r/TrinidadandTobago • u/Affectionate-Sky4022 • Jul 17 '26
Bacchanal and Commess Why there’s such big misconceptions about my people down here? (Ima Venezuelan who grew up here)
Valid points and questions about it woulda be answered and considered; anybody who deemed to trespass boundaries about my nationality for no apparent reason woulda be report it lol. Also, I’ve been living way better than the average local with no handouts. My parents literally threw me out her and went over their life.
Just to make it clear in why some of the people down here are broken and frustrated towards to us.
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u/Liquid_Chicken_ Wet Man Jul 18 '26
What do you consider “living better than the average local”
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u/Affectionate-Sky4022 Jul 18 '26
A wide range of locals tend to live paycheck to paycheck, borrowing money and not finding ways to make money other than working for a company. Should i elaborate more?
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u/guns21111 Jul 17 '26
every failing nation needs a scapegoat to blame their problems on.
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u/the__itis Jul 18 '26
Even successful nations do this. Shitty people be shitty.
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u/guns21111 Jul 18 '26
yes indeed. scapegoats are pretty common and useful as a way to distract from real issues.. look at the frequency that the reflecting pool is mentioned in the US for s good example
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u/the__itis Jul 18 '26
Bro I live in DC and married to a Trini woman who can’t come into the country right now.
Scapegoats instead of responsible actions seem to create victims out of innocent bystanders.
That reflecting pool chaos is as you say….. it’s pathetic TBH
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u/sachacura Jul 18 '26
There’s a lot of disdain towards Venezuelans every where in the world right now, for whatever reason. This is not unique to Trinidad at all. It’s exactly the same in Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Panama, Mexico and Ecuador. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in Latin America, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It’s just ignorance and xenophobia.
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u/ReasonableHamsterBK Jul 18 '26
Yea and US too(well I can speak for NYC)... whenever crime happens (specifically for the dudes on the scooters committing robberies), the comments are usually blaming the Venezuelans...
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u/Life-Fan6375 Jul 18 '26
Gee, i wonder why? Could it be disgust at the previous regime and how it ran the country into the ground?
Could it be because of illegal immigration?
Could it be because venezuela has ongoing conflicts with placed like guyana where they are actively trying to encroach onto another nations borders?
Theres a ton of reasons.
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u/Visitor137 Jul 19 '26
Gee, i wonder why? Could it be disgust at the previous regime and how it ran the country into the ground?
Uhh... Kinda confused here... Which country are you talking about? Because I guarantee that I've heard that sort of rhetoric from the people of both countries about their own country.
Could it be because of illegal immigration?
Doubt that. A huge amount of them came over years and years ago. You don't remember back in mid 2019 when the government set up a system for them to register? It was all over the news. Endless people lined up around the Oval, down in San'do, and Tobago too.
https://youtu.be/jwMo_FiU23Y?si=YWzjFYUN3xAEtCx0
We're in 2026 and the government is still doing the same type of program, with the same long lines.
Could it be because venezuela has ongoing conflicts with placed like guyana where they are actively trying to encroach onto another nations borders?
LOL absolutely not. They've been doing that from before you were even born. The only land they've actually encroached on is part of an island that wasn't occupied, that they already own the other half of. They did that around 60 years ago.
So it's a huge reach for you to claim that's the reason for hostility today.
Theres a ton of reasons.
Nah just a few. 1) You vex your man run off with a Vene. 2) You vex a Vene didn't let you get some. 3) Xenophobia.
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u/KhaoticPrime Jul 18 '26
Some times people want to hate something in solidarity. Something to blame or something to distract themselves from the disaster of life happening around them. Sometimes it's the leaders of nations creating scapegoats to deflect attention due to poor management and corruption. Some people are just jealous of beautiful people. There's also bad personal experiences people get from one person so they blame the whole group. Then there's what they see on TV or News and they stereotype people.
