You're Welcome (But Only in a Sort of a Way)

The rugged Mini-Moke wouldn’t start after it had bogged down in heavy mud on a winding road behind Moorea’s spectacular Paopao Valley.

The Moke’s three American tourists and one PIM staff writer signalled two passing Polynesian motorists for help, but they didn’t stop. However, the third passerby, a Chinese shopkeeper, stopped and gave the Moke the necessary tow to get her started again.

For his trouble and time, the Chinese wouldn’t accept money.

A little thing, perhaps, but it is incidents like that which make visitors to Tahiti and Moorea ask themselves: Do the French Polynesians really welcome tourists?

They certainly don’t display the enthusiasm for tourists that can be found in Fiji and the Gilberts and many of them believe tourists are a “necessary evil” for French Polynesia’s economy.

A lot of Tahitians are dependent for their livelihood on the blossoming tourist industry but that doesn’t mean they have to like it or care a great deal if visitors get bogged in cars, get served wrong dishes of food or have to carry a big bag or two.

There are exceptions, of course, but most French Polynesians act indifferently towards the tourist.—KMcG.