Family time. Caribbean style in a European way

It has been a while since I updated this blog, and it has a reason, no excuse, but a valid reason.
In 2013 my daughter was born, and my wife and I are raising her alone in The Netherlands. This takes quite some dedication and time. We do it with love and enjoy it. Now she is almost 2 years old, and we have entered her in daycare and soon she will enroll in pre-school. This will provide us with some free time.
Since our daughter entered our lives we often talk about the difference between living and raising a child in the Caribbean compared to in our case Europe. We have visited both Aruba and the Dominican Republic to let our families meet her. The biggest difference between the two regions is the role a family plays in your child's life and upbringing. In the Caribbean I feel much more dedication from relatives, and a more pro-active approach. In Europe people love the child, will help out from time to time, but it is more an exception to the rule.
In Europe things are structured and organized. What they expect you and your child to do from birth till her 18th birthday. And the child will enter into this system, which has its benefits and downsides. Time will tell in our case. We do miss our families even more now that we have a child and realize even more the value of having, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. To be fair, the problem in Europe is that relatives often live far apart from each other, making it more difficult to just drop by or letting you bring over your child to them. In the Caribbean, distances are shorter, and very often relatives live next to each other or in the same neighborhood/village.
Therefore I think it has also to do with the geography of the Caribbean, having a positive effect on family situations. From a European perspective one could argue that the proximity of relatives brings a lot of social control and pressure. Relatives who meddle in your family situation for example.
As they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. I Think raising a child in both regions has benefits and challenges. For now, we are making the best of the European advantages and coping with the "missing" Caribbean culture. I just wonder what culture my child will tend to go for more. Nevertheless I think having both, she will be able to reap the benefits of both. Time will tell.

What's a Carib to do?

Being born and raised in the Caribbean has given me a certain foundation for the person that I am now: psychologically, culturally, socially and so on. The interesting thing is that in the Caribbean you have access to many influences from all over the world. In my case in the 80's & 90's we had strong influences from both the USA and Venezuela. Of course there have been other countries and cultures, but these two I consider the dominant ones. In my case having a European mother did provide me with a third pillar of foreign influence next to the US and Venezuela. Even by being an Island part of the Dutch Kingdom, other than the education system, there was not much Dutch influence. We can see the results now, where most youngsters prefer English as a second language and hardly dominate Dutch. During the FIFA World cup it is very obvious. Less than 40% of the Inhabitants root for the Dutch National team.
To get back on topic. Currently I am living in The Netherlands, Europe, and there is a lot happening. The Crimea, Venezuela protests, Financial institutions that lost our trust, ecological problems, racism in politics etc. etc. Very negative. There are positive things as well, but unfortunately the media tends to focus a lot on the negative news (its a cliché, but I perceive it as such). As I get older (and wiser hahaha) I tend to reach back more and more to my Caribbean roots and look for comfort and solace to cope with daily life. Especially now that I have a family to take care of. (What values do I give my daughter?) Increasingly, I feel that also in the Caribbean we are becoming to westernized and adopt the bad practices of the old "mother countries" and larger "super powers". This is weakening the very thing I want to fall back on.

Local Marketplace in San Cristobal de Las Casas
during my Chiapas visit

working in tourism I always find it funny to see how certain people are proud of the fact that they tend to choose "original" destinations. Not yet tainted by western developement. Mostly these are (to western standards) underdeveloped countries where the people still live like they used to for the past say 100 years, and everything is cheap. Do they think these people chose this life? Not all of them, there are regions where they have, but these are then often called dangerous. Because they are considered rebels or dangerous outlaws. I remember visiting the province of Chiapas in Mexico. One of the most beautiful places on earth (in my opinion), but hardly any tourists. Even though they offer a whole lot. I got the feeling that the locals, especially from Mayan decent, did choose their current lifestyle. but when doing research they are considered dangerous by mainstream media. Just because they (mostly simple farmers) stood up against the big boys and re-claimed their lifestyle (chiapas conflict). So where are all these tourists looking for the "original experiential vacation". People don't be fooled by the media. And not even by this blog if you will. Find out for yourself. All I can say is that this blogpost comes from the heart, and it is up to you to do with it what you want.
What does this have to do with the Caribbean? Well, there are Islands trying their very best to maintain alifestyle that differs from the developed west, and others go the other way. I will be very open and honest here. I work in tourism and live off the developments in the Caribbean that one can argue are good or bad. So if I were to say I am this rebel propagating a return to original values, development of the region and a break with the west, would be hipocritical. Nevertheless, I am growing concerned with how things are developing and it is though making the right choices. For example, I have invested in a condo somewhere in the Caribbean. However, some questions keep haunting me. Was the land where the project is built on purchased in an honest way? The Builders (mostly from a much poorer Island), are they being treated fair? Will I take part of living in a bubble and turn my head from the much needed help on the other side of the fence? Therefore my daily question is: what am I doing to provide a positive contribution?
There are many other things on various Islands that I don't agree with or that anger/sadden me. But also a lot of beautiful and really good things. Maybe I worry too much, but unlike I posted earlier (Do not succumb to stress), I am unable to let worries of the present situation and therefore the future go.

