Understand
Topless sunbathing is not allowed on the beaches of Nevis. The people of Nevis in general are a conservative lot, attending Church regularly and often several services at different churches on the same day. Cursing, provocative dress, and rudeness are frowned on. It is appropriate and common to greet everyone you meet saying, "Good Morning," "Good Afternoon," or "Good Night" which is said instead of "Good Evening.". People do tend to be friendly if approached in this manner. You can expect that most non-tourist specific places will have lines. Expect waits in banks, grocery stores, and government offices. Local people expect that you will not complain or act irritated by the delays.
History
The very first inhabitants in Nevis were the Sibonay Indians. The belief is that 2,100 years ago, Nevis broke off from Central America and arrived in the stop it stands today. Other Indian tribes migrated themselves over to Nevis including Arawak Indians from Venezuela and Carib Indians. On November 11th, Christopher Columbus spotted the island, and had mistaken the cloud over the mountain which is always there, even today for snow. On the map, he marked the island with the spanish word "Nieves", meaning "snow". This name showed up on many travel maps and the name stuck. Though Christopher Columbus was the first to spot and name Nevis, he never went onto the island. Captain Barthemow Gilbert was the first recorded visitor in 1603. In 1628, the British settle in Nevis. In 1629, the island was invaded and taken over by the Spanish. For the next 200 years, this went on. The government switched constantly between the British, Dutch, French and Spanish. By 1854, the island became vacant. The sugar industry that was so important on the island was going downhill. Everyone now had their own sugar in their own countries. Today, many of the sugar industries are shut down. Most of them closed down in 1958. There are still a couple of them running, though. Nevis is not commercially developed. It is a very quiet and relaxing island. The marketplace is very small, and a lot safer than most islands. The people who live there are very kind and welcoming, always saying hello to the guests. Today, Nevis has one of the highest literacy rates. Education and religion is a very important aspect of the islander's lives.