Caymanian Mannerisms: Where Little Customs Add to our Island’s Charm

by Anne Evans

It doesn’t take long to begin to pick up on behaviors or actions that are unique to a place or culture to which you are previously unfamiliar. As Americans, we had never visited the Cayman Islands before we moved here. We didn’t know exactly what to expect, but everything has (mostly) been a happy adventure. (How can it not been when you’re living on a Caribbean island?)

Here are some of the delightful habits of the locals I discovered upon transitioning to The Cayman Islands. And both Rick and I have endeavored to adopt them.

Handling Cash

When change is made, bills are always exchanged neatly stacked with the Monarch’s face up, all oriented same direction top to bottom, and the smallest denomination on top. I have yet to receive a crumpled bill. (God Bless the Queen). Bills with Queen Elizabeth II are still the main Cayman dollars you see. But in February of 2023, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority began working on new banknotes and coins featuring a portrait of King Charles III.

Addressing Others

Adults are addressed as “Miss or Mr. (First Name)” – and that includes Medical Doctors, i.e., “Dr. (First Name).” As a former veterinarian, if I was practicing on Grand Cayman Island, I would be called Dr. Anne. It takes some getting used to but is representative of the pervasive Cayman Kindness everyone feels towards each other. As residents, we’re part of the Grand Cayman family, and I’ve come to find the use of everyone’s first name after “Miss” or “Mr.” or “Dr.” as a charming custom.

Horn Honking

There is a language of horn honking. In my experience, in the US, there is just one style of honking and just one way to interpret it — i.e., the single note blare that can only be translated as an expression of hostility. Perhaps it’s because Americans seem to always be in a hurry. Patience on Grand Cayman, however, is just a necessary way of life – with traffic in-season, with getting this done on “island time,” etc.

On Grand Cayman, there is just one style of horn honking and that style is a double note — “Toot-Toot” with multiple meanings, i.e., “Hello!” or “Go ahead, you have my permission take the right of way” or “Be careful, you may be making a driving error.” The everyday kindness you see here just adds to the wonderful feeling of living on Grand Cayman.

Greetings

For Those You Don’t Know

Caymanians greet strangers with direct eye contact, smiles, and verbal acknowledgement. What a difference from the U.S.! When I first moved to the island and would go for my morning run, I was initially surprised and somewhat shy when people would acknowledge me. I just wasn’t used to it.

Where an American’s typical morning greeting (should you get one) is “Good Morning” or “’Morning”, the Caymanian greeting is an energetically jovial “’Morning! Morning!!”

For Those You Do Know

Acquaintances in many cultures (to my knowledge) greet each other with “How are you?” In the US, most of the time the response is a somewhat rote “good,” and we tend to respond to the question without thinking.

The Caymanian response is a resounding expression of gratitude, such as noting the beauty of the day, speaking of being blessed with family and friends, giving thanks for good health, or a simple “Life is good.” Of course, we are living on an island!

Thankfully, it does not take long to assimilate the mannerisms of those that surround you, and for these two expats, the adventure on this British Overseas Territory has been fun.

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