Meaning
Those who badly want a thing can't get it, while those who have it don't appreciate it. A sharp observation on the unfairness of life and human ingratitude: the person longing for something goes without, while the one who has it in abundance takes it for granted or wastes it.
Examples
-
She woulda mind ten pickney but cyaan have none — wanti wanti cyaan getti.
She would raise ten children but can't have any — those who want can't get.
-
Dem have money an nah enjoy it. Getti getti nuh want it.
They have money and don't enjoy it. Those who have don't appreciate it.
Origin
A traditional Jamaican proverb on longing versus ingratitude; 'wanti' = one who wants, 'getti' = one who gets. See [[craven]], [[long-eye]].
How it’s used
The 'have-nots' crave what the 'haves' waste. On unfairness and ingratitude. See [[long-eye]], [[bad-mind]].