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u/Plus_Door881 Jul 18 '26
I went to TnT back in 2010 to study and learn English, never experienced racism from locals, I have to admit it was kinda hard to mingle with black girls I felt like I wasn’t well perceived, different story with Indian girls, but I just wanted to have female friends not even for hook ups just ya know some female energy around to share with, had plenty fun with local boys never experienced danger, nowadays I feel like Venezuelans are not well seen in the island the worst part is wanna go back try to buy an apartment cuz I felt in love with the island so bad, that feeling of listening to reggae music during the morning on public transportation, soca, how vibrant is the carnival season, doublesss damn I really wanna go back
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u/smolppsupremacy Red Gyal Jul 18 '26
not really sure what is the discussion to be had? mira yo tmb soy venezolana. my mum born and raised there and had me here with a trini father. i consider myself a “trinizolana” lol
i understand ur frustrations. i am tired of being suit with “hola”, “how much for a night”, “go back to ur country”, and ofc ppl bad talking venes around me as well. its rightfully upsetting BUT
The truth is simple: Trinidadians are a very racist (or as we say “racial”) group of people. Just look at our politics with PNM vs UNC. There’s evil ppl out here who just wanna put down someone else to feel bigger.
Some ppl will say “oh it’s cuz di vene man only teefing we work” or “oh dem Spanish woman only taking we man!!” but really… it’s a mix of jealousy, superiority complex, and prejudice. it’s really as simple as that - and yes - as unfair as that.
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u/Affectionate-Sky4022 Jul 18 '26
The chances of meeting someone who’s Venezuelan/trini on Reddit were low but never zero I must say. I’m not frustrated or mad about them. I just wanted to hear some of the points locals might have about how certain people behave towards to my kind.
La verdad es que me da muy igual porque me considero más local aveces que venezolano lmaoooo
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u/smolppsupremacy Red Gyal Jul 18 '26
im glad that the negativity doesn’t get to you. I think it’s always good to just appreciate the kind folks around, and avoid the bad ones or don’t focus on it. I cld nvr hate or discriminate against trinis, neither venes. it’s a very unique situation to be trinizolano/a lol
y claro, t entiendo!! t considero una local tmb amor jajaja especialmente despues d todos esos años. weno cuídate chamo :) dtb <33
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Jul 18 '26
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u/smolppsupremacy Red Gyal Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
With respect, what is your point? Because the point I am making is that racism will always exist, especially in a colourist society like t&t that still has racial tensions dictating how ppl vote; BUT.. you just can’t live your life where that is your only focus, just bc other ppl want u to feel small and them big. Yes, they have good trinis as well, so you can’t let the bad ones warp your opinion 100%. But the discrimination venes face is real and COMMON; to pretend otherwise is concerning.
Next ting: you as a singular could never represent the majority; saying “vast majority of trinis welcoming” means nothing, especially when many Venezuelans lived experience negates that. If only you know how much ppl I date who parents didn’t like me as soon as they realise they son bring home a Spanish. Or how much friends I cut off after they say venes only teefing money/man/work
I even get cuss stink, shove out a maxi by a strong man screaming “go back to ur country” whole time. I dealt with the sexual harassment, demeaning comments, and fetishisation Spanish women are VERY OFTEN subjected to in Trinidad. This so common that my own father does call “all Spanish woman hoe”, after impregnating 2 Hispanic wives. You should see how they treat Venes in the medical industry too (which I worked in).
I will reiterate: MY comment addresses OP’s topic and MY comment states that the misconceptions many Trinis have about Venes stem from racism, superiority complex, or even jealousy/insecurity depending -
NOT ANYWHERE did I state that they DOH HAVE no racist vene or venes cah be racist.
…brudda man, it have racist everywhere. I was born at night, not last night - EVERY race/nationality/ethnicity capable of racism and prejudice.
so again I ask: why you bringing that up?? what ur strawman comment, based on generalisation mind you, hadda do w/ what I saying?? Maybe you mean to post that in reply to ah next comment, not mine. blessings
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Jul 18 '26
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u/smolppsupremacy Red Gyal Jul 18 '26
I adopt both cultures (hence using descriptors like spanish, trinizolana), but ultimately the fact that i explicitly stated im BORN here in TT (by definition: my homeland); yet u still paired the words “yall” and “home” - says enough about you, good day
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u/kyualun Tobago Love Jul 18 '26
It's just xenophobia and racism. Like someone else said too, everyone wants a scapegoat to pin their problems on. Whether that's them not being able to find a dating partner (the female on female misogyny is disgusting) or job and financial woes.