Therefore the title for this blogpost, What's a Carib to do?

Trying to keep the overview (on life)

Interview with Dexter Tyson, creator and manager of Caribbean Facebook page: CaribScope

When I started with my blog "Caribbean2World", my goal was to show that the Caribbean has a lot to offer. Besides sun, sea and sand, we have a rich history, culture and interesting people. The way we approach life in the Caribbean is really something unique in the world and  little by little we have remarkable Caribs who every now and again provide us with an opportunity to showcase ourselves to the world. Just take the last Olympics in London 2012, where: Jamaica, Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad and The Dominican Republic achieved some incredible results and gold medals. I felt proud to be Caribbean. 

So, when exploring the web for inspiration, interesting stories and content for my blog I found out that I am not alone in my quest. One of the most exciting Facebook pages I recently became a fan of is: 

CaribScope 

Only 6 months old, and already has more than 1700 fans. The topics they post are right up my alley and it is therefore that I want to introduce you to them. Like their page and join us in our journey on learning what the Caribbean has to offer 2 the world.

Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Let's start at the beginning. From which part of the Caribbean are you?

I am from St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands, but I was raised on the island of St Kitts for the first 8 years of my life. My father is from St. Kitts and my mother is from the island Nevis, next door.

What inspired you to start your FB page Caribscope?

I have since long had a passion for the Caribbean. I just have this complaint that we are not taken serious and that our story is understated and overlooked. We are just thought of as a tourist destination; a place for rum, sun and fun. Images are conjured up of us lying around in hammocks, drinking rum and smoking weed all day. I want to change this image. I want the stories of our history to be told and the stories of our contributions to the world stage. I want to do and see documentaries about our region. I have always maintained that we helped to build the world and shaped and sustained the fortunes of Europe in a myriad of wars. 

I have to also point out that this page was a brainchild collaboration with a Jamaican friend of mine (Leighton Scarlet). He keeps a very low profile, handling the administration side of things. I am the one who provides the content and engage the fans.

Do you have a special or specific purpose for the page?

Yes, to, in my own small way, do the above ---promote more than just pretty beaches and share interesting tidbits about us to the world. It is certainly a labor of love; a love for my people, a love for my people and a love in telling about us.

Which Islands of the Caribbean have you visited?

St. Croix, St. John, St. Kitts, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Tortola and Jamaica. I visited Jamaica at least 20 times in the 90s and early 2000s.

The Caribbean has a tumultuous past. Nowadays we have Spanish, English, French and Dutch Islands. All of this creates one of the most interesting melting pots in the world. What do you consider to be the most important factor binding us together as Caribbeans?

As crazy as this may sound, it is our common history under colonialism, coupled with a common dominant culture that originated in Africa, for the most part. I love the fact that you can go from island to island and find the same foods with different names, for example.

How important do you feel is the pre-columbian history of the Caribbean for todays culture and people? Where according to you can you still find most of this in the Caribbean?

Sadly, the story of the pre-Colombian peoples take a backseat to those who came after and became the dominant culture. This would make sense because they are a minority today, however, it is no excuse to overlook them. To find the survivors, you have to go to a place like Dominica or St. Vincent where pockets of Kalinago people still live. Apparently it is a dying culture and it would be unimaginable that in 200 years, they could all be gone.

English: Scene of the Battle of Vertières during the Haitian Revolution (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is there anything out there, of which you think the world should know more about?

