Dear Editor,

I spent some time recently along the beautiful north coast and noticed some souvenirs being sold in stores, which not only looked tacky but out of place and did nothing to enhance our brand.

Specifically, wooden can openers in the shape of a large male sex organ (black in colour) and stuffed monkey dolls, black and brown, dressed in Jamaican colours.

I am not sure if either of these are ‘best sellers’, but I wondered how people would react if the female sex organ was also used for a Jamaican souvenir. Somehow I think there would be an uproar.

Is it necessary to stoop to this level to promote Jamaica? Monkeys are not indigenous to Jamaica and some might find these ‘Jamaican’ dolls racially offensive.

I urge the makers of both souvenirs, to become more creative, sensitive and thoughtful when designing souvenir products.

If I operated one of these stores I would reject some of these items, we must encourage higher standards and quality, not everything is funny or passable as a “souvenir”.

P Chin