Beachboys

Practically at every in Sri Lankan beach, where one can meet tourists, one also encounters the so called Beachboys. As you know, Beachboys exist in the whole world  sometimes they are just called differently: in Italy they are called "Papagalli", in Vienna "Praterbuben", in Germany "Bauernfaenger", etc. In Sri Lanka they are called "Beachboys" and this name is very suitable, because one meets them exclusively at the beach. If you personally travel only 100 to 200 km away from the beach towards the interior of the county, then surely no local will approach you and ask your name - the same way you would act at home, where when you see a foreign you would not go over and ask him personal questions. The Beachboys are rather their "own little folk" and neither in the behaviour nor the attitude towards foreigners do they have even the slightest similarities with the "real" locals of this island. Also the word "Beachboy" is only used in a negative sense such as a swearword.

But: they will definitely will appear very friendly and one might even think that they speak pretty good German. They want to be your personal guide and will show you e.g. letters where they as a tour guide are mentioned positively or show an ID card, which proofs them to be an official "tour guide". Often they also say that a family member is employed at the Lotus-Villa or even that they are "sponsored" by one of the managers.

They will offer their expertise and will always be at hand if you want, for example, to go shopping or simply walk along the beach. Of course they will say that they only want to help you and protect you from the other Beachboys. You will certainly have already made similar experiences in other countries and also know how this will end: using an excuse (e.g. apprenticeship or the mother needs an operation) one is asked for money or tempted to do an excursion which is rather similar to a "sales tour". Please also be careful when you are invited into a spice garden, where you receive head massages free of charge. It often ends with a skin rash, which can be difficult to get rid off! It has also happened before, that pieces of polished sprite-bottles were "sold" as green gems.

Of course this does not always have to be the case and how much one wants to get involved with the Beachboys is up to oneself. We recommend that you are very careful, as we from the Lotus-Villa often find ourselves unable to help out when e.g. a "deal" is be reverted.

Please pay also attention to: the fact that in Sri Lanka prevails more the "English laws", which practically allow the seller everything and make it the exclusive duty of the buyer to check everything - the legal process therefore is very different than in many West-European countries. (This by the way is also the reason why especially foreign women when shopping at European markets get into trouble because of touching goods at markets: from home there are used to check everything very carefully before purchasing anything.!)

The beach is state property, hence we have no right to drive the Beachboys away or have them expelled. The business "tourist" is often much more lucrative than a normal job.