禁漫天堂

Interesting聽 topic.聽

Fundamentally the聽 pace of life here is different, but, it depends on who and where.聽 IF you are here retired then clearly its much more laid back.

If you are here working than that is NOT the case for most.聽 The work week here is聽 5.5 days!聽 And employers regularly abuse employees and expect them to work more!

One big difference is that culturally the big meal here is eaten at noon.聽 That was a big change for me and I never adapted to it.聽 I still cannot eat a big meal at noon or聽 1pm.

Sleep - no issues or need to adapt. Well, except for when their is music blasting at night.....聽

Hello Chery and Planner. It is early morning as I read you topic question. Going to sleep a bit on it and reply later. Living DR is certainly a big change up than living in the states.

So Dominican Republic is an island that has its own particular dimension if you can call it that. It's living at the full throttle from Friday to Monday. Locals spend what they have and what they don't have for a good time.

Good times are in any corner you turn. Dinner starts between 830pm until 12 midnight at any given day. If you close to a night club 1 2 3 in the morning dinners are not unusual.

Caba帽as are full all weekends and during the week at 7 am then at noon and then later after 6pm.

So how does it change habits? Anyone who wants to participate, learn and adapt DR local activities has to change dinner, entertainment and sleep habits.

Shopping is the same. Must be done early am or late night. Most DR citizens don't have a conventional 9 to 5. Most wake up at 8 and hit the streets at 9 or 10 am.

I have few more thoughts to share. Mostly general DR stuff. I've been here since the 60's.

In addition to what I've already written. In DR you will have more social human contact than anywhere in most developed countries. I think that is what I enjoy most.

You are correct about the social nature here, I love that.聽 But, understand everyone knows everything about you. What they don't actually know, they invent!聽 馃ぃ馃ぃ

In terms of hours to wake up etc, I don't know those Dominicans at all.聽 Most are up damn early.

Truth be told it is mostly the unemployed that have a tendency of rising late. Out of a population of 11,228,821 people (2022) there is a significant labor force that rises early in DR.

Unemployment Rate 5.20% as of March 2023

Labor Force Participation Rate聽 63.70%聽 as of March 2023

Employment Rate聽 60.40%聽 as of March 2023

One other thing that one has to become accustomed tu is the constant vehicle noise practically everywhere. Loud trucks, cars, motorcycles and mopeds. In DR owners will alter their vehicle to make more noise. Although disrepair is the reason the noisy ones exist. Loud music is another thing to get used to, at private residences, corner stores and vehicles. When say loud I mean LOUD!!

in any case its worth the change from the states to DR. It remains a beautiful place to live. Like every where else.... It's got it's dynamic. It's island life. It's a good life.

@planner yes people want to know and keep track of everything about you. Curious or nosey?

I wonder if those stats include the underground economy???

Maybe both curiosity and nosey?聽 馃ぃ馃ぃ maybe survival skills over the years?聽

Yes this is a noisy country.聽 You say despair is the reason it exists, that's interesting.聽 聽I don't see it as despair at all.聽 I see it as living in the moment, finding joy wherever and whenever and some escapism!聽 It's a really interesting observation though!

It is interesting what is said about the noise, especially the music. Dominicans will say they "love life, and want to express themselves", or something like that. The ex-pats describe it as inconsiderate, annoying and them just thinking about themselves. I think it is some of both.

I've also given some thought to the differences between here (North Coast) and Santo Domingo. The culture and pace is certainly different between the two. I feel a bit more "at home" in SD. People tend to be more educated, tolerate my Spanglish more, give more thought to the value of time, etc.

@planner of course living the moment. This is very spontaneous island living. However, I wrote the noise is mainly due to vehicle "disrepair". Not dispare. 馃榾

@RockyM SD is certainly different and unique than any other place in DR.

I live with n SD and it's brutal.聽 I had never lived in a big city before so it was culture shock.

SD is the center of a lot of business so is full of opportunities.聽 It is also very dense and not built for the traffic we have! I have taken 45 minutes to go two blocks!聽 And it's way way worse if it's payday, raining, it's Friday OR traffic police are on the streets!

