Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc View Post

When we are in Belize, do I wear a helmet and thus immediately put a label on myself of "different", "outsider", "ex-pat", "gringo", and, quite possibly "rich"; or do I do ride sans helmet in order to fit in and live as the locals and not appear ostentatious? For safety purposes, a helmet is obviously the way to go; but there are cultural issues at play that are very different from those where I live now.
Erm. Aren't you already going to stand out as different, an outsider,an ex-pat, a gringo, and rich? I mean, you don't look like a Belize native. Your bike is probably also way nicer than a native's.

But... Maybe you should buy a bunch of helmets and give them out to natives that can't afford them... and then there will be a few other people wearing helmets.