(This could be a piece of history, culture, or anything you find important)

Oh yes…I believe the Haitian Revolution is very understated in terms of the world stage and important revolutions. It is because of the Haitian Revolution, a large portion of the U.S exists today via the Louisiana Purchase. While the upside of the Revolution was that the Haitian slaves won their freedom, the downside and lesser known story is that France, along with other European nations and the U.S, gave the new nation a cold shoulder and hamstrung their growth by placing a massive indemnity on it and making sure Haiti was set up to fail from the start. We see the evidence to this very day.

Can you name some important and inspiring people from the Caribbean who you recommend us to get to know more of? And why? (these can be a historical and current persons)

Tim Duncan from St. Croix comes to mind. Consummate athlete and person. I am also fascinated by Toussaint L’Overture, the Haitian leader who got the Haitian Revolution on the way. There is also Fidel Castro. I really don’t agree with how he went about suppressing expression in his country, but I like how he thumbed his nose at the U.S for all these years and has outlived about 5 presidents. Since I consider Venezuela, technically, part of the Caribbean, I also had a great deal of respect for Hugo C. Chavez. I am all about challenging establishments if they are corrupt and watching the poor/weak rise up to challenge the elite. Chavez, at least from where I sit, did this. He may have been in Venezuela, but he was a champion to the poor and weak everywhere. Oh, and how can I forget the great Eric Williams of Trinidad. Talk about an intellect and with an impressive track record.

Any other bloggers, Facebook pages or websites promoting the Caribbean you recommend?

I am not sure of many, but I know they are out there. As a Virgin Islander, I tend to come across more pages about the Virgin Islands because most of my FB friends are from my home islands. So far I love your blog and I really, really, really love the name.

And last but not least, what is your secret insider’s tip of the Caribbean?

I can’t say really. I don’t really have any, so to speak. Whatever secrets we have, I want them revealed to the world because I believe our ‘secrets’ could be to the world’s enlightenment and benefit. If anything, for those visiting our islands, I would say that we are more than rum, sun and fun. I suggest, before visiting, grab a book that gives a deeper history of our islands other than some travel magazine blip that talks about Columbus and then races past slavery to get to beach and rum talk.

Your current Caribbean Island infrastructure is a product of your aspiration

During our latest marketing meetings we have been discussing the current state of our Islands infrastructure and how this affects tourism. More and more we have been getting reactions from tourists that our Island is losing its identity and becoming a destination just like everything else. We have the same architecture, the same franchises etc.

The internationalization (Americanization) of our Island can be considered both a good thing and a bad thing. Some people don’t like to find things they can find back home and others appreciate the comforts provided that are “just like home”. Fact is, we can’t change what we are right now. Problem is that we could end up in a “blame game” pointing fingers at who is at fault for letting our infrastructure develop into what we have now.

English: Logo for Esso (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In my opinion we are all responsible for our Islands infrastructure, design , look, feel and development. As a small Island we have been influenced strongly by neighboring countries and cultures. Especially the U.S.A. This is mainly the result of Aruba housing one of the largest oil refineries in the Region from the 1920’s to the mid 80’s. This refinery was run by Esso, a large US corporation. Esso invested large amounts of money into the Island and trained most of its local workers. They even built a colony for its expats which was a copy of what they had back home. These factors determined the aspirational benchmark for locals. This went on even after the refinery lost its importance and during my youth in the late 80’s through the nineties.

The point I am trying to make is that we were looking at the US as a target. A target for how we wanted to design our world (Island).  Whatever we saw on TV or in the movies, was something to aspire to and all local things became inferior or not worth it (in our minds). I remember when I was a little kid, we would rent videos that were just cartoons that were recorded via Satellite dish TV (by the few people who had one).  These videos included the commercials, mostly of toys. And our desire for these  toys grew and all the American brands such as Mattel, Hot wheels, Tonka and Fisher Price became “wannahaves”.  The same happened to our parents and ourselves when we turned adults. At some point I remember how proud we were to be able to tell a tourist that we have all the popular American fast food chains on the Island. This made us modern, and we felt that we were part of the developed world. We aspired to be like the US, and we made sure that our Island was developed in just that way.  

Currently a trend in tourism is “authenticity” and culture. Tourists want to escape what they have at home and experience new things and exotic cultures and locations. This puts us in a slight disadvantage, as we have been building and designing our Island to be a kind of copy of Miami.