@planner you certainly know what your talking about. SD is no joke. The traffic congestion doesn't compare to New York City. In NYC at least traffic is moving. In SD there is gridlock at practically at every corner. A nightmare.

And no rush hour anymore. Starts before 7 am and goes until after 8 pm.聽

Only decent day to do anything is Sunday!

This is all very interesting.聽 I too have noticed the way many people tend to "live in the moment" and make alot of noise and like to party as if today is the last day.聽 Like perpetual teenagers with no responsibilities and no care in the world.聽 I dont find this happening in the places I have chosen to live when I am there (which is in gated communities in Punta Cana area) and this is not going to be the norm everywhere else.聽

One thing I noticed here in Punta Cana, there are many kids who are going to private school and they all speak English.聽 If I am somewhere trying to communicate, the older ones sometimes cover over and just help out.聽 They are very helpful and thanks to their parents who sacrifice alot to get them the better education.聽 聽I hope all children in this country will get that experience soon (learning english), which has been promised.聽

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Yes living in and amongst mainly expats you will see a difference!

@Karin1 that's nice to hear. I think Punta Cana is an exceptional location in that their are more affluent foreigners that reside their. Some of the locals have a significant exposure to these visitors and may like the educated modalities they view. They may want to emulate these behaviors as a way to fit in and even believing that is the way of the wealthy and educated.

Puerto Plata although having a good amount of residential foreigners. They may not be as affluent aa聽 the affluent as the same in Punta Cana. Punta Cana is in a class all by itself. I would even go as far to say that it has a transformational effect on any Dominican national. Nice topic!!

I鈥檝e moved to PP just for the fact that it was more quiet and a little bit less congested then the rest of the north coast plus their was a significantly less population of foreigners so you got more of a flavor of the DR鈥� but lately ( last year or so ) I鈥檝e seen so much more traffic and buildings going up鈥�.I think being surrounded by the less affluent was and is a plus鈥�.( especially foreigners elite) I think there鈥檚 more vibes in the streets ( especially on the weekends ) and find they try to be a little bit more personal鈥�. I鈥檝e never seen so many poor people that say they don鈥檛 have any money party to the late hours聽 , these people that I have met make many of their own foods from ice cream ( mangoes & cherry) to roasted chicken in their yards whereas most foreigners I鈥檝e met complain about gas and supermarket prices all day long鈥�.I guess it鈥檚 just depends what one is looking for鈥�I had enough of the so call affluent in New York鈥�

I see way too much of the "American wannabe" attitude in the capital.聽 We call them "poppies".聽 I do not think the influence of the so called affluent expat is all that good.聽

Personally I am here for a Dominican experience and don't live in and around a lot of expats. I prefer Dominicans!

@Tippj most definitely as time passes congestion will grow in PP like many other tourist towns and cities in DR.

The Dominican government has had an agressive tourism development agenda as tourism is a major driver of the countries GDP. DR has had the fastest growing economy in Latin America for many years now.

For Dominicans they are always broke. Except somehow not during weekends and holidays. Many spend their last dime on leisure and clothes shopping activities. I remember when I was 10 years old here. I learned in DR you have to wear your weekend best.

But thinking toward the future the best places to live in a good mix of tranquility and excitement is on the fringes of a tourist town or city. Their you'll get the best of both worlds.

Just curious, where does "poppies" come from?

Also, with the emphasis on tourism etc., is there a lot of demand for English lessons (paid or volunteer)?

Its a Dominican word for the group of young people who live and聽 enjoy life off "daddies money" and聽 constantly want to be Americanized. They often do not really work but always have access to money.

Just curious, where does "poppies" come from?
Also, with the emphasis on tourism etc., is there a lot of demand for English lessons (paid or volunteer)?
-@wondering9

There is always a need for English lessons.聽 聽Volunteer I believe聽 would be聽 amazing for many groups and locations!

My neighbor has a daughter he sends for English lessons and they cost him a thousand pesos a month鈥�so I鈥檓 told

@wondering9 if I were to have an interest in teaching English in DR I would market myself as such.

