What region has the greatest cultural influence on the Cayman Islands?
Posted on Mon, 04/05/2010 - 17:16
Britain/Europe
5% (20 votes)
North America
69% (284 votes)
The Caribbean
27% (110 votes)
Total votes: 414
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Country Music
Eh, American culture. Two words. Country music. I came here to escape US culture, and I end up buying food in the store imported from my home state California, and initially found myself having a harder time finding local food than American fast food. Now after a while I've found the local flavors that I prefer, but I'm also am surprised over the profound impact US have had over these island, it's just like the black South in parts (where I have family). Cayman is far from alone however in its US adaption, although it's the first US influenced country that I've been to that seem to actually prefer country music over reggae. That I didn't expect on a Caribbean Island.
Then you do not understand
Then you do not understand our history. Caymanians were seafarers on American ships. They had homeports like Mobile Alabama, Tampa Florida, and Port Arthur Texas. The traditional musical tastes and cultures have always in recent history therefore been of those places. To equate Caribbean and reggae is also very blinkered. Soca, Calypso, Ska, Dancehall, not to mention numerous latin styles are also regional. I guess to you I have to be black, poor, semi clothed, sit under a tree all afternoon, have dreadlocks, and be offering you a puff on my spliff, to be "truly Caribbean".
Can we also add in atrocious
Can we also add in atrocious American architecture - mmm I love the spiritual uplift from seeing a strip mall.
SARCASM ALERT: For those of you who don't get sarcasm, that last bit was sarcastic.
American style TV, American
American style TV, American style plaza's out in the districts and nothing in the town centre/capital - that's American. Rock music at all the bars - that's American. Drive-through diners - american. Service staff at bars - predominantly american/canadian. I could go on and on but basically the only thing I see remotely British here is driving on the left side of the road, and most can't even get that right either.
Hmmm the biggest influence??
Hmmm the biggest influence?? Uganda?? At least as far as this government goes.
Idi Amin did not receive a
Idi Amin did not receive a high school diploma . . .
Perhaps Uganda has a better
Perhaps Uganda has a better educational standard than us then? Perhaps they actually have to achieve something academic before they can leave with a diploma?
Cayman is looking more & more
Cayman is looking more & more like the states...& its pretty sad that we're losing our identity & culture. The US is definitely the biggest influence on our island.
What local culture was there
What local culture was there to lose? This really is a cultural wasteland. It is the most depressing part about Cayman, that it is so cultural vacuous and ignorant about how bad it really is.
I had a hard time voting for
I had a hard time voting for this as it is impossible to divine any local culture to influence in the first place. Assuming that nature abhors a vacuum, it is obvious that this place is highly Americanised and is getting more so.
Oh Skippy, that's a little
Oh Skippy, that's a little bit harsh don't you think? I've seen plenty of local culture...are you sure you've been looking for it in the right places? Where have you checked?
I'm having a hard time voting
I'm having a hard time voting on this. Because, as I see it, our culture here is based on many cultures. This is no offense to Caymanians. It is actually a compliment as they have accepted, or try to accept so many people from different cultures. In a way we should all be appreciative. Everyone on Cayman should be proud of the fact that our culture is so diversified and we're not up in arms all the time.
We are not like anyone else. We are who we are islanders.
Definitely, North America The
Definitely, North America
The technology, the gadgets, the movies we like, the fast foods here, the cars we drive, even the way of talking and our love to travel to Miami, New York, and places up North all the time
Unfortunately, America and Holywood is negatively influencing our own young people whilst the parents are too busy to mutually communicate with them.
Is "American cultural
Is "American cultural influence" an oxymoron?
It would seem Caymans
It would seem Caymans contribution to its Culture is something that they are afraid to show but is very apparent in how the Government runs things and how the indigenous/first comers treat everyone including themselves. They should just get over the Pirate phobia and use it to their advantage! I vote Pirates of the Carribean!
I'm British and came here for
I'm British and came here for a taste of the Caribbean. What I'm getting is the taste of America... and its not a nice taste for the Caribbean in my view.
Cayman is a Caribbean country which has almost (but not quite) lost its complete identity to the United States.
Too bad about your taste. If
Too bad about your taste.
If you came to Cayman from the UK without thinking first you need to re-evaluate your decision.
You want the real Caribe....ok...then head off to Kingston or Greneda or even the USVI. Poverty, crime, rampant prostitution, litter.racism.
