Gifts for locals

[Rastarea]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Some observations:

As reported before, don't give something for nothing, or you will create problems for the people in your wake. Trade for services, fish, vegetables, fruits, or local crafts.

South Pacific is the land of the t-shirt and shorts--they have a very inefficient distribution system, and the used t-shirt which cost you less than a dollar at the Salvation Army thrift shop would cost them $15-30 in the village. They would much rather have the shirt than the dollar, and most of the kids are wearing rags or nothing at all.

Don't give booze. Many of the aboriginal societies have had no or limited exposure to alcohol, and they will not stop drinking what you give them until it is gone. Then they will go home and beat the wife and children, or swim out to your boat for more, or worse.

SE Asia has a much more efficient economy, and money is more appropriate.

Your time and expertise are appreciated anywhere. I still have fond memories of the days I spent in Fiji, helping patch up a boat and outboard which had washed up on the shore, installing a homemade mini-hydro plant in a waterfall in Vanuatu, and fixing sewing machines in Tonga.

You & I are on the same page.

Someone (better then me) shall write a ''code of cruising ethics'', that covers gifts, pollution, NOISE (my favorite) etc...

[Lady Circumnavi]

I agree with the previous post that the greatest gift you can give is your friendship and possibly some service for the village. Travel with a willingness to help and willingness to learn. Whatever gifts you do carry, always spend a few moments considering the impact of those gifts. Alcohol and cigarettes, why would any well-intentioned cruiser pass those out? Pornography? What would you think of someone who came to your country, visited your home and then gave pornagraphic stuff to you and your family? Playboy, nude photos of women? How will those villagers view the next white women who sails into that village? Is this the best our culture has to offer?

On another lightly related subject- I had bare breasted, grass skirted women in PNG tell me that they appreciated that I came to their village properly dressed ( skirt and modest shirt) They had previously hosted a cruising couple who came to the village in bikinis. Respect is an attitude as well as a verb. The people in remote villages are not socially backward. They are perceptive, intuitive and socially very advanced. They have a lot to teach us.

[Hud3]

Very good advice, indeed! Being attuned to the local mores means a lot. You will "fit in", where others will "stand out".

[MarkJ]

Yes, Pete "NoTies" certainly proved the best point when he did a free outboard maintenance course for the locals and other cruisers whlie we were in Tonga.

He does them in most places he visits.

The one in Tonga he demonstrated using a locals 2 cylinder outboard. One spark plug had never been screwed in tighly enough since new, consequently burning it out and the OB had been 'working' and never given a service for 4 years!

So the locals can learn some good stuff from those with some useful skill. I say 'useful' as I am stuffed if I know what I could teach anyone from anywhere!

So high marks for Pete doing his bit around the world!

Mark

[Colorado Dreamer]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

(Snip)
We just hand fed some dolphins! I'll put a piccy up as soon as Miss Madame get them off her camera.

Isn't that breeding a welfare society?

Which dolphin gets the present? The most needy? Or the fastest to get to your boat? The friendliest?

[Rastarea]

Originally Posted by Colorado Dreamer

Isn't that breeding a welfare society?

Which dolphin gets the present? The most needy? Or the fastest to get to your boat? The friendliest?

Just like all national parks in North America...keep the wild in the wilderness, do not feed the wild animals!

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Soccer balls are a good idea. The kids love stuff like that and you give one and 22 kids get to enjoy! A bit expensive but...

If you look hard enough you can get them cheap. I just kept an eye on Ebay for a couple of weeks and got the balls for $2.50 a ball.