Jamaicans are known by Jamaicans to be an ignorant lot. Don’t be a foreigner and call us that though!

Never far from an argument and always irritated by the simplest of situations, ‘hot-headed’ decorum and ‘colourful’ language is very common. Such behaviour has become the basis of memes and comedic skits all over the world, however, here are five reasons why arguing with a Jamaican may not be so funny.

1.      Expletives, expletives, expletives. There is no other specie of the human being that can articulately put together a series of expletives like the Jamaican. Whenever a Jamaican gets angry, you will most definitely be berated with a catalogue of words that your mother warned you not to say when you were young. And if you think there are only a few set of words that can be used then think again, the Jamaican man/woman is known to be very creative in developing new ones.

2.      Another reason why you shouldn’t argue with a Jamaican is that you will never win. It simply makes no sense you try to convince us that we’re right because even if it is blatantly obvious that you are, there is no way we will swallow our pride and admit that we’re wrong. It becomes frustrating, I know, and even when you think you might just be getting somewhere, our stubbornness refuses to yield.

3.      What’s the point of having an argument if your view won’t be heard? It’s kind of impossible to argue with someone who keeps speaking above you. And that’s what Jamaicans do…they shout, really loud. Though it is natural for one to instinctively raise their voice when upset, we Jamaicans take it to another level. So if you are someone who has a very tall shame tree it should probably be in your best interest not to argue with us.

4.      If your mother unfortunately passed away then this is perhaps another reason why you should refrain from arguing with a Jamaican. I think you know where I’m going with this one. Of all the disrespectful comments a Jamaican is known to express, this by far is the most despicable. Though not all of us participate in such vulgar utterances, you never know when you will be hit with that infamous three-word phrase.

5.      Lastly and most importantly, once you argue with a Jamaican, they will never forget. It could be 20 years later, we will make sure you remember that time you wronged us and it would probably lead to another argument. What is unique about us though, is the remarkable trait we possess to forgive. Though we definitely won’t forget, there’s a good chance that five minutes after a heated argument we would laugh with you and move on and have a drink or two together.

Disclaimer: This is not all Jamaicans, obviously.