CRIME... 🏝️ Country and people in the Dominican Republic

followmikecee (61)in #life • 6 years ago (edited)

Hola mis Steemians

Today I want to pick up a topic, which is on many info pages, as well as in forums, by residents or also vacationers partly completely "torn":

Criminality, rip-offs, assaults etc.

By so many, very negative reports, often holiday-makers become insecure and partly they are even afraid to make holidays here. But the Dominican Republic is a beautiful holiday country and has a lot to offer. Be this cultural or just the many different and beautiful beaches.

I also don't know why everything is so exaggerated here over and over again; why the Dominican is always portrayed as a criminal? If we are honest, it is the case in every tourist country that where there are a lot of holidaymakers, the raids, rip-offs and criminality are higher than in other parts of the country.

Basically everyone should inform themselves extensively about this country before going on holiday, so that they know that the Dominican Republic is a very poor country, where many have to fight daily for bare survival. In addition, the Swiss franc or the euro are very strong here, so that the vacationer simply can't see the reality so easily.

Around 30% of the Dominican population live in moderate or even extreme poverty. And about 50 % of the people live in areas with undersupply. These include, above all, deficiencies in electricity and water supply, inadequate roads and much more. These results come from a study conducted by the World Bank (SIUBEN).

If you spend here for example 500 Euro pocket money in 2 weeks, that's about 28.000 RD$/Peso ! And if he is lucky, the waiter in the hotel earns 6000 RD$ a month (including tips) ! Of course the Dominican also sees and understands that you still need a flight and the hotel in which you live.

So the thought comes up that basically all holidaymakers are millionaires, which is not the case. Of course, he doesn't see that you might have to save the whole year for your holiday, or that you might even have taken out a loan for it.

And now perhaps your appearance will be added, which may tempt him into committing crimes:

excessive jewellery
expensive watches
always paying with a 2000RD$-note!

Jewelry is best left at home or deposited in the hotel safe. It's best to buy a cheap watch if you can't do without it, and always pay with small bills. Tips should also always be appropriate, not just converted, but adapted to the country. If you know that the Dominicans work for RD$ 4000 to 6000 or even less per month, 100RD$ tips are much too much.

In many cases you can easily avoid rip-offs by asking for the prices in advance, e.g. at the hotel reception. It is also common here to ask or negotiate the price in advance. You shouldn't be afraid of it under any circumstances. The Dominicans trade in everything and no price is in stone.

As a holiday guest you should avoid dark corners and unknown districts. Since very few of them speak Spanish, you won't necessarily notice when people talk about you and secondly, it also tempts the Dominican here again. So it's best not to provoke, but rather to stay where other holidaymakers are, even if you might feel like adventure from time to time.

From his mentality, the Dominican is more open than we are. That's why it's completely normal to talk to strangers here, so always be friendly, even if you may not immediately understand what he wants. But let him feel that your ear is paying attention, that you don't see him as an enemy, but make him understand that you don't understand his language. There is nothing worse for a Dominican than to feel that he is not accepted by you.

In the more than 3 years that I have lived here, I have never been attacked by the fact that I basically live in the midst of the locals, that I do not isolate myself and above all that I seek to live together with the Dominicans. If you do this, you can live here in peace and quiet, and you don't have to be afraid all the time.