I've been in the Dominican Republic for 10 days now and it is a miracle I'm still alive. With 70-100% humidity, you'd think we'd be experiencing torrential downpours but the truth is, it hasn't rained here in over 6 months. Most days the temperature doesn't drop below 90 degrees fahrenheit. (Like I said, it is a miracle I'm still alive). Along with the heat, it is not common here for girls to wear shorts. Yes ladies, that means jeans, skirts, dresses and pants, no matter how cute the new high-waisted jean shorts you just bought are. No matter how sweaty you are. (Unless you don't mind standing out more than you might already as an American).
8 things the DR has taught me in 10 days:
1. Dominicans don't sweat. Period. Just kidding, but the majority of the students here wear jeans to school every single day and I swear they do so without ever breaking a sweat! Maybe I'm not as acquainted to heat as I thought but I tried wearing jeans today for the first time and my advice? Don't do it.
2. If you're white, you will be stared at. If you have blonde hair, you will be stared at. If you're white AND have blonde hair, never expect not to be stared at. In the United States, we have something called "a comfort level." Although this concept might be foreign to some, we do have a cultural norm in the U.S that as someone else's behavior exceeds what we deem acceptable, we often become angry or offended. So most try to avoid making others or themselves uncomfortable. For example, staring. Most people understand when it is no longer appropriate to stare. When one is walking towards someone on the street, there comes a point when both people look away because eye contact and staring no longer feels comfortable or acceptable. Well, this concept doesn't quite apply here in the Dominican Republic. Wherever I go, people will stare at me, continue to stare at me and don't stop staring at me until I am out of sight. And no I promise I'm not being vein! This norm just isn't as common. So yes, you'll probably lose every staring contest.
3. This one is called TSSSSSSTTTT "Hello Beautiful," "Wowww rubia," y "Ay mamiii." This is what we U.Sers might call "catcalling." In the DR though these comments are more widely considered compliments. Starting from childhood most boys are 'trained' to compliment or show interest in women as they walk by on the street, or at least this is what I am told. Yes, at times commentary can be crude or vulgar, which no woman likes, but for the most part these "compliments" are apparently culturally accepted. Something to keep in mind though, as an American female aka, a small minority on the island, this commentary likely will happen more frequently then per say to your average Dominican woman.
4. Here Tigres are a different kind of animal AKA SANKI PANKIS. Quick summary: these Dominicans may be charming, they might even be good looking but they are no tiger. Tigre is a nickname for men who want to marry you and travel to America.
5. Taxi drivers might doubt your American intelligence. Don't ask them how much a ride costs, don't ask them to take you to their favorite bar, and DON'T get in one off the street (instead call a trusted one). Most Dominicans have a specific driver or company they call for a ride whom they know is safe. Even still, Taxi drivers will often try to overcharge you as you are a tourist who comes from the land of riches. True story: some friends asked a driver to take them to his favorite bar (because the driver didn't know where the bar they did want to go to was located). The driver drove them 10 minutes and stopped at a bar. This "drive" consisted of going around the block a few times, and then stopping a few buildings down from where they were originally picked up. Then he tried to charge them double the cost of a normal taxi ride. They laughed and gave him what the ride should have cost and left the car.
6. Despite the rumors, Dominicans DO like to party. On any given night the discotecas and bars can be found full of people. Wednesdays, ladies drink for free. On the weekends you cannot enter a discoteca unless you are WELL dressed: button ups, heels or nice sandals, dresses, dress shoes. Apparently, you can be turned down if you aren't dressed up enough. Night life doesn't start until around 11 and likes to continue in all hours of the night.
7. Never believe anything the restaurant and bar owners say when you walk down Playa Sosua. They all have the best prices. They all have the best food. They all have been saving a table JUST for you. They will try to entice you with free wifi, no tax, and free beach chairs. Most of them have free wifi and none of them have tax (here its included in the prices). BUT be careful with the beach chairs. I repeat be careful with the beach chairs. Not everyone offers a chair for free with your meal. They may make it seem like you get one for free but make sure to double check or else you will end up with an umbrella, but no chairs in order to lay under the umbrella. Side note: the sand is REALLY HOT but the beaches are BEAUTIFUL. Clear, warm (and very salty) water; white sand; fish.
8. "¿Cómo tu ta?" aka what did you just say? So there's Spanish right, and then theres Dominican Spanish. Whatever you thought you knew about Spanish before you came to the DR is wrong. Just kidding, but you might feel that way at first. Dominican accents are really strong and thick. They like to cut off the ends and beginning of words and make up words (kinda like Bostonians right?) and speak spanglish and add tus. Dominicans hate S's. Its really fun. But don't worry, you'll catch on and get the hang of it. This one I gave you means, "¿Cómo estás?"
And soooo, the list most definitely goes on, but you'l just have to find out for yourself when you come here on your own, right?. In the next 3 months, 3 weeks and 1 day (but who's counting) I will continue to become immersed in and learn about the culture here in the Dominican Republic. Although a lot of it is different from what I am used to, I find comfort in the things that remain the same across cultures; the love for family and friends, the lighthearted jokes and the kind gestures. A small smile goes a long way. These are important lessons and they address the realities of entering another culture and country, new and different from your own. The DR, along with any other country in the world, does not have the same history, values, government or culture as the U.S.; something easy to forget when you have only vacationed in another country and not actually had the opportunity to live there. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn, grow and understand.