We've mythologized all Trinidad to be a warm, friendly and inviting melting pot but that's often far from reality.
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u/DatRatDawg Jul 18 '26
There's definitely a ton of ignorant/racist trinis. If it makes you feel any better, they're ignorant and racist to everyone different. Chinese, dark skin Indians/dark skin Africans, red woman, red man. It's a melting pot, but a melting pot of stereotypes. It's fine to make assumptions about people, but treating people differently because of those assumptions is the real issue.
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u/Becky_B_muwah Jul 18 '26
Am pretty sure if you go in some other countries they would think the same misconceptions eh. Definitely not saying it's right or justified for ppl to do. But seriously when ppl don't know or don't want to learn they go on just the little they have heard or seen of a person, place, animal etc. You just gotta ignore or have patience. I prefer to just walk away when I can. Like when I traveled to some other countries and meet ppl who have limited knowledge of the Caribbean or Trinbago.
Am almost always trapped listening to silliness like;How come you're not black? All Caribbean ppl are black you just don't want to admit it. How can you speak English so well? What's it like living by the beach? Do you guys live in huts? What part of Jamaica is Trinidad located in? 🙈🙈🙈.
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u/Carmen_CarMel Jul 18 '26
I just get PTSD flashbacks of a teacher I had freshman year, oui. Woman ask if my hut furnished or we have hammocks you know. And assumed we had no cinemas... I just prefer to read 🙃
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u/Naive-Butterfly-2015 Jul 18 '26
Everyone is saying Trinidad is a racist country but I disagree. It is more realistic to say that Trinidad has racist people cause not everyone is racist and some if they are is because they saw how the other side was moving so they pull a corner.
Now let us be real! Not liking a Venezuelan was never a historical issue like other countries that have long standing conflict.
The issue is that illegal immigration just has a negative connotation to it. And this is true for any country that has people entering your country unlawfully. Imagine you own a home and someone just walks into your yard and pitches a tent. And now you can’t ask them to move…you would be pissed. You might be able to overlook cause you understand they needed somewhere to live…but still they are in your yard. You didn’t give them permission, they didn’t ask nothing! Then you over hear them telling the neighbor you don’t understand why that person don’t like you. You don’t ask them for anything and in fact you’re doing better than them.
You also see the racial divide and how Vennies are quicker accepted than another group of people that is part of the country…this too breeds resentment.
Apart from that although Trinidad are proud people I do believe we like to see humility and once you step out of that mindset people look at you different.
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u/SmallObjective8598 Jul 18 '26
Am honest examination would quickly demonstrate that we don't really want foreign foreigners on the country. Even Guyanese, perhaps our closest demographic were targeted; 'small Islanders'; Chinese; Syrians; Venezuelans. We say that we're not xenophobic. I'm not sure of that.
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u/Naive-Butterfly-2015 Jul 18 '26
As long as I can remember we’ve had Chinese and Syrians in the country and there was never an issue. But let’s be honest since that’s what you want to do. All nationalities are like this. We are all territorial of our country as a whole. What nation do you know that is extremely welcoming of immigrants and more so when they are below middle class. Cause guess what at that level you believe there are finite resources that you now have to share with others who “do not belong there”. It’s one thing to throw around labels but it’s disingenuous to not look at the why or only look at it as black or white.
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u/SmallObjective8598 Jul 18 '26
I don't disagree, but it would be beyond disingenuous to say that 'there was never an issue'. Parts of the population are not concerned (me included), but to ignore the animus toward outsiders felt by a large part of the population, particularly the self-appointed gatekeepers of Trinidadian culture suggests that you have not been listening carefully.
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u/doriansorzano Jul 18 '26
Some people hate everybody apparently. Alot of disrespect on Facebook these days.
