Hi
It has been awhile since we have been to St. Martin, and recall that parking at beaches - you employed someone who watched your car. I know never have valuables -- but what is the going rate, and euros or us?

Thanks
marci

I have never heard of such a thing!
You might have been scammed.
If you want to park close to Club O at Orient, then you pay.
But the other beaches? Not to my knowledge!

Good to know. This was at Rouge Beach as well as cupecoy. anyone else?

marci

Nope never paid at any beach, unless we want to park at the Club O lot.

That includes Cupecoy and Rouge.

Hey there used to be a couple of guys there who would actually 'watch' the cars and we always gave them a couple of bucks but I dont think there was a real fee for this.Theyd also steer you to the chairs and lunch on the beach but again this was a hwile ago and might of changed.

I have never heard of that

barbara you may never have heard of that but it is so. i think they are just natives that look scary so you pay them a buck or so so that they dont steal your car or damage it. i have been approached many times in my 18 years visiting, mostly in grand case and philipsburg.

Happens all the time at Baie Rouge. They scam you for a few bucks to "watch" you car. They disappear soon after. At the Marina, you often will run into the self peoclaimed parking lot mayor "Derrick" He is another local drunk who tries to intimidate tourists into giving him a few bucks to "watch" your car. Funny, I never see him upon leaving dinner.

Derrick was at the Marina Royale in January (he got a haircut)
They now have security guards strolling the parking lot after dinner-so I guess Derrick leaves before they arrive or they move him on.
The guys at Rouge beach are friendly enough. Mostly, they steer you to rent chairs & umbrellas. We have never "tipped" them.

jint Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Happens all the time at Baie Rouge. They scam you
> for a few bucks to "watch" you car. They disappear
> soon after. At the Marina, you often will run into
> the self peoclaimed parking lot mayor "Derrick" He
> is another local drunk who tries to intimidate
> tourists into giving him a few bucks to "watch"
> your car. Funny, I never see him upon leaving
> dinner.


yeah we never tipped the guys, they work for the restaurants, and direct you to what you want, and set up the chairs also, thats the only tipping they get, because many times they are the same guys that take you to your beach chairs

I have a knuckle sandwich ready for Derrick the next time I see him....end of march

Barbara,

For years there have been two or three guys hanging out in the parking area of Baie Rouge. They make it look like they're helping you park and sometimes (not always) make a comment about "keeping an eye" on your car. They are not shy about expecting a tip and the insinuation is your car may be at risk without their help.

Then one of them directs you to the beach and offers to assist you with chairs and umbrella. We usually tip a couple of bucks in the parking lot and then have one of them help us haul chairs down the beach for an additional tip.

They're harmless and I have fun with these guys, but I can see how some might be intimidated by them.

mc