Cayman is the most prosperous and developed country in the Caribe because of its proximity and close association with the USA. Not Cuba, not Jamaica, etc. If you need a brain scan soon why not go to Barbados.
The anti US sentiment of some Brits always amazes me. You are very lucky your children are not speaking German.
Intresting that the OP says
Intresting that the OP says he/she came to Cayman for a taste of the Caribbean, I would assume the expectation of what the "Caribbean" is like was based off of a Google search, "How Stella got her Groove back" or someone who has been to the Caribbean discribed it... In any of these cases you obviously don't get a real indication of what the Caribbean is. As America has influnced the flavor of Cayman, so has the UK, Canada, Australia... We are a true International melting pot, we are greatly influenced by all westernized society, of which last time I checked the good old UK is a part of. I also assume you are a expat working here, enjoying the financial side of this let down of a Caribbean country, and if so I also assume you will not be looking to renew your work permit, as this is such a foul tasting sun-drenched, gold mine of a island. let me know when you are leaving, I will bring a westernized rum cake and wave good bye from the observation deck of our Miami style airport.
WOW! As the "OP" it is
WOW! As the "OP" it is interesting to note how inaccurately my post has been (mis)interpeted by many, expecially you Kent.
Wrong. My experience came from growing in a Caribbean community in England and from my numerous visits to other Caribbean countries, many of which have also adopted a US/UK influence, but not, in my opinion, quite to the extent Cayman has. Yes I work here, but not on any big salary. I live in a small wooden house, I travel by public transport, and I only wish I earned enough money after rent to be able to send some home to my (not-very-wealthy) family. I am not one of your stereotypical Brits at all. But hey, you assume (wrongly) that I "obviously don't get a real indication of what the Caribbean is" because according to you my only experience is from a google search or a book?
Contrary to what seems to be your view, I actually adore Cayman; its people, and its history. My point was that on arriving here, I was struck by how Americanised the place was, particularly in the bars and commercial areas along the SMB stretch and I found this very saddening when comparing to my experiences in Jamaica, Bahamas, BVI, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada, Trinidad, etc. where the "Caribbean experience" I was hoping for is still very much alive, mixed with American and British flavours as opposed to almost drowned out by American influence as I found here. I would love to sit in a bar on SMB and listen to reggae music not rock; I would love to be served by a Caymanian not an American, and I would love to see more Caymanian dishes on the menus, not American... are you starting to get my drift yet?
Actually I am looking to renew my permit, sorry to disappoint you. I never cast any aspersions on Cayman at all in my opening post, I merely cast my vote and stated my view as I saw it. You chose to try and turn it into something negative. You can keep your Rum Cake (I don't eat it) and wave at an empty plane - I aint goin nowhere soon.
Is there any wonder there can be so much animosity here on CNS, when posters such as yourself take every opportunity to twist someones innocent words and turn them into something more sinister? Good luck to you if that is your outlook on life.
I have to assume that you
I have to assume that you did'nt hang-out at the Beach Club, where there was plenty of reggae, which was a landmark and was recently demolished for more condos.
I agree though something is wrong. And we Caymanians have allowed it to happen and also allow super rich people to buy up our land in droves such as one person in particular, no name called.
Your post was accurate, too
Your post was accurate, too bad others looked at it as if it were an insult. The poll asked which region has the most influence, and yes North America does. It's not like it is not obvious to everyone.
Thank you
Thank you
I've edited this just a bit
I've edited this just a bit Cayman is the most prosperous and developed country in the Caribe because of its offshore financial services, close association with the USA and many of it's hedge funds and multinational corporations.
And if we had oil, natural gas, banana plantations, or opium poppies there would be U.S. troops on our streets.
Cultural Influence
I agree somewhat with the above poster but most likely not because of his reasons which I will not comment on. But I leave you with this thought: "Cayman isn't a Caribbean island but rather an island in the Caribbean Sea."
i.e. we are special and
i.e. we are special and different and unless you understand our complex culture and detailed history you will never understand.
Golly! That's original.
Golly! That's original.
Culture is something that may
Culture is something that may change over time.
Because of the rapid growth in Cayman a lot of our young people have little to no experience of where we came from. Part of my growing up years was downtown and my old home is a bank. The change has been so dramatic and so fast the country and the concept of culture has difficulty keeping up.
Another thing is the American influence. Many will tell you Cayman is a little America and it is not far from the truth. Do we have a different culture yes but it is weak.
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