I recently received my first speeding ticket EVER in my 15 years of driving. Now let me start by stating that speeding is not acceptable barring a life or death emergency. I do not condone it at all. So why was I caught going at 77 mph in a 60 mph zone? Well, first off I was driving my wife’s Toyota and there did seem to be a problem with my accelerator and also I really wasn’t aware that the speed limit in the area that I was driving was 60 mph. I also suffer from lead foot, a serious condition diagnosed several years ago by a family member and I have subsequently received confirmation of this condition through second, third and fourth opinions from outside sources (Trinidadians no less). Excuses, excuses, excuses. None of which flies here in the United States. The reality is, I do not always practice what I preach and the fact is I have often driven over the speed limit throughout the course of my driving life in Trinidad. Not dangerously over the limit, as I try to keep within 10 mph of the speed limit on major highways, but over nonetheless. Yes I’ve been told that I have a lead foot, but the fact of the matter is, I have never been too concerned about being pulled over for speeding in Trinidad. I have been conditioned to speed. How is that possible? Well ask any murderer, bandit or politician in Trinidad. Accountability is not a top priority in my lovely island. In a land where the detection rate for serious crimes is less than 30% and the conviction rate even lower, and public officials have a ‘Get out of Jail free’ pass, speeding is treated as a laughable offense. Not here in the US though. The law is serious business and it is appreciated here that there are no such things as small crimes. You break the law, consequences swiftly follow. So I am now $133 US dollars poorer and it’s possible my insurance rates will be increased, so will I be speeding again? Nope, I’ll just have to leave earlier for where I need to be, which brings me to my second observation.
Time and efficiency: How come it took me less than 3 months to get a US Green Card but it’s taking me 10 months to get a new Trinidad and Tobago passport? It is certainly not a myth. There does exist something called “Caribbean Time”, where everything takes place about an hour after the scheduled time. Unfortunately, in a country such as the USA where time is money and showing up 20 minutes late for an appointment can result in a whopping bill, it seems that it would be wise for those who operate on CST (Caribbean Specific Time) to turn their watches forward an hour. People here are very conscientious as it pertains to their time, as their days are so cluttered with lists of things to do and deals to make and deadlines to meet, because as I said time is money. It almost seems like the quality and moments of their lives are measured in seconds and minutes. Not so in Trinidad. A country where people would stand in a line for an hour for a meal, grumble at how long it’s taking to be served but still not move on, return late to work, complain even more about the bad service, proceed to then have their lunch after their lunch hour is up, and return one week later to said eating establishment to continue this dance. A country where you could take an entire day or more to renew a license or where you have to wait months to get an appointment to get a passport. All the respective partners are aware that the moves are somewhat off, but Trinis love to dance and the rhythm of inefficiency is akin to a road march tune that we claim to hate, but find ourselves wining to nonetheless. To say that it’s a little different here in the US is an understatement, as waiting 20 minutes or more for a meal could result in loss of business forever, which leads me to my third observation.
Service: The customer is ALWAYS right. I’ll get straight to the point here. In Trinidad, many business owners, government establishments and service providers are aware that we are a bunch of complainers, who would rather bump our gums than close our wallets. And with the exception of the some basic services, it is not like we don’t have options and alternatives, but the poor service is so endemic, sometimes it feels as if it’s a video game where businesses are competing to see who can frustrate and break down the main character by lunch time. Complaints fall on deaf ears and it seems that employees are trained how to look and act ignorant and insolent. Other topics covered in the employee training manual by the way: How never to return a phone call; How to deliver a good sound buff and How wearing a uniform outside of secondary school makes you the cat’s meow. Honestly, I love my country, but the thing I miss the least is how horrible the service can be at times. Very few businesses have evolved to the point where they recognize that their customers are their bread and butter and as such it is imperative that they I remember my first trip to the US several years ago when I bought a pair of shoes, went back to my residence and realized that there was a flaw and was told that I could return the shoes and get my money back. I remember feeling so embarrassed taking the shoes back, but I also remember the smile and courtesy that I received upon the return. I appreciate that people return telephone calls within the hour, if not before. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy dining out and being made to feel truly welcomed and appreciated and what of personal letters of apology in the mail. Jackpot. Particularly in these economic times, business owners are more than aware that their own survival depends to a great extent on their customers’ continued patronage and they go all out to ensure satisfaction guaranteed.
