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People Watching In T&T

I'm new to Trinbago, but even still I've noticed some (to me at least) strange things when out in public.

Why is it that young Afro-Trini women have white powder on their chests? Is it a fashion thing? Has it been going on long? And it only seems to be Afro-Trini women who do this. I never see many Indo-Trini women who do that.

And another thing, is there an obesity problem here in Trinbago? Again (and without seeming to be discriminatory) I see more overweight or obese Afro-Trinis than indo-trinis, Is it diet? Do too many people eat KFC or doubles, which aren't exactly that healthy to begin with? Someone recently told me that the macaroni pie and coo-coo they serve in the food courts at the malls contains a lot of fat and even butter. Is this another reason why?

TampT Watching People

ca1979:

They do it to keep themselves "dry" from the constant sweat in this type of weather. Mind you, only low-class girls do this. You will never see other Afro-Trinis who come from another class or are more educated doing this.

Yes, it is uncommon to see Indo-Trini women doing this but I have seen a few. What they do like to use is some sort of oil in their hair (not sure what it is).

And no! It's NOT fashion whatsoever.

Yes, in recent years I have seen an increase of obesity in the country. As you well know, Trinis love to eat and a lot of them live sedentary lives hence they are constantly overweight. BUT the concept of overweight that you or I may have differs a lot in what most Trinis consider overweight.

People Watching In T&T Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad

Ok, thanks for your comments. But what do you mean that the concept of overweight differs in Trinidad? And I never realised that the powder on chest thing was a class thing. It seems that Trinidad is quite a class-based and even elitist society. Is there any reason for this?

TampT Watching People

What I meant is (based on MY personal experience) what I consider overweight, it is not by Trini standards. Women who are chubby or "thick" (as they call it) are not consider overweight, as a matter of fact the typical Trini man prefers them that way.


I am not sure which area you usually hang out but West Trinidad (Westmoorings, Bayshore, etc) it's like a completely different country from the rest of Trinidad and that includes the people. And before any Trini come and accuse me of elitist, notice I said "different" and NOT "better".

TampT Watching People

OK, I never realised that. I think in fairness though chubby women are seen as attractive in other countries as well. To me a chubby woman like Queen Latifah is nice, even though I wouldn't automatically go for someone of her build.

And I understand the point about Westmoorings and I don't think you're being snobbish and elitist. I live in Arima and (without sounding snobbish or elitist myself) I have to be honest and fair and saw that it's not that wealthy a town. When walking around downtown Arima I often see young Afro-Trini women with powder on their chest but never thought it was a class thing.