Crabs in a Barrel – A Reflection on Professionalism, Passion, and the Jamaican Real Estate Landscape

Dear Reader,

I recently had a disheartening yet eye-opening experience while preparing to list a property in Jamaica. As part of my standard process, I was on location gathering information, taking photographs, and preparing the necessary details for a professional listing. During this routine activity, the property owner paused and asked me, “Why would you, with your qualifications, want to come into this field and be just another crab in a barrel?”

At first, I was taken aback. Her question was laced with concern, perhaps even sarcasm, but more than anything, it carried the weight of cultural commentary. It wasn’t a lighthearted jab—it was a deeply embedded reflection of how some Jamaicans perceive the competitive and often cutthroat nature of real estate and similar industries on the island. Her remark lingered in my mind long after I left the property, and I feel compelled to unpack it—not just for my own understanding, but for the benefit of others who may be wrestling with similar …