avoiding FRENCH St. Maartens

[Kym Lain]

I am hopping mad and don't want to spend any of my U.S. money in any part of France. What are some good things to do on the Dutch side of the island. Good beaches or trips, that would not put money into the pockets of the French.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

What are some good things to do on the Dutch side of the island.

Eat a lot of chocolate-covered asparagus and then relieve yourself on the French side...

 

[Jobro2]

Count me in on where MY money gets spent (or Not!!)

 

[mcnuss]

French side of St. Martin is much nicer than Dutch side of St. Maarten. Dutch side was nothing but a bunch of duty free shops along a very ugly strip.

Question: What will you do if your server or headwaiters are French?

 

[Jobro2]

Good question, mcnuss!! We cruise this June, and should our servers or head waiter be French, we will tip them as we would tip a server of any other nationality...that being said, should we choose to go shopping off the ship, I believe we would choose not to spend our $ on the French side of St. Martin.....JMHO!!

 

[gassmandy]

The French side gets no money from us either!! I'll forfeit that lovely side and wait to spend it on the lovely Castaway Cay!!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Ignoring the politics (already addressed in the previous posts), but answering your question, I suggest Dawn Beach.

 

[nuke]

I don't normally reply to political threads but I just want to say that I find it sad that you will deny people their livelyhood because of something the leaders of their country does. Not spending money on the French side of St. Martin only hurts the shopowners and island people. Your few dollars are not going to make a statement to Paris.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Nuke - the following is a press statement issued April 3, 2003. I believe it concisely rebutts your argument.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center said today that US/French relations reached a new low with the publication of a poll in the influential French daily Le Monde which showed that 33% of those polled were hoping for an Iraqi victory over the American and British forces. The poll further showed that on the French Left, the percentage was 51% hoping for an Iraqi victory over the coalition forces. “This coupled with the desecration of an Allied cemetery there last week, and the continued attacks against the Jews of France makes it clear that France has lost its moral compass and can no longer distinguish between her NATO allies and Saddam’s terrorist Fedayeen and Republican Guard Units,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

“Whether a war is legitimate or not is one thing, but when one in three Frenchmen prefer the victory of a ruthless dictator and his tyrannical regime over the Allies that once risked their lives to liberate their countrymen, then it is evident that despite the passing of six decades the spirit of Vichy has returned to France,” said Hier. “US-French relations are now on a free-fall and to reverse course, President Chirac should spend as much time attempting to repair them as he has spent in trying to prevent the United States and Britain from toppling Saddam’s regime,” Hier concluded.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with a membership of over 400,000 families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe.

Just to add to my initial statement, if they can somehow make money off my poop, I'll keep THAT from them too!

 

[nuke]

Show me proof that the Islander's that live on the french side of St. Martin and make their living off of cruise ships feel this way and maybe you can sway me.

Boycotting is ridiculous to me.

 

[markey]

What about all the anti war protestors in the USA? Are you going to single them out and avoid anything that would put money in their pockets? Don't flog me, I am 100% behind this country, daughter is USMC. Just trying to make a point, it's hard to distinguish where the money is going. If there is no tax, don't remember, then the money might not be really going to someone who is opposed to the war.

 

[Kym Lain]

Yes, if I know a storeowner is not supporting our troops I will not spend my money there. I can go some place else. I can’t change the world with my dollar. But it is up to me to spend the money I have in a way that I feel is responsible and reflects my values. Each of you my do the same. To not take any stand is to allow an injustice to move forward and I believe is a slap in the face to all of the men who spend WW2 fighting to free a country that has never shown any gratitude.

 

[Michelle]

Okay folks, you can continue to debate this issue on the debate board if you'd like.