Dear Editor,
Whilst purchasing tickets for the circus, I observed the ticket sellers having a hard time making change with Guyana’s currency, thus the line moved very slowly and many people vented their anger. Immediately, I wondered what sort of arrangements the authorities made with the circus, before they came. I also wondered why Guyanese were not employed to sell tickets at the circus site. I visited Gizmos and Gadgets, which was listed as a location where tickets would be available, on Friday and Saturday, and both times, I was informed that they had not received any tickets to sell. Is it that they don’t trust Guyanese?
Editor, similarly, when you visit various stores operated by foreigners, you would observe that they handle the cash themselves. Apart from that, their attitude towards shoppers, especially Guyanese, leaves much to be desired. Based on my experience dealing with them personally and also witnessing their attitude towards others, I would say they treat you as if you are begging to buy their inferior products. In addition, at some stores, the males could be seen walking around without shirts and smoking cigarettes in the store. They even spit about without regards to anyone!
Finally Editor, whenever a foreigner enters anywhere to shop, they are treated with more respect than Guyanese, regardless of the way they dress. Some even employ translators to deal with foreigners, especially the Cubans that come here to shop. Why are we being disrespected like that? With the promise of oil, no doubt many will rush here to seek financial benefit. Will we be forced to accept their attitudes toward us?
I am not satisfied to see the contempt with which Guyanese are being treated in their own country.
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
