Goan seamen or tarvottis come from all sections of our society and from Salcete as well as Bardez. Once on board of a ship, caste and class distinctions are forgotten. They share the same living quarters, eat food at the same table and in working hours there is generally bonhomie in the sense one tarvotti will willingly complete the job of another tarvotti who has fallen behind in the schedule, because he will not let a fellow tarvotti down in the eyes of white naval officers. But once they are on land or in Goa the story seems to be different. One tarvotti happens to meet a good colleague of his on board of the ship. In the course of exchanging pleasantries about their respective families, one said to another: ''Come on, why don't you join me for a drink in a nearby bar ?' only to be told that he is unable to do so because in his home property at that time a paddo (plucking of coconuts ) was going on and he had urgently come to town to pick up some useful items. In another case, and under same circumstances two tarvottis met in a town and the answer was as follows ; ''' It so happens that today is my choli's (daughter's) birthday and she expects me tobe at home as early as possible. .
