The Real Beauty in the Bahamas

There is a lot to love about the Bahamas.  The beauty of the locale clearly has God’s handiwork all over it, and I’m not sure how one could take it all in and not be convinced of the existence of a Higher Power.  

But the Bahamas true beauty lies not in her natural resources.  It lies in her citizens.  

The Bahamian people are polite, happy, kind, and a pleasure with which to meet and connect.  The cynic in me would suggest that perhaps their demeanor is because they recognize that a good portion of their economy is based on hospitality.  But I don’t buy it.  The kindness, gentleness, and humorous way (good golly the Bahamian people love a good laugh) the citizens interact with each other and with visitors is something to behold.  

So why are they so kind?  Perhaps this Christian nation is just plain acting like that – being a Christian nation and actually treating each other as we as Christians claim to (despite our efforts otherwise).  

Yes, the pace is slower.  And while that’s a stereotype, I’ll be damned if I claim it to be a negative one.  One conscious thought I had when we were down there – I wonder how many citizens die of heart attacks in the Bahamas.  It can’t be many, as the stress is low, and the happiness high.  What a great combination.  

There’s a phrase back home about folks being “Minnesota Nice;” that Minnesotans are noticeably polite and kind to one another and to strangers.  

Minnesota Nice?  Hogwash.  People who make that claim have never been to the Bahamas.