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True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler

The other day I went to Haiti International airport and witness a Haitian baggage handler turning down a 25 gourdes tip insisting that he gets two Dollars US... And for what? For snatching a bag out of the hands of a teenager, the daughter of a poor young lady who rode on public transportation from a Haiti province town to pick her up at the airport.

Haiti Toussaint Louverture International Airport
Haiti Toussaint Louverture International Airport

I am so serious when I tell you that the man did absolutely nothing to deserve a tip.

The story is not about the rude man at the airport but WHO the tip was from...

The young lady, the mother, who came to pick up her daughter at the airport is a "Ti Machan Fritay" from one of the provinces in Haiti who is barely making a living. I had the liberty of talking to her a bit while we were both getting wet in the rain waiting in front of the Haiti airport.

It was the first time her daughter had come back to Haiti since moving with her father to the United States. She was so happy to see her daughter, she didn't even know that the man with the red shirt who grabbed her daughter's 'VALIZ' wanted money in return for the gesture.

"Ou gen lajan nan posh ou?"(You have money in your pocket?) I asked her since the guy started to follow her around...

"Pa anpil," (no much) she replied

"Ba misye on 10 goud," (Give the man 10 gourdes) I said to her.

She reached in her pursed, grabbed probably the only 25 gourdes she had to spare, and handed it to him.

"Pa okipe-w... Ouy met kenbe sa-a..." (don't worry, you can keep that) the man said to her insisting that he gets TWO DOLLAR U.S.

Neg la pa rann li kont ke se just yon ti machann fritay ki vinn cheche pitit li airport. I don't know about you but even if I had $500 dollars in my pocket I would not give him a dime.

In every other country in that I have been to, you give a man a tip he says thank you. Next time you land in Haiti, try to give one of these men 5 Gourdes and see what happens.

QUESTION: What do you think about this? Have you ever has an encounter like this at the airport in Haiti? Share your story with us.

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Bwa San Fe says...

On the topic of True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler, Even you give him $10.00(US), that will not be more »

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David Grant says...

Concerning True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler, Since I left Haiiti's shores I have never been more »

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Jacques L says...

In response to True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler, This has been an issue for me since the first time I more »

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Lejacobinnoir says...

Regarding True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler, I don't give money to baggage handlers at the airport. Mwen more »

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Kerline says...

With respect to True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler, So many times these baggage handlers are rude, I once gave more »

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Lisa says...

Replying to True Haiti Stories: The Machann Fritay and the Airport Baggage Handler, I grab my bag back and say no thank you in French I can drag more »

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