feel welcomed?

I just moved here. 3 weeks and 5 days.

I am living on STT

I have had no negative experiences so far. On occasion a local will stare at me with a blank expression as if I didnt just ask them a question.

But for the most part everyone is very friendly I work in a outdoor market and am the only white boy there. Everyone is very friendly they say 'Hey brotha. How you today?' and touch fists with me.

Havent gotten any bad looks or genstures or anything.

Very nice.

Ian

Most of being able to feel welcome will depend on your ability to adopt and respect the local customs, and extending the same warmth and good will that you hope to receive in return. We've lived ln STX for about nine months now, and couldn't be happier. Learning to say "Good morning/afternoon/night" (note: not "good evening" - that will peg you as a tourist every time) with a smile to everyone you pass, and adding "How are you today?" onto your greeting for those with whom you need to do business (be it a company president or a cashier at Plaza Extra), has always resulted in a smile and friendly greeting -- as well as a desire to be helpful -- in return.

We've practiced this custom since the first day we came here and I have never had a single rude encounter. We bought a home mid-island in a neighborhood that is primarlly populated by West Indians (we are caucasian) and couldn't have special ordered better neighbors -- friendly, helpful (our neightbor Dave saw my husband struggling with cutting down overgrown weeds one afternoon and came over with his industrial trimmer and helped my hubby clear our entire yard along the fence lines.

All of our neightbors make it a point to watch out for each other. When we came to our house the first few days we owned it, folks from three houses around us came over to inquire who we were because the knew the house had been empty since the previous owners left. Once we told them that we were the new owners, each one broke into a smile, welcomed us to the neighborhood, and asked if we needed any assistance. We moved here from Washington DC after living in the same small condo buiolding for for years, and I never met, let alone spoke to, the residents of two of the other three condos on our floor.

If you put out friendliness and respect, I guarantee you that will get it back in abundance. I don't think there are any nicer people in this world than Crucians (although St. Thomians and St.Johnians are right up there with them.).

Best,
HipCrip

(Back for her first post after a long hiatus. Hi Islander!)