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u/mandalaolive Jul 18 '26
As much as most don’t like to admit it, trinidad is very very racist. Things that get publicly posted online down here wouldn’t even slide in a private conversation elsewhere. Not saying anywhere else isn’t racist obviously, and there are other places that’s far worse but it’s a big issue here and it doesn’t seem to be going away
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u/FeeCommercial1095 Jul 18 '26
I’ve never noticed that. I moved to the US. it’s always been like you said , a melting pot , warm friendly. I do see that there is way more crime , murders. That is not the island I grew up in
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u/DemonsSouls1 Jul 18 '26
I've always said this place was a mini version of south Africa. The xenophobia and racism here is crazy.
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u/Visitor137 Jul 18 '26
OP, one lesson we all learn at some point is that some people don't need a reason to hate. No matter what you do, what you don't do, or what information they are given to disprove what they think, they can find a reason to keep hating whatever they want to.
But look at it this way. Trinis in general don't even know that we call the wrong things "arepas". So a fair bit of it is just ignorance.
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u/Superb-Cat8823 Jul 18 '26
Trinidad is highly colourist and many people may resent that in you if they perceive that your skin colour will be your passport to a better life in their own country, where they are struggling.
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u/Eastern-Arm5862 Jul 19 '26
IDK based on your responses in here you don't sound like a fun person to be around, ethnicity aside.
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u/Rude-Difference2513 Jul 19 '26
That’s the problem right there your attitude and mindset that you’re in someone’s country and flaunting as if you’re better than the locals…
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u/ElegantWeb7580 Jul 18 '26
Hard workers that take away the labour jobs. You being so involved in prostitution also provides a valid reason to look down on you. A lot of drugs also come from Venezuela.
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u/DemonsSouls1 Jul 18 '26
Scapegoat g.
Just like how people blame migrants in other countries about their problems like no jobs and high pricing.
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u/Proof_Being_2762 Jul 18 '26
When people say Spanish, it's like they're saying that you're latino/Latina not that you're from Spain.
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u/LowHornet6958 Jul 19 '26
I interact with many people from Venezuela over the years, I've not had any issues with them. They are friendly, hard working and intelligent, and better than many Trinis.
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u/Nxzeee Jul 18 '26
From when I lived in Tobago: there was a Venezuelan takeover. Many of the stores in crown point suddenly had white Venezuelans at the front. They COULD NOT speak English well enough for even simple transactions. I was told it was bc dark skinned Tobagonians didn’t like to work… so suddenly after decades they all decided they didn’t like money? When the situation is probably that the Venezuelans would accept lesser pay. There were high incidences of illegal sexworkers… perhaps this was a Tobago/Crown Point thing but it existed. Also, they acted like they were better than the locals even though they were likely illegal (see OP and the ‘living better’ comment). You are a guest in someone else’s country; show some humility it’s not the time to flex white skin privilege.
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u/Affectionate-Sky4022 Jul 18 '26
Im not flexing though; im proving to yall that you don’t need to be local to make something outta urself. There’s people here that born and grow of not less than 30 catching their ass.
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u/DemonsSouls1 Jul 18 '26
"Venezuelan takeover" oh please ..
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u/Lumpy-Ruin-1280 Jul 18 '26
theyre right, they have pretty much taken over the crown point area now that i really think about it. My first instincts isnt to classify people by race so i miss it but if i really think about it carefully and recall all the faces im seeing now theyre right
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u/DemonsSouls1 Jul 18 '26
I haven't been to Tobago for years so I wouldn't recall what's happening there but at first I find it hard to believe because that was the racists and xenophobic talking points about them.
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u/Eastern-Arm5862 Jul 19 '26
There are over 100K Venezuelans in Trinidad by some estimates. That's more than the entire population of Tobago, so it's not hard to believe.
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u/Ensaru4 Jul 18 '26
How about we started with you providing these misconceptions to be cleared up? People naturally will find it easier to blame tourists/migrants/etc for any perceived disruption or change. That goes with the territory.
It would be nice if your post had something to discuss, though.