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Social Profile
Food & Drink: High-quality restaurants serve everything from French and Italian to Chinese cuisine. Island specialities include fresh fish and lobster. Dining out is casual and there is an increasing number of eateries on the main islands offering seafood, burgers, steaks and local fare. Cruzan rum is strong and distinctive.
Nightlife: Steel bands, folk singing, calypso and limbo dancing are popular. Discos are also available. St Thomas has several nightclubs; many hotels also offer entertainment. Cinemas on St Croix and St Thomas show English-language films.
Shopping: All luxury items up to US$1200 are cheap as they are duty free. Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas is the best shopping centre. Best buys include watches, cameras, fine jewellery, china, leather goods, perfume, spirits and designer clothing. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700. When cruise ships are in port, some shops open on Sunday.
Special Events: For a full list contact the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses). The following is a list of special events in the US Virgin Islands during 2003:
Jan 1 Second Annual St Croix International Marathon, St Croix. Jan 6 Festival Village Grand Finale (fireworks to mark the end of the Crucian Christmas Festival), St Croix. Feb 15-17 Agriculture and Food Fair, St Croix; St Croix International Regatta. Feb 22 P’Your Passion Calypso, St Thomas. Mar 28-30 Rolex Cup Regatta, St Thomas. Mar 29 Koresh Dance Company, St Thomas. May 10-11 STARfest 9, St Thomas. Jul 3-13 St Croix Center Stage Event, St Croix. Aug 8-13 USVI Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (angling event), St Thomas. Aug 14-18 Pro International Billfish Tour (angling event), St Thomas. Oct/Nov Eighth Annual Coral Reef Swim (five-mile swim), St Croix. Dec Crucian Christmas Festival, throughout the islands.
Social Conventions: The US Virgin Islanders are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful and the pace of life is very relaxed. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting and the appropriate time of day (good morning/afternoon/evening) is usually uttered at every encounter. Politeness and courtesy is expected. Dress is informal for most occasions apart from the formal requirements of some hotels. Tipping: All hotels add eight per cent room tax and ten to 15 per cent service charge. Restaurants will either add a ten to 15 per cent service charge or expect the equivalent tip.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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