Depending on your level of English you can make a business card and make appointments with school directors and introduce them to your tutoring service

Provide local shops in tourist areas with a small stack of cards for their patrons to view when shopping.

Many tour companies often need translators or Englishmen 没cspeak personell

I've been thinking about getting training/certification for TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages). I think that's required for formal employment and would be valuable even for volunteering -- just because you can speak the language doesn't mean you can teach it -- as I have had a few opportunities to find out LOL.

I've had a 2-day volunteer training, which IMNSHO is of limited use. The next step up is a 3- to 9-month certificate program, which can often be done online (be careful though, there are some pretty dubious outfits especially at the cheap end). The next step up from that is a master's degree, way too ambitious for me. I'm mostly interested from the volunteer perspective but sometimes I toy with the idea of doing it professionally. Something to think about for down the line!

@wondering9 are you thinking of teaching in DR?

@damasodelrosario only very tentatively right now. could be fun under the right circumstances though.

@wondering9 fun indeed.

We have veered off course聽 a bit.聽 What have you done to adjust, what did you find challenging.....

I think one of the biggest adjustments for me was the difference in service in general.

Coming from the US, I鈥檓 used to having servers check in pretty often to get you another drink, make sure everything is good, offer dessert, etc.聽 Here, I鈥檝e learned to be ready with any requests when a server approaches because you never know when they will be back! 馃槀 There have been times when I really wanted coffee and dessert, but the server was nowhere to be found! By the time they reappear, I have to just ask for the check.

In many shops, there are either people on your heels, following you around or no one to be found when you have a question!

@Cheryl

Thanks lovley Cheryl

I will move in 2024 probably from august or march...

I know DR from 2016 few visits already.

Btw my wife is Dominican women so I know all what I need to enjoy life there

But Thanks for your post and inform me

Biggest adjustment service, it's bad and slow and the only way to make it better is throw money. Solution use BM cargo to ship goods, their service is good and the extra 4-5 $ most times is worse the hassle of dealing with people here.

Professional services - no regulation here, anyone is a mechanic, fake doctor, electrician, plumber. Solution look for expats who have credentials and pay them what they ask for, Cheap is expensive in DR. Also learn to do small things yourself otherwise you will have constant headaches. I literally bought more than a thousand dollars worth of tools and shipped them so I can maintain as much as I can to save money and sanity.

Dealing with people ( trust ) - anyone who can speak Spanish and lives here This goes without saying don't trust anyone, get facturas for absolutely everything it's the only way to hold people accountable - involve a lawyer anytime you can cost permitting.

Used vehicles or anything used - I bought three vehicles here they all needed work, my truck I had to reapir the engine because people do not maintain them here, oil changes here, pumps, bearings its a nightmare; it will look really clean and new paint which makes me burst into tears of laughter. Get help when finding a vehicle fix it and do not let anyone touch it, do not sell it after you have a few problems cause you will do it all over again they all need work and nobody has the money to fix them.

Punctuality聽 - everyone is late; make it clear the time of meeting, if you're paying and picking someone up make it clear if they don't listen then let them stand there for an hour; don't deal with low-caliber people or businesses. Professional businesses are within 20 minutes punctual here. Either that or adjust your time to sync with theirs.

Learn to say no - if someone is following you around give them a firm no, don't smile, don't say no gracias in a touristy way or they will follow you and continue to give you deals Dominican finger shake works well too, people need to understand in this country youn have to be very direct, the subtle facial expressions or subtle passive aggressive behaviors is not read; be clear with your desires and intentions.

Caste system Domincian has a informal caste system - you're treated how you look here. Extranjeros this doesnt apply to much it's more or less between Dominican. Dress nice here, when in formal situations especially you look very new with flip flops and hawain shorts and t shirt. Also it's unfortunate but as a result I have had zero issues here - avoid people who you know don't have money I'll get a lot of blow back for this but I dont care; i've seen people robbed, shot, cheated on, lied to because they are dealing with someone of low class. Make sure they have education and a job. Domincians do the same filitering learn early and save yourself horrible experiences.

I've lived here for two years as a young professional married to a Dominican.

