January 23, 2014

Dear Sir,

I’m Bermudian. I have had that wonderful privilege all my life, yet there are still times when I don’t understand my own people.

Last night I had dinner with clients that fly in annually to purchase insurance. There were five overseas visitors at a table of ten. I spoke with two of them about their many personal trips to Bermuda — honeymoon, vacation etc. It is clear that they have a wonderful view of our Island and are fabulous advocates for us.

I often talk about Bermuda with visitors — our culture, history, politics and environment. What a lot of my fellow Bermudians may not know is how often people in the non-hospitality world step into their secondary job — that of the “Buy Bermuda” campaign. Bermudian and expat professionals alike sell our Island regularly in conversations with overseas business partners. I am proud of my Island and I love showing it off.

Now down to brass tacks:

These visitors will be here for three days/two nights. Factor in hotels, meals and transportation, etc, they could conservatively contribute $5,000 directly to local business. That is direct support for local restaurant, hospitality and taxi businesses. They are also repeat customers.

These clients have been supportive of the Bermuda insurance market for over a decade. During that period they have contributed $5m+ in premium to Bermuda insurers. These are the companies that employ Bermudians as underwriters, claims analysts, finance personnel, attorneys, marketing staff, etc. The premium the clients pay support those jobs.

In short their contribution to our Island DIRECTLY supports Bermuda and Bermudians.

As we were leaving the restaurant, after having spent a large portion of the night selling Bermuda — our insurance capabilities and vacation potential, we stood on the sidewalk to say goodbyes. In the midst of the hand shaking and air kissing two women asked to pass. I know one of them is Bermudian. It was mainly uneventful, (except for the sheer look of disdain on the Bermudian’s face), until ... she thought she was out of earshot of our group and decided to make a big deal out of the fact that we were ‘taking up the sidewalk’. So petty and so small.

I apologised to the clients for her unnecessary comments and we moved on. No big deal. But it stuck with me. I know the woman; she is in the fashion world. Wholly unrelated to insurance — right? Wrong. I buy clothes and the other people in insurance buy clothes. Our ability to spend money locally keeps Bermudians employed — yes, even in the fashion/retail industry. So the very people that she was unnecessarily rude to indirectly support her job.

Why can’t we see the interconnectivity and symbiosis that we all have with each other? No man/woman is an island — especially on an island. The goodwill we generate with our business visitors and tourists benefits us all.

Off to read my Thomas More.

IDEALISTIC REALIST