Culture Differences and Similarities Between the Guyanese & International Traveler – Pt. 1

As a seasoned traveler (though I am still waiting to get on a plane in 2025!), you know that different types of people touch the airport and have their travel differences based on their background, culture, and personal experiences. Even within the same country, a more exposed Guyanese would have a different understanding of a “typical” Guyanese traveler. However, nothing prepares you when you meet someone whose travel planning process, airport experience, and expectations are vastly different, like a typical Guyanese family vacation traveler and a busy American.

Setting the Scene

Picture this. Terminal 8 of the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York. It's a busy travel day with inbound, outbound, and connecting flights. Two gates next to each other – one to Connecticut and one to Houston. One wall to charge your phones. Two strangers meet. Meet John from Houston, Texas, and Sunil from Parika, Guyana.

• John: “Hi, I’m John. Nice to meet you.”
• Sunil: “Hi John. Sunil.”
• John: “Interesting name. Where are you from and where are you traveling?”
• Sunil: “John, let me tell you. I is from the best country there is. Guyana…I’m actually in transit at JFK. I going to see my sister who lives in Connecticut…What about you? Where ya from, John? Why you traveling today?”
• John: “Oh yeah. I’ve heard about Guyana. I’m actually going there in the next 5 months for a quick work trip. What an exciting time to be there…..I’m traveling back home to Houston from London. Went to a friend’s wedding there. Great time.”
• “I’m curious, Sunil. I heard there are some cultural differences, especially in relation to travel. Like with booking flights.”

Booking the Flight & Getting Through Immigration

• John: “I book online. It’s pretty simple once it is with one of my main airlines—American or United. I plug in my details, pay with my credit card, and check in 24 hours before the flight. I can either have the boarding pass on my phone or print it at home. Sometimes, I do kiosk check-in at the airport if I have a bag. Then I head to security, which can be a lot depending on the time of day.”
• Sunil: “This is what some “sophiscated” Guyanese does do. Most ah we does have our cousin in America book it online for us or use a travel agent and give her the money. I don’t have a card and I don’t always trust it. So they book and send me the details over Whatsapp.”
• “If we use an agent, they can check us in before, but we still have to go in the line at the airport to check in. Especially when you go to America or Canada because they have to check your visa…But they will pay for our baggage fee with their card there. Not all Guyanese have or carry a card with them.”
• “Wait, you don’t do immigration John.”
• John: “Well our immigration leaving the US is done by just giving over your passport before you go into the security line. They scan it and give it back to you. So it’s kinda immigration and security together.”
• Sunil: “Oh. Not Timerhi (Cheddi Jagan International Airport). You have to fill in an immigration form, which I hear they want to change soon (hint!) and wait in line for immigration. Then through security. Same lines, but not as many people as I see here.”

Airport Food & Atmosphere

• John: “Ok. What about food in the airport?”
• Sunil: “With the renovations, they get some nice places now. You probably want coffee and sandwiches nah? We Guyanese people like some home food. Curry, Chinese food, ya know”.
• John: "Haha, sounds like quite the spread! I can definitely see how you'd want to bring home a taste of your culture. Are there a lot of traditional food stalls at the airport now?"
• Sunil: “Well, not a ton. There is an airport bar that does bar foods, coffee and drinks, a Pizza Hut, a Burger King and that is about it. So you would get your fast foods, but not the spread you have here….But we Guyanese like to pack something from home to bring to  the airport and on the plan.”
• John: "Yeah, I get that. I usually just grab something quick like a sandwich or salad. So is it more about seeing family when you travel?"
• Sunil: "Yeah man John. Most Guyanese travel for that alone ya know. Or a big celebration like a wedding. You know we does want to take a walk (take a trip). Only some travel for a vacation or business. It depends on their job, how much money and time off they get…That is why we shop for some much clothes and house things.”
• John: "You are giving me such a different perspective here. When I travel, it’s usually for work, so I don’t always get that same personal connection with the place. I do enjoy visiting new places, though, and meeting new people along the way. So, when you travel internationally, do you find there’s a lot of differences in how people behave at airports?"
• Sunil: "Oh, for sure. Yal here is more 'about the business', ya know? Everything’s fast-paced, like they’re trying to get through the process as quick as possible. But back home, we have more of a relaxed vibe, although we want to get through the security and thing fast. Guyanese people, we’re used to waiting sometimes. Whether it’s chatting with a friend, or bargaining for a better deal on something in the departure lounge. But you does see the rush though when the plane ready to board though. You does believe people don’t have seat numbers. Everybody want to go on the same time.”

What’s in Your Suitcase

• John: "Oh my!...So, we were talking about food earlier, and now I’m curious about your luggage situation. You pack a lot when you’re traveling – is it just a bunch of clothes and food, or do you bring other things too?"
• Sunil: " We Guyanese know how to pack, eh. First thing’s first, you gotta bring gifts for family and friends. When coming to the US we bring some frozen Guyanese food. I does always check if the US update the laws though because not everything you can bring. And when we ready to go home. It’s electronics, clothes, and household items.”
• John: "Wow, I can see how your luggage can get heavy! It sounds like packing is a bit of an art. Do you use a lot of suitcases or just one big one?"
• Sunil: "Bai, we travel with both – a big suitcase for all the clothes and gifts, a carry-on, and then a backpack or shopping bag. If you’re leaving Guyana, you better believe you’re bringing something back for everyone – cousins, neighbors, even your barber – in those same bags. We don’t travel light at all!”
• John: "That’s some serious packing! In my case, I usually just carry a roller bag, and maybe a backpack if I need it. It’s all about efficiency for me, especially since I’m only bringing what I need for business. I’ve gotten pretty good at packing light, but I can imagine it’s a bit of a different story when you're going home or visiting family."
• Sunil: "Yeh, efficiency doesn’t come into play much for us. We’re more about making sure we have everything covered, you know? That’s why you see people at the airport with those oversized suitcases. There’s always a few people who have a hard time closing their bag! But we manage, somehow."

Where You Stay

• John: "So, with all that luggage and the food you’re bringing here, I’m guessing you’ve got a pretty specific place you’re staying in Connecticut.”
• Sunil: "I staying my sister. We usually stay with family. We make a proper visit, hang out, and spend quality time…Some Guyanese stay in hotels if they have a business trip of have no one in the area. Like you know them young people that does go on vacation vacation. But for the most part you stay with family.”
• “Ya look like a hotel man John.”
• John: "Yeah lol. I’m a hotel man. For work is it usually a small standard room. When I travel with my family we do a family hotel or an Airbnb. For this wedding we did trip we did a nice group Airbnb.”
• Sunil: “Sounds like my next trip should be with you John!...I’m getting a bit thirsty. Do you mind watching my carry on and phone while I get something to drink?”
• John: “No problem at all! When you come back, I have some more question for you. Just an interest conversation so far.
• Sunil: “Oh for sure. See you in a bit.”

Conversation to be continued…