聽 聽 Biggest adjustment service, it's bad and slow and the only way to make it better is throw money. Solution use BM cargo to ship goods, their service is good and the extra 4-5 $ most times is worse the hassle of dealing with people here.
Professional services - no regulation here, anyone is a mechanic, fake doctor, electrician, plumber. Solution look for expats who have credentials and pay them what they ask for, Cheap is expensive in DR. Also learn to do small things yourself otherwise you will have constant headaches. I literally bought more than a thousand dollars worth of tools and shipped them so I can maintain as much as I can to save money and sanity.
Dealing with people ( trust ) - anyone who can speak Spanish and lives here This goes without saying don't trust anyone, get facturas for absolutely everything it's the only way to hold people accountable - involve a lawyer anytime you can cost permitting.
Used vehicles or anything used - I bought three vehicles here they all needed work, my truck I had to reapir the engine because people do not maintain them here, oil changes here, pumps, bearings its a nightmare; it will look really clean and new paint which makes me burst into tears of laughter. Get help when finding a vehicle fix it and do not let anyone touch it, do not sell it after you have a few problems cause you will do it all over again they all need work and nobody has the money to fix them.
Punctuality聽 - everyone is late; make it clear the time of meeting, if you're paying and picking someone up make it clear if they don't listen then let them stand there for an hour; don't deal with low-caliber people or businesses. Professional businesses are within 20 minutes punctual here. Either that or adjust your time to sync with theirs.
Learn to say no - if someone is following you around give them a firm no, don't smile, don't say no gracias in a touristy way or they will follow you and continue to give you deals Dominican finger shake works well too, people need to understand in this country youn have to be very direct, the subtle facial expressions or subtle passive aggressive behaviors is not read; be clear with your desires and intentions.

Caste system聽 Domincian has a informal caste system - you're treated how you look here. Extranjeros this doesnt apply to much it's more or less between Dominican. Dress nice here, when in formal situations especially you look very new with flip flops and hawain shorts and t shirt. Also it's unfortunate but as a result I have had zero issues here - avoid people who you know don't have money I'll get a lot of blow back for this but I dont care; i've seen people robbed, shot, cheated on, lied to because they are dealing with someone of low class. Make sure they have education and a job. Domincians do the same filitering learn early and save yourself horrible experiences.
I've lived here for two years as a young professional married to a Dominican.
聽 聽

聽 聽 -@T.DRRR

Yep....I'd have to agree with pretty much all of this, especially with regards to "professional services". If you own a home here for any length of time you know what I am talking about. I will add that ex-pats can be the worst with this. As my wife says....if you have built a dog house here you're a "builder", picked out throw pillows for your friend you are "designer", and if you have two hands and a bottle of lotion you are a "message therapist.

I wouldn't call this "pace of life", but it is all part of the culture here, which can be a very difficult to adapt to. You have three choices: adapt to it, go crazy, or go somewhere else.

In my opinion, reading this thread captures a lot when it comes to the 鈥渨ay of life鈥� as for me 鈥淧lanner鈥� has her finger on the pulse of things, that being said, each of the post add information & color.聽 Peace my friends.

B

I think this captures a lot of the essence of living here, but I must confess I am a little uncomfortable, with some of the classism displayed here as if people with less education or of lesser means are聽 somehow inherently more dishonest or to be stayed away from or shunned- some of us Americans moved the hell down here to get away from that mentality in the United States- please let鈥檚 leave it there !

I agree Mark!

@Mark Mclaurin

It's unfortunate and not right, but you being the nice guy after people treating them bad for so long they look for opportunties.

Dominican I know, had his childhood friend stay in his house to watch it while he went home they've known each other for about 15 + years, this guy has a nice house, beautiful and he worked hard for it, his friend came over and watched the house, pried open the security box and took 65,000 peso. This is supposed to be his friend. A business owner who owns a construction company (family ) long-time employee stole 25,000 peso by pocketing it from a customer. Friend who got angry at this business owner two years ago tipped people off and shot the watchman while he was sleeping to steal 18 truck batteries from the yard. This isn't the place to give people second chances it will cost you your life. Having a Dominican Family here you get to know the real rules very quick.