Are Jamaican Consumers Happy?

Recently The Gleaner revealed the results of a survey that proclaimed Mandeville as the happiest parish in Jamaica. Although touted as being happy because of its traditionally low crime rate and cool climate, the follow up interviews done by The Gleaner clearly showed that some people felt happy but did not attribute this solely to their parish but also to their determination to remain cheerful despite the challenges that are faced on a daily basis.

Are consumers there happy though with what is happening in our economy?
The answer to that question is a resounding,’No’. In fact, the people I spoke to who live in Mandeville say that whereas they are happy to some degree, petty crime especially praedial larceny and the high cost of living are still a great source of concern to everyone.

What about consumers in Kingston? Now I am no expert but it seems to me that happiness is an elusive quality that is experienced in varying degrees.
While standing in an interminable line at the bank, I struck up a conversation with a particularly affable young man. I asked him why he seemed so cheerful when all around him everyone wore a slightly worried look on their faces caused no doubt by their economic woes. He replied that it did not matter to him how hard things were as long as he could, ‘find a food to eat’, if he was able to do that then he asserted he would be ‘alright’.

Two businessmen behind him chimed in to add that if the dollar continued its slide he would soon be singing a different song as everything would significantly be increased and soon ‘finding food’ would be a huge problem.

I think that though consumers are very concerned about the economic hardships affecting our country they still are displaying a positive outlook on the future. It is not a time for us to bury our heads in the sands and pretend that it is business as usual but it is also a good to learn from our neighbours in Mandeville and be positive as we continue to make sound financial decisions.

So what’s your take on the issue? Let me hear from you!

Tags: consumer, economy, exchange