Food: The belly wants what it wants. By a smile or nod of approval, how many of you would drive three or more hours for your favourite food? If most of you are nodding and/or smiling, then I guess I am not an oddity. Many Trinidadians who migrate to the US tend to navigate towards the bigger cities or within close proximity to them for several reasons- surely better job opportunities play a big factor, but there is also the element of familiarity. Many bigger cities where Trinidadians congregate like New York, Toronto, Miami, DC and Atlanta have the familiarity factor- they possess a rich and diverse culture much like our own, there are several fellow Trinidadians and the all important deal breaker, access to Trinidad food. It is no doubt that one of the greatest blessings to come out of our diverse heritage is our array of delectable dishes. I for one have a particular penchant for all things curry. It is definitely a food that I can have everyday. So upon marrying an American and moving to Knoxville Tennessee, where to my knowledge, the number of Trinis (inclusive of the University campus) is one, I have been having a pretty bad curry tabanca. So imagine my delight when I found a restaurant that specializes in Trinidad foods…. in Atlanta, a good three hour drive away. The following day and three hours later my tabanca was cured as I sat eating a very delicious roti, with curry rolling down my wrist and arm. Now the roti was tremendously over-priced ($13 US) and I really could have only afforded to buy one given that I had also spent quite a bit on gas, but was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. There is a certain something that makes a trini dish special. I think it’s a unique combination of the spices and the care that goes into it. America is the land of fast food and it’s indicative of their fast culture. Everything needs to happen immediately if not sooner and no where is it more apparent than in their foods. Vacillating between cheap, grease filled, high sodium, 5-minute meals and bland and tasteless snacks (I still cannot eat the carrot sticks), their meals as do the meals of most cultures speak more to their way of life. When you eat well prepared, trini food, it’s more than just a warm meal you’re getting; you’re also receiving a warm message of “Hello, you are special”.
Health Care – POS General Hospital never looked so good. Probably the topic on everyone’s lips of late in the US is this whole issue of health care. It is amazing to me that some 30+ million persons in this country are without health care. Unfortunately the most vulnerable- the aged, children, minorities and illegal immigrants are the ones that are most affected by it. For many Trinidadians, the issue of accessible and affordable primary health care is not an issue given the fact that should one fall and break a leg or have any unfortunate accident, one can receive treatment in one of the nation’s hospitals for free. I was most amazed when a friend of mine recently reported to me that his son had to be taken to the hospital after suffering an asthma attack. He stayed there for a few hours and when he received the bill, the cost was a whopping US $3500. Luckily he had health insurance that covered most of that bill. Even more recently, my wife had an ultrasound that took all of 15 minutes- the bill US $2000. Capitalism at its best. Getting sick is obviously not an option here in the US without health insurance. My advice: if you do decide to move to the US, pack your Iodex, some wonder of the world bush, lots of Panadol and PRAY. Speaking of prayer!!!!
Individual Rights and Freedoms- Be careful who you say Merry Christmas to, you may offend someone. On a trip to a government office building during the Christmas season here in the US (I refuse to use Holidays), a comment was made by a then colleague of mine about a woman who had a picture of a nativity scene on her cubicle wall with some religious wording on it. His comment: “Now tell me what place does that have in an office? You are not supposed tobe parading around your religious beliefs in a place like this that represents people from so many backgrounds”. Perplexed and confused as I tried to think about which government office in Trinidad that didn’t have someone proudly displaying their religious affiliation, I asked him “what’s the problem? It’s her cubicle.” He looked at me and shook his head as if to say “You’re one of them aren’t you”. I do miss celebrating with my Hindu brothers and sisters at Divali time. I miss my Muslim neighbors. I miss my Christian and Atheist and Orisha amigos just the same and all their celebrations. Americans would be appalled to know that we call people “Chinee” and “Indian” and heaven forbid “Negro”. They would probably be aghast to see non Hindus dressed in Saris for Divali or non African’s dressed in regal garb for Emancipation Day celebrations. They’d probably be amazed that many of our religious groups have a holiday to commemorate their contribution to the country. Or maybe they’d be impressed. I have little patience with persons who speak about tolerance, as if it’s a burden to bear. Acceptance is the goal we should all strive .The fact of the matter is, until I see green blood pouring out of the veins of one of my fellow men, I shall make the assumption, that like me, he or she is human. And human beings are as diverse and different as can be which can make for some very interesting times and if we are open, to awesome learning experiences.
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