Dealing with Joe Public has always been part of my day but never quite as it is here. Maybe it's the American mentality that makes it so much more of a challenge, I'm not overly sure.
I've been asked some seriously odd questions, the most recent was the guy who came really really close, totally invaded my personal space and asked in a quite demanding tone wether I knew whether they burned propane at the power station. I mean, come on, I'm a scuba instructor, how the hell would I know??
Today I was guiding on the boat, we left the jetty and keeping land on the left we travelled around 45 minutes around the island to an area known as North West Point. At no time did we lose sight of land. I was then asked if we were on the same island.
I've been asked how long the 3 day scuba course lasts as well.
Our yankee friends here at Beaches don't believe that getting your attention should come prior to asking you questions, they just fire them at you as you walk past, then take mild offence when you don't answer, which is why I frequently don't. I have a name, it's written on my work shirt, alternatively a good old fashioned 'excuse me' would also work just as well. Also, 'what' is not acceptable in place of 'pardon', it's a horrible habit they have, makes me physically shudder and I've frequently corrected teenagers who 'what' me, can't tolerate it. Revolting behaviour.
So apparently I've got a reputation of being a lady 'not to be messed with', but as our customers are generally bad divers (either rusty or just plain old badly trained) my dive briefings are a series of what they are and aren't allowed to do, in a stern and very British accent. Generally works.
Anyway, enough for now.........
