Everyday Life In Guyana

The native way of life places a high value on hospitality, so inviting a stranger or a traveler to visit is a very regular occurrence. It is important to keep in mind that Guyana is a very impoverished country, despite the fact that its small size and relatively high GDP per capita (US$4700) place it among the region's developed nations; nevertheless, Guyana's massive foreign debt has nearly entirely "eaten away" this advantage. The typical Guyanese, including women, spends a significant amount of time at work, similar to the majority of people of nearby Latin American nations. Most of the time, all year long, rural residents, especially children, are busy getting their daily bread. The employees of mining enterprises and the enormous cattle ranches of the South stand out, yet their level of living is also relatively low by international standards.

Many Guyanese also work abroad in addition to farming, commerce, mining, and fishing at home. The government makes significant investments in civil employees, teachers, and financial services in an effort to sustain employment and income levels, but the country's glaring shortage of skilled workers frequently undermines all of this effort. Small gifts for family members, mementos, or food would thus not seem out of place at all when visiting local houses. The only aspect of such presents that needs special consideration is how they are presented; under no circumstances should they appear to be a handout or an admission of homelessness. Such gifts should be presented as your own contribution to the evening or ceremony and no more. The social status of the family, as in many other countries in the region, has a special meaning here and naturally, depends on the level of wealth.