive. The islands’ small shops sell locally made baskets, jewellery, ceramics, shells, sponges, hand-screened cloth, souvenir T-shirts and rare conch pearls.
Special Events: For a complete list, contact the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of special events taking place in 2003:
Jan 1 Junkanoo Jump-Up (festivities from midnight to sunrise), Grand Turk and Providenciales. Apr 22 Earth Day (environmental events). May 24-25 South Caicos Regatta. Jun Conch Carnival, Grand Turk; Annual Turks & Caicos Classic Fishing Tournament, Providenciales. Jun 29-30 TCI Summer Jam, Grand Turk. Jul 22-28 Provo Summer Festival, Providenciales. Aug M.C. Expo (traditional sailing boat race), Middle Caicos. Sep 23-29 Cultural Week, various islands. Oct 11-13 Turks and Caicos Amateur Open Golf Championship, Providenciales. Dec 14 Christmas Tree Light Ceremony, Grand Turk. Dec 18 Anglican Church Bazaar, Grand Turk.
Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Hospitality is important and, when visiting someone’s home, normal social courtesies should be observed – if possible a return invitation should be made. A souvenir from home is well received. Informal dress is accepted for most events, but beachwear should be confined to the beach. Tipping: There is no tipping in hotels on any of the islands, ten to 15 per cent is added to all bills. In restaurants, tip ten to 15 per cent.
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