Funny thing is that through social media I am seeing that especially my generation (30 -40 yrs.) is longing for originality, typical Aruban Nature, architecture, products etc. And we are all now complaining about the “Americanization” of our Island. Point is, we al wanted to be like that…..so we have only ourselves to blame. And yes, I mean you, all of my fellow Islanders who used to be brand conscious, and behaved like we were in a perpetual “saved by the bell” kinda world or teens wearing sporting goods of US teams that we have never heard of or seen playing and as if we were walking the streets of New York. Did we not all want to go shopping once a year at all the Malls in Florida? Well, that’s how we ended up with an Americanized Island.

So we should stop complaining and make sure that if we are now into different things, such as local criollo and typical things, we just have to do it. Restore your grandparents cunucu houses instead of building something new, Start making pan bati instead of driving to Wendy’s drive through. Have a beer at your local rum shop instead of going to South Beach. Teach your kids to play marbles (kiniki) instead of taking them to watch  cars, Toy story etc.

We are all responsible for what and where we are now. If we want to change…..we just have to be that change.

Current affaires, business and The Caribbean

The largest Tourism show (ITB Berlin) in Europe just ended. On the second day, we received the sad news about the situations in Japan. However, business went on as usual. I was at the Aruba stand handling a full agenda of meetings and appointments. Things for Aruba are looking good. A small part we play in what is keeping this world go round.

Going into the ITB my head was full of chatter and thoughts. It was a cocktail of recent privatisation/re-organisation, marketing plans, budgets, happy and not so happy people, The Middle-East, local politics, a sick grandmother of 92, contract negotiations, cash-flow problems and my personal stuff.

The world does not show mercy on you, this is life. The Dharma, the one truth, the one and only law if you will. In western terms: These things come with the job. Then watching the images from Japan on the news, puts things back into perspective. Don’t take life and yourself too serious, it is all impermanent.

Nevertheless all these things can get to you and cause some stress. So….how to handle this the Caribbean way?

Currently, the Caribbean has this romantic and exotic image of bei

Image via Wikipedia

ng the most relaxing and fun place on earth. Has it always been like this? I have read and learned a bit about our history. Not so relaxed and fun at all. Slavery, bloodshed, genocide, disease, racism and exploitation. Some of these still go on, however, in comparison, it is much better now.

One of the Caribbean’s greatest heroes, Toussaint l’Ouverture, has been through similar situations as I am encountering now (not that I can compare myself and my situation with him, but at the basis it can be compared a bit).

Toussaint did what he believed in and he was pushed by goodness and love for his people and country (and by people we are talking all races here, he did not discriminate). He came from nothing and grew to become a loved and respected General (also feared by his enemy). It is said that he did sleep only 3 – 4 hours a day while carrying out battles, thinking of strategies, running the country (Haiti and at some point the Dominican Republic as well) and taking are of his family. His life drifted through bloody periods, then prosperity and bloody again. In the end he died alone and forgotten in a dungeon far away from his beloved Caribbean.

Reflecting on this I sometimes think about what I am doing and why I am doing it. The same reasons Toussaint did. Will I gain glory? Will I go down empty handed and be forgotten?

The Caribbean way tells me that the reasons mentioned above should be enough. Glory is secondary and not real. All is impermanent. Surprisingly these things are also taught in Eastern/Asian wisdom. I’ve practiced and learned a bit of Japanese Zen Buddhism for the past years and therefore it helps answer my question:

What is a Caribbean boy into marketing to do amidst all these current affaires, pressures and life? What can I do to help?

Take it day by day, be driven by the love of what it is you are doing and never mind the rest.

It might not be a practical consolation, nevertheless….to all our Japanese brothers and sisters….. you will manage and get out of your current situation.

As Mr Paulo Coelho says: the one who fights a good fight on a daily basis will be redeemed.

Never give up, keep on going, one love …from the Caribbean 2 the World/Japan/New Zealand/Haiti/Libia/Tunisia/Egypt/Zimbabwe…./…./…../…..

Related articles

• Op-Ed: Davidson Toussaint on Why Tourism Is Not Unrealistic For Haiti

• A Tsunami Could Hit the Caribbean (repeatingislands.com)

What they don’t teach you in Marketing class

Marketing is a widespread “phenomenon”. When I started my studies, it was still relatively new and specific. Nowadays, it seems, everybody is a marketer. Or at least feel they are. I remember one professor telling us: “forget everything you have learned, throw away all your marketing books. Just use your common sense”. Marketing for him was 90% common sense and 10% application of theoretical knowledge. (just like Yoda tells Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: let go of your feelings….feel the force).

