The Foreigners Experience

How is it for foreigners living in Dominican Republic? Individuals experiences can vary, but with common good or bad similarities.

The foreigner experience can work either in two ways, good or bad, with the majority of the time being good in favor for the foreigner. The common “bad” scenario that a foreigner can experience is being over priced for things or viewed as an ATM machine. Foreigners move to Dominican Republic to be included in paying the same cost as the local Dominicans pay, not to pay higher. Food for thought, could you imagine if the US were charging foreigners more just cause? In the DR, I must say from my own experience and with speaking to friends and other expats it's not a common practice be overcharged out here.  

Santo Domingo

My experience in Dominican Republic as a foreigner has been great so far. Honestly, much better than I would have expected. I’ve been to Dominican Republic once in the past before settling. At that time, I was a wide eyed, fresh new tourist, and unknowingly I managed to meet an interesting character, let's say by the name of Jake. How it happened? I was having a presidente in a Colmado (corner store) and this man (Jake) approached me asking if I would like to buy a bottle of cologne that he was carrying. Walking around Santo Domingo selling a non-packaged bottle of cologne doesn't give the impression that this was a legit cologne businessman either. Also, the cologne brand was a clear knock off. When Jake realizes that I was a foreigner his asking price of the cologne went up significantly, and he became more persistent with asking me to buy it. The other gentlemen that he previously asked before me, he had a nonchalant approach with them. By Jake knowing that I was a foreigner, he told me that other than Spanish he spoke 5 other languages, which included English, French, Dutch, and German. That was impressive, I asked how did he learn so many languages? He replied by talking and listening to foreigners like myself. From time to time, I would hang out in this quiet low traffic area, and one day I see Jake there. He insisted on me to hang out in a livelier area. I thought, yea why not, plus the place was actually much closer to the airbnb I was staying at. As I sat down, and before I could even look at the menu, this man already ordered a small bottle of rum, beers, soda, and cigarettes with the assumption that the foreigner will take care of it all. I guess that’s how it goes? it wasn't a big issue, it just wasn't something we discussed, or what I was use too. Jake was introducing me to many different people and ordering shots on my tab lol. Someone even bought me and Jake a shot on their own tab. Everyone was friendly and at this time I felt the most welcomed since I arrived to this country. It was a fun experience; I was glad that I hung out by this livelier place. Anyhow, the bill came and it was far lower than what I was expecting, I thought they undercharged me at first, but everything was there on the bill