Are Dominicans Kind?
The biggest culture shocks I've had as a foreigner being in the Dominican Republic is how quickly a stranger will come to your aid to help you. Also how sharing and generously kind Dominicans are
I'm not sure if the Dominican Republic has always been a motorcycle country, or if it's more becoming that. Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters are everywhere, and oddly enough it just came to me that I haven’t actually seen anyone riding a bicycle lol. Unfortunately, with any vehicle there’s accidents and I’ve seen the fair share right in front of my balcony here in Dominican Republic. It's always the bike rider speeding or doing a stunt which for some reason they love to do on this particular street. He loses control and runs into a car or the sidewalk. It’s never a bad injury, more-like the walk of shame and he’s embarrassed and hoping no-one knows him in the area. I look around and nobody is filming, nobody is laughing, nobody is grilling him. Locals rush to his attention with concern that he is not severely injured. They grab his belongings that may have fallen on the road and pass it to him, they help lift the bike out of the road from the other incoming cars. Never do they yell at him or talk down to him. A few people or more talking with him for some time and giving him whatever he may need. If its water or band aids they’ll get it from the nearest home or store that has it. Usually this takes about 10 minutes and then the biker decides to say his goodbyes and thanks to all, then gets back on the road. The whole time no phones came out to get a picture. Dominican locals are only concern with helping someone in need.
Having friends that farm or live near farms in Dominican Republic has its perks. From my personal experience those in farming are very generous. If they are coming your way for whatever reason they will drop off a bag or box full of fruits and vegetables. This has happened countless times since I’ve been here and from different sources too. A good friend here in DR one time gave us a pretty big box that I didn't think we could finish it all because of the amount, there was so much in there. This box was filled with green bananas, yellow plantains, green plantains, frog plantains, mangos, oranges, guavas, and of course avocados. I wasn't expecting any or had an idea what was going on. I was just asked to grab something from downstairs and here comes a box full of fruits and vegetables. This kind person didn't even have time to hang out, it was “hello how are you? this is for you, bye and have a wonderful day”. It's always appreciated when we are thought of and given these foods directly from someone's farm.
When I first got to this town, I would see people walking and wave at vehicles (mainly motorbikes) and jump on them and they drive away. Nothing unusual, I thought they were taxi’s or later to find out “motoconcho”. Then I learned that it’s not taxis, it's simply a friend or neighbor seeing someone they know and offering them a ride. It happens so much here that it’s easy to believe they are taxis. One day after coming out of the grocery store it was raining. One of those where it wasn't raining before or showing no signs of rain, until you cash out and walk out and it’s pouring. So, we walked out the grocery store with confusion on our faces as in what now. Out of nowhere, our neighbor recognizes us. He then told us to jump in his car and he would drive us home. It all happened so fast I thought he was a taxi, so when I pulled out some money to give him, he laughed and asked if I didn't recognize that he is my neighbor.
Probably the most culture shock of them all is how Dominicans share food. I’ve been on the receiving end of this where it’s been more than enough food to eat 2 meals. Whether from family, friends or strangers it is custom for Dominicans to share food. In many formal and informal ways food will be shared. Unexpectedly your neighbor would just come knocking on your door with freshly made food wrapped up to give to you. Or if your partner is at their family's house, the family would send a warm plate of food back with your partner for you. I’ve seen store owners cook food then pass around plates to neighbors. These kind gestures go on all the time out here, sharing food is very common in Dominican Republic. Another kind gesture Dominicans do in regards to food is called “ñapa”. The term comes from when you buy something like rice, sugar or plantains and the salesperson will give you a little extra on top.
So many acts of kindness you see here in Dominican Republic every day. This is the way life should be, and why not? If I have and my friend or neighbors don't have, won’t it feel better to share with them? of course! Where did we go so wrong in society when we would rather take out our phones and record someone in distress? Being there and caring for each other should be the way. Here in DR you can see in people day to day how they care for each other. Strangers, non-family, it doesn't matter. They depend on each other to do the right thing. It's not about what you get in return more than it is what if you were on the other end. Dominican people are really kind and generous without expectations, that's the culture.