Dressing Etiquette
Jamaica may be quite a contradictory place; while it's acceptable to show up at a sound-system party in just a few strips of clothing, wearing a bikini anyplace else outside the beach is likely to offend people. Furthermore, because most locals take great care in their appearance, skulking around in a rumpled T-shirt stained with last night's jerk sauce is a surefire way to be ignored.
If you want to go partying, though, you should wear something smart, and men should wear long pants if they want to eat at the finer restaurants (jackets are required only at the most expensive places). While an open offer to bed within the first five minutes of meeting someone can be unsettling, at least you know where you stand. Jamaicans are refreshingly frank; your huge nose or bald head will be viewed as fair game for discussion.
At the same time, traditional manners are upheld here; failing to say "good morning" or "good afternoon" to a store employee before making a request is considered impolite while passing them on a rural street. In Jamaican society, the elderly are revered, and it's customary to address people who are significantly older than you by their last name. Children are taught to always show respect for their elders and to never argue.
It's nice to ask before taking someone's photograph (and don't be surprised if they ask for a little money if they say yes), but keep in mind that many locals are becoming a little tired of playing the role of the "Jamaican Rasta" or "market lady" in the holiday photos of a thousand visitors.
