Ask Auntie
Residential requirements for candidates
Does the candidate have to live in the area for which he is running? What happens if a district doesn’t have anyone wanting to run? Auntie’s answer: There have been several election-related questions of late, and I expect more to come as we get closer to May 2017. I have to say I am encouraged […]
Discarded shopping carts a nuisance
Foster’s Food Fair shopping carts (including the new ones) are along the roadside all over the island. This is unsightly and very concerning to me. I am certain the loss and destruction of these carts are costing FFF not to mention the customers! Can something be put in place? When I travel abroad I am not […]
Are diners required to pay automatic gratuities?
What’s the legal position on gratuities in Cayman? I’ve had kickback when I’ve asked restaurants to remove an automatic gratuity of 16%. If this is really voluntary, I’d prefer to make my own decision rather than a random rate selected by the restaurant owner as enough to compensate their staff as they don’t pay them […]
Hates job but loves Cayman
What should I do if I hate my job but love living in the Cayman Islands and want to stay? Auntie’s answer: Let me start by saying that I can understand your feelings about Cayman and wanting to live here. You are certainly not unique in loving our islands. I can also sympathise with your […]
Looking for a Buddhist service
I am a Buddhist. Where can I meet other Buddhists and is there a place of worship here? Auntie’s answer: One of the nicest things about Cayman is how multicultural our little island is, with the 135 nationalities that live here belying its small size and population. There is also a variety of choices when […]
How to vote if not here on Elections Day
Are we allowed to vote by absentee ballot in Cayman? Auntie’s answer: Well, this seems a particularly timely question considering what we have just witnessed from our neighbour to the north. I am a strong believer in every vote counting, no matter the size of the electorate, so that is certainly true here in our […]
Car seller concerned about ownership transfer
Why does vehicle licensing allow cars to be sold when all the paperwork is not completed? I’m trying to sell my car. The buyer insists he doesn’t need insurance and so the transfer papers was not completed. Vehicle licensing stamped some paperwork but didn’t give me a copy, so now the buyer has a car […]
Walker worried about getting hit by footballs
I love walking. I used to walk on the roads but for safety reasons went to the Truman Bodden tracks. It seems even more riskier there in the evenings when the youngsters are playing football in the fields inside the tracks. Some of them play close to the edge and some play on the small […]
Use of turtle shells after meat removed
What happens to the turtle shells after the Turtle Farm butchers the turtle for meat? Auntie’s answer: I went to the source for this one, asking the Cayman Turtle Centre (the name was changed from Turtle Farm this past September) to respond to your question, and I received a very detailed explanation of the procedure […]
Confusion over validity of car inspection certificate
Recently (3 November 2016 to be exact), I went to have my vehicle licensed (renewing the vehicle coupon). My vehicle inspection was valid until 25 November 2016; however, the licensing officers advised that they cannot accept my vehicle inspection and that I had to go and get it re-done. Thinking that they must have not read the […]
Who owns Cayman News Service?
I actually have a question about CNS. With the election coming up next year, I think it is important for the community to know who controls the media. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, can you tell us who really owns CNS? Auntie’s answer: I am glad you asked this question because, to be […]
How to use an A/C efficiently
Is it cheaper to run the air conditioner all day every day on a high setting than turn it off when you’re not at home? Auntie’s answer: You probably won’t be surprised to learn that you are not the first person to ask this question. I did some research on your behalf and found that […]
In search of the green flash
What is a green flash and how common is it in Cayman? Auntie’s answer: Let me start off by saying to anyone who thinks the green flash is a myth, the phenomenon is very real. I know it sounds like an old wives’ tale but it is an occurrence with a very scientific explanation behind […]
Wants to trace family’s roots
I’ve often wondered if there is an archive or form of records located somewhere in Grand Cayman that has kept track of early European settlers to the Cayman Islands where younger generations would be able to trace their ancestry? From there, hopefully finding other records of family in England or Scotland etc. Auntie’s answer: What […]
Cayman needs to protect consumers
Is there anything here in Cayman like a Trading Standards Organisation? I have to assume not as I am a Caymanian and would probably have heard of it. The reason I ask, I was given the gift of a XXXXX blender which was bought from one of our discount-type stores and after watching a documentary on […]
Anxious for banks to offer chip-and-PIN cards
Any idea when Cayman banks will get up to date with credit cards using chip and PIN? I recently went to Europe and in both UK and France (and probably other European countries) a lot of places would not accept our “swipe” credit cards, which was very embarrassing. In fact, staff at some stores did […]
Disgusted by neighbours burning garbage
I just have a question in regards to neighbours who constantly are burning heaps of plant waste and/or garbage. Even though the mounds of debris are being burned on their property, the smoke is drifting directly into our a/c units and filling the whole house with disgusting smoke (and we have a newborn baby). The […]
Told not to use ticket machine to pay for airport parking
Has the parking policy at Owen Roberts International Airport changed? On returning last Thursday evening (20 October) I was about to pay cash at the machine when the lady at the adjacent booth said I had to pay her even though I had cash. She took my money and ticket and said I should press […]
