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Culture & Identity of St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Introduction

Life in St. Vincent & the Grenadines is fairly diverse, but the consistent aspect of life throughout the country seems to be that family, friends, and socialization are what make life worth living. The people are relaxed and enjoy the stereotypical Caribbean lifestyle, but in order to enjoy this life work is needed.

About half the people live in more rural areas and for many of these people, work is found in either agriculture or the services sector, in particular services catering to tourists, who generally prefer a private and secluded beach than the city. For all these people the daily and weekly routine seems to be a bit off as hours can vary based on the seasons and weather.

The other half of the population lives in urban areas, where nearly all jobs are in the industrial and services sectors. For these people life generally has a more regular schedule. Life in larger towns also means people live closer and public transportation can get a person to nearly any needed amenity within minutes.

Despite the more active life in cities, the entertainment options here, and throughout the islands is limited. The most active bars, restaurants, and clubs seem to be catered to tourists and sit near resorts. Most of the locals would rather spend free time with family and friends, and many others may not be able to afford going out on a regular basis. Socialization is important to the people, but it is often times done at shops, markets, and perhaps even churches, not regularly at bars or dance clubs.

Identity

The people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines generally identify as citizens of their country or as Vincentians (which some would argue only refers to the people of St. Vincent). This seemingly nationalistic identity is defined by more than just citizenship, it is also defined by a complex past and a vibrant present. This mix of past and present create an identity that includes the mix of ethnicities that make up the people as well as the local foods, music, festivals, and hospitality of today, all of which reflect this past. Perhaps the most important aspects of being Vincentian is the way of life and attitude of the people: it is defined by being social, out-going, and friendly as family and friends come well before money, work, or other materialistic concepts.

This page was last updated: December, 2013