Mugged by Jenny

On Union Island, there's a great collection of produce stands (see pic below), and they are all right beside each other. Each is run by a woman: there's one Jenny, and a slew of vendors named Kathy.

Here's what I learned about the rules of market economics, a la Caribbean. Once you get within earshot of the stands, preliminary marketing tactics begin ("oh, you're looking for me, love" … Yes, I know, sounds like I could be at a brothel, but I guess guerrilla marketing works just as well for veggies as it does for other things.).

I heard these sirens of produce and, as I got close, Jenny (the woman in the pic) came over and put her arm around me, laughing, chatting about her melons or whatever, turning me so my back was facing her nearest Kathy competitor. Nice move, Jen.

But, I discovered a rule they have. Once you're in someone's clutches, the other vendors give way, retreating to their dens of fruity bags and veg. Jen had me, so Kathy gave way, until Jen made a fatal error, and released her catch to go fetch something from her stand.

At that moment, by instinct, Kathy struck! Pouncing on me with a brochure of Union Island that had her picture in it, she had played the trump card for U.S. tourists — a visual distraction designed to shut off the thinking portion of the A.D.D. American brain.

Success! With me mesmerized by her lure, she herded me to her stand to sample her tomatoes, fruit smoothies (which were awesome), some limes, and another avocado. The story ends happily for Jen, though, as we purchased ice and her homemade papaya/chili marinade.