CozumelAntonio
Contributor
I hope no one is bothered by me posting this here, but I need to put it out there for the record.
I just received the following email:
Although I havent been on these boards in a long time, I have just
returned from by 20th trip to the island. I am so impressed with the work
since post Wilma.
However, I had to look you up since I have heard so many negative
things from the locals and others about you. It seems most think you are the
biggest scam artist on the island! After going back and reading posts,
I can understand. It is fortunate for you that for the most part these
people have kept the opinion to themselves.
I often heard how you had told lies about other dive related people and
how you would do anything for a free meal or drink. Of course everyone
grew tired of your self promotion with your clothing line.
But I guess the worst thing I heard was how you were now trying to
collect money that was given to locals in appreciation to their efforts
post Wilma. Of course, the joke is that the money is not designated for
you but you are trying to take it anyway. (I heard this from someone off
the island so your scam reputation is widespread!) With so many good
people, it is a shame that the people on these boards do not know the
real Antonio!
Needless to say I am quite surprised. I know there are many people on the island who don't like me, and more than a couple who probably hate my guts. Be it for my very brash way of being, my excessive luck and commercial sucess at the diveshop I have managed for 5 years, or maybe my seasonal heavy partying, and sometimes drunken obnoxiousness. But I have always been a champion of the TRUTH.
But scam artist??? I do not know who this person that emailed me is, nor do I know who they talked to, but it is obviously some extremely misinformed and vicious people. I have never, at all to anyone on any forum or privately, asked for anything for anyone regarding the hurricane, I have not had anything to do with any "relief" campaign of any kind, though there are several people in Cozumel, mostly foreginers, who have been involved in relief efforts.
Lied about dive people???? Do anything for a free meal or drink??? *** is that about. There have been countless people on the boards who have posted "I'd love to buy you a drink". To this day I believe it has happened twice, and both times it was very nice people I already knew. I have no need to mooch from anyone, I do quite well and dine out often, on my own dime.
If what this person is saying is true, and there are many people in Cozumel, and even out of Cozumel, saying these things, it makes me very very sad. I have stepped on my fair share of toes since 1989 when I arrived here, and I am not one to tolerate the BS that some people just love to surround themselves with. I don't have alot of tolerance for the stupid and shallow attitudes and ways of thinking I find in many people, and thus keep to myself alot, and a very, very reduced circle of friends.
Whoever you are that emailed me, I want to tell you that what you say you were told is way, way off, and could not be further from the truth.
I know that some of you out there do know the real Antonio, and I know that if confronted with this kind of BS, you would know it for what it is.
I just received the following email:
Although I havent been on these boards in a long time, I have just
returned from by 20th trip to the island. I am so impressed with the work
since post Wilma.
However, I had to look you up since I have heard so many negative
things from the locals and others about you. It seems most think you are the
biggest scam artist on the island! After going back and reading posts,
I can understand. It is fortunate for you that for the most part these
people have kept the opinion to themselves.
I often heard how you had told lies about other dive related people and
how you would do anything for a free meal or drink. Of course everyone
grew tired of your self promotion with your clothing line.
But I guess the worst thing I heard was how you were now trying to
collect money that was given to locals in appreciation to their efforts
post Wilma. Of course, the joke is that the money is not designated for
you but you are trying to take it anyway. (I heard this from someone off
the island so your scam reputation is widespread!) With so many good
people, it is a shame that the people on these boards do not know the
real Antonio!
Needless to say I am quite surprised. I know there are many people on the island who don't like me, and more than a couple who probably hate my guts. Be it for my very brash way of being, my excessive luck and commercial sucess at the diveshop I have managed for 5 years, or maybe my seasonal heavy partying, and sometimes drunken obnoxiousness. But I have always been a champion of the TRUTH.
But scam artist??? I do not know who this person that emailed me is, nor do I know who they talked to, but it is obviously some extremely misinformed and vicious people. I have never, at all to anyone on any forum or privately, asked for anything for anyone regarding the hurricane, I have not had anything to do with any "relief" campaign of any kind, though there are several people in Cozumel, mostly foreginers, who have been involved in relief efforts.
Lied about dive people???? Do anything for a free meal or drink??? *** is that about. There have been countless people on the boards who have posted "I'd love to buy you a drink". To this day I believe it has happened twice, and both times it was very nice people I already knew. I have no need to mooch from anyone, I do quite well and dine out often, on my own dime.
If what this person is saying is true, and there are many people in Cozumel, and even out of Cozumel, saying these things, it makes me very very sad. I have stepped on my fair share of toes since 1989 when I arrived here, and I am not one to tolerate the BS that some people just love to surround themselves with. I don't have alot of tolerance for the stupid and shallow attitudes and ways of thinking I find in many people, and thus keep to myself alot, and a very, very reduced circle of friends.
Whoever you are that emailed me, I want to tell you that what you say you were told is way, way off, and could not be further from the truth.
I know that some of you out there do know the real Antonio, and I know that if confronted with this kind of BS, you would know it for what it is.