How to deal with vendors on your vacation

If you’ve ever been on vacation and were bothered by a local beach vendor, it’s an experience that can sour your vacation experience. Most Caribbean countries have public beaches even on resort locations. This means beach vendors are free to engage with the vacationers about selling items or island activities. Resort security will intervene if the vendors get too intrusive. Sometimes there are situations where you want to look at what they are selling and there are other times you just want to be left alone. Here are four tips to help you when encountering beach vendors.

1. Avoid Eye Contact

   • Avoiding eye contact is your first defense. Wearing sunglasses also helps. When a beach vendor is waving or yelling to get your attention, a blank stare away from the vendor will cause them to realize your are not interested. Vendors know when they are wasting their time on an uninterested individual and will move on. But, if you show any interest, they will fully engage you.

2. What To Say

   • When a vendor asks you anything simply say “no thank you”. If they ask again, say “no thank you” again. If you show any interest or weakness at all, they will pursue you. They realize that vacationers have a sentimental weakness to be nice and this can be exploited. Saying “no thank you” twice in a row has worked every time for me.

3. What Not To Say

   • Never say “maybe later” or “not right now”. If you show any interest at all, it shows you display the weakness of being nice and may be able to be pushed into a corner into buying what they are selling.

4. How To Respond to a Greeting

   • This one is the most difficult because most of us try to be friendly with everyone we meet. If a vendor greets you on the beach, respond with as little a response as possible. If they ask “how is your day going today sir?” You should respond with a smile and a head nod. Any verbal response will strike up a conversation you do not want because it will quickly turn into a sales pitch. If they wave at you, it’s best to pretend you did not see them. This is where sunglasses come in to play. If you wave back, it will once again encourage an interaction.

I always encourage my clients to bring extra cash to buy from the locals which not only helps individuals and their economy, but it also helps you remember your vacation by admiring some of the hand-made things made by those who share their home with you. I do not recommend going on excursions sold by beach vendors. Always go through the resort for finding reputable companies to book excursions. The resort can also find you reputable taxi drivers as well.

There are those times where you don’t have cash or just want to relax for the day. In those times, remember these tips to help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.