A sharp social commentary on how suspicion and gossip undermine progress in Guyanese communities.
Guyanese neighbourhoods have perfected the art of turning a single purchase into a full criminal investigation. According to Kaieteur News, when one resident drove home in a new SUV, the community had transformed him into a millionaire, fraudster, government contractor and suspected money launderer by nightfall—all based on a vehicle.
The column observes that this cultural tendency extends far beyond cars. A neighbour begins constructing a concrete house with nice tiles and a fancy gate, and suddenly everyone becomes a forensic auditor. The pattern repeats across life’s milestones: promotions, business success, land purchases, vacations, expensive clothing and restaurant visits all trigger intense neighbourhood speculation.
What makes this phenomenon particularly corrosive, according to the piece, is that suspicion operates without requiring any actual evidence. The only prerequisite is that someone is doing better than you are. A woman earns advancement and faces the question “Who does she know?” rather than receiving congratulations. A man’s business flourishes and people attribute it to hidden connections rather than recognizing his labour.
The commentary highlights a troubling paradox: the same people who spend hours explaining why someone doesn’t deserve success are often the first to congratulate them once that success becomes undeniable. “Boy, I always know he had potential,” they’ll say—despite having spent the previous week explaining how that person couldn’t even spell his own name.
This preoccupation with monitoring others’ lives comes at a steep personal cost. While people spend years investigating their neighbours’ climbs up the ladder, they fail to notice they aren’t moving themselves. The column defines envy as the moment another person’s blessing becomes your personal emergency, and jealousy as praying that someone else’s Wi-Fi stops working.
Ultimately, Kaieteur News suggests that Guyanese society manufactures envy locally—one of the few products the nation produces without importing raw materials. The habit keeps communities perpetually busy with other people’s affairs, leaving little time or energy for their own advancement.
The ‘Dem Boys Seh’ column is a regular satirical feature in Kaieteur News that offers social commentary on Guyanese life and culture. Published on September 28, 2026, this piece reflects on long-standing patterns of gossip and suspicion within Guyanese neighbourhoods and communities.
This commentary speaks directly to Caribbean social dynamics where gossip, envy and speculation about others’ wealth are common cultural features across the region. The piece resonates with Caribbean audiences navigating similar pressures around visible success and community scrutiny, making it relevant to diaspora communities as well.
Written & Edited by Orlyn Edwards. Published by Caribbean Air Force Media.
Category: Culture · Island routing: Guyana