In many ways I do agree with him. There are many people out there who can be considered marketing geniuses, without having a formal degree in marketing. But, for all us “licensed” marketers, these can be some comforting words. I think it was in Tim Harfords book "The Undercover Economist" where he said something like:
I might not be as good as Einstein or other famous people, but at least I do the best I can at what I do best, and that is my contribution to this world

Lets look at the classical marketing approach of 80-20. Try to achieve 80% of marketing goals by using 20% common sense or theory? It will bore in the likes of around 70 - 30. In any case, just apply the percentage-mix you feel works best for you. This is what they don’t teach us in school or marketing courses.

Every person who has endured, survived and accomplished any kind of marketing course is sent into this world with a manual of theories, models and other stuff he or she can apply. This is always very noticeable with newcomers in any organisation. They start right away applying some model in order to achieve a goal which it should lead them to. This is all very good. That’s why they learned that stuff and why they have been hired and everybody is happy (at least that was in a nutshell my first start at where I work).

Then after a while you start noticing that your knowledge and implementation of these models mixed and based on common sense…..don’t always get approval. Something is wrong. The model indicates that in situation A one should apply model X and based on market trends, data and statistics, the logical outcome and therefore action should be AX. Still you meet resistance and negative feedback. How do you deal with this? Nobody taught me this in school?

Marketing, for a large part is what some call: “a people’s business”. And whilst theoretically we have been thought what the definition of People’s business is, we have not been trained on how to deal with this when things don’t go as planned.

Many times there are different people involved in determining the decision or direction of a marketing objective, strategy or tactic. They all have their own respective common sense, knowledge and experience. However….it’s a people’s business. They also have their own interests and desires that get included into the equation. Sometimes these “personal” factors defy common marketing sense and any existing model or theory. Yet, depending on the person, they can be very decisive in determining the chosen direction. As a marketer caught in the middle one should also have a certain level of political and diplomacy skills. How to reach a consensus where common marketing sense, partly based on facts and figures, can still please some of the personal desires. Sometimes it takes a little bit of pleasing in order to get the big plans rolling.

Scene in BBC's mini series ROME. Where Mark-Anthony and harras Octavian (Julius Ceasars Heir) for having pleased the poor people. However, Octavian sees the bigger picture:

Mark Anthony: What have you done?

Octavian's mother: What is the reason of this? You are giving the plebs their money!!
Octavian: I have promised it. I am sorry I have not told you before, I knew yo'd object. I have decided to enter public life, and this is a great way to introduce myself to the people.
Mark Anthony (very angry): That will be seen as a direct challenge to ME!
Octavian: Yes...but that isn't y intention at all. I suggest we make a public display of unity. That when you leave politics and I step in, you will be protected by me from your enemies in the senate. And I can provide that.
Mark Anthony: Who the **** do you think you are?
Octavian's mother: He does not have the money.
Octavian: I was able to borrow it in advance of my inheritance.
Octavian's mother: ...How much..did you borrow?
Octavian: Not much in the grand scheme of things?
Mark-Anthny:..How Much...?
Octavian (calmly answers): 3 million sesterstius

Here Mark Anthony and Octavian's mother completely flip out. Because that was a substantial amount of money back then. And to just give it away to the poor people.
Octavian's line always stayed with me: "Not in the grand scheme of things". He went on being one of the longest sitting roman rulers and set Rome on a course of prosperity.

As a marketer, one should always keep the end result in sight. It is essential that you create a track record of achieving results by keeping your focus. Because you can please people as much as you want, but at the end of the day, if you cannot deliver results all the pleasing has been in vain. And in the big bad business world, your actions to please can be easily set aside as being: It’s business…nothing personal. So even if you get fired, your achievements will not go un-noticed and will help you get back on your feet.

It is essential that you develop a 6th sense, if you will, for knowing exactly how to determine your marketing decision mix (based on facts vs. based on pleasing key people). This can only be achieved through experience. If someone wrote a textbook on this and schools started adding this to their curriculums, it might help a bit. But reality is never as exact as books make you believe.

So again, what my professor told me a couple of years ago is very useful:
“Forget everything you know and learned about marketing. Use your common sense”.
Determine for yourself why and who do you have to please and to what extend. Whilst never betraying your true marketing sense and instincts (integrity) for achieving real results.

And as Sir Richard Branson says: everything is allowed, as long as it is legal.