I was never invited to go to the VI. Nobody asked me to come visit. I just decided to go. So when a stranger like me just shows up, I don't know that i can have any particular expectations about how I'll be treated. If anything, i might want to have some sensitivity toward the impact that I have on the poeple who live there.

Yes, no one by name invited me to go to the Virgin Islands. Nobody by name asked me to come visit. However, I just loved all those ads in magazines and TV commercials that invited me to America's Paradise.
So, I planned for many months and spent a lot of money for a vacation to remember. I did have expectations
about how I'll be treated. The same anyone would want to be treated in their home town or many miles away.
The same as if a native Virgin Islander would want to be treated if they came to my town for a vacation. I am sure in my own little way I helped the economy and the people who live there. I spent money in the hotels, taxis,
restaurants and shopping. I am just a plain every day tourist, that will tell everyone back home of my treatment in America's Paradise.

What you say makes sense. When we were on the island, we went into CA on an afternoon when there was only 1 cruise ship in (the rest of the week had days with 3-5 in per day) and even I was getting annoyed with how some of those folks from the cruise ship acted. 😉 But it's funny, the folks working the shops assumed we were with the cruise ship, and when we said "no, we're staying here on the island" it really almost seemed like they softened up a bit and were a bit different in how they talked to us.

We had a wonderful time and can't wait until we can go again. I'm so glad we had the opportunity.

*edited for typo

I think the cruise ship climate does not help. Anytime you have a ship that dumps a few thousand people in one relatively small town at the same time places strains on the people living there. Then add several ships at the same time and over time locals lose their welcoming soul a little. STT is also the center of all who travel to the area. STJ and BVI visitors mostly travel through STT airport. STT is one overloaded island.

I great up in "America's Hometown" and we suffered through the invasion of tourists and summer people all the time. Our roads were gridlocked even in those days during the invasion. For the most part we didn't like the tourists and as kids we used to mess with them. We didn't understand that they fed our economy to a large degree. As for the locals in the USVI, I for one can understand the frustrations of dealing with tourists. But I must say that after our 7th year of visiting we have yet to run into people that I would consider to be rude and obnoxious with the exception of many of the tourists. I hate to be identified as a "tourist" because of their actions especially, it would seem, those from the cruise ships. Do the young people have a chip on their shoulders? Which young people are you talking about? It is a said fact that you can find that attitude almost anywhere you travel and live. That isn't to say that all young people are like that but I certainly hope that the ones that are will change as most of us did as we became adults. If I were to list all the positive encounters we have had with the locals it would take far too long and as for negative encounters, I am having a difficult time recalling one. My wife and I spend all our time travelling around the islands and meeting people both locals and transplants. We have always treated people that we meet with respect and get the same in return but then I guess that is just who we are. Sometimes, if we don't like how we have been treated we simply have to look to ourselves and see us as others see us and evaluate how we deal with others. We will continue to travel to the USVI in part because of all the wonderful people that we get to meet. And we will continue to travel about on the islands and not hide at our resort and expect to be treated like royalty.

We always treat people kindly and with respect because that's how we were raised to be. And we certainly don't go to a resort to hide out and be treated like royalty. That's definitely not our personalities at all.

Agree totally,
We met the nicest local, tourist when we were their
The only rude people were at customs in St.Johns

Living in a touristy area in NH, I am also familiar with visitors from out of state/country etc. They are not always my favorite people. They drive differently (i..e pull out in front of you, pass on solid yellow, drive like maniacs etc), talk differently (loud, louder loudest), expect you to bow to their wish because they "are on vacation and are spending money to support your state". Of course this means only a few of them, but it's the bad ones we remember. Well, consider we state sides visiting the islanders all year round. I'm sure they get mighty sick of us loud, pushy, rude people, even if we think we are not being so. They get frustrated, like we do when tourists invade. Yes, we are supporting them, but it doesn't mean that each and every one has to act like we are God's answer to their prayers. They are doing their job, and as their customs are different from ours, just let them do their jobs and go have fun yourself. If you don't like the attitude of one person, the next one will probably be nicer. Smile, follow the rules, have fun, and don't screw the locals. Remember you are a visitor. And if you live in a tourist area, you can get a small taste of what they must rely on for their living in the islands.

Well said Mary anne!

I always read, but never post. This time I have to put my two cents in. Having lived on STJ for several years, I have come to appreciate how hard it is to deal with the throngs of tourists that visit. During high season, prices in the grocery stores go up, traffic here in tiny Cruz Bay becomes terrible, and the beaches are crowded beyond belief. It is impossible to dine out, and the volume of the island gets higher and higher.
Now, this is not to say that we don't appreciate our guests, but it does get to be a bit much after a while. The fact that the season down here is just getting longer and longer, seems to really tire a lot of residents out. A few years back high season was done in April and it stayed a little busy until July. Then our island became quieter and we could breathe! Now the season is through August and into September, a short break the end of September through October, then it starts all over again. Our little break to regroup is getting smaller.
It is also difficult to see our island suffer from just the simple wear and tear of so many people. The beaches suffer, the litter (which used to be rare) builds up, and the sheer volume of trash generated is frightening. We all know STJ just does not have the infrastructure to handle this.
I really hope I don't sound too negative. That is not what I am meaning to do. I just hope I can give some points that maybe our guests never thought of. Case in point...I went to Starfish shopping and was behind a few families that had huge carts of groceries (bet the had to take out a home loan for that!) and they were so rude to the woman cashier. Barking orders and complaining about prices. She just went on doing her job and finished their orders. Never was she thanked or treated well by these two groups of tourists. When I came up to her, she just ignored me and started ringing in my order...I am sure she just guessed I was another rude tourist. I said 'Good Afternoon' and she replied, but still no smile. She probably thought I was just trying to act local and greet her. Then I asked how her day was and said I could appreciate that some people are kind of pushy, but keep smiling. I got a big smile and a thank you from her. A little kindness goes a long way. Maybe some of the native and locals just want someone to remember that this is their home and they are people with feelings just like everyone else. Instead of just a greeting...why not show a little more interest in the person? Try it, I think you will be amazed at the change. I live here, but I am still a guest of those that have been on these island for hundreds of years.
Thanks for listening to me. I hope I didn't babble too much!

I know what you mean about wishing people would be more friendly. I had several less than enjoyable encounters yesterday. I stopped in a couple stores where the cashiers were much more interested in talking to their friends than in waiting on me. They were curt and impatient, like they were doing me a favor. I had lunch in a restaurant where the waiter seemed annoyed that i wasn't sure what i wanted. I had to get gas and the attendant rebuffed my attempts to be pleasant. Later, we took a bus and some local kids were loud and making other passengers feel uncomfortable. I don't know how this can be addressed, but I wish it would be. If you figure out how to do it in the VI, let me know. Maybe the same tactics would work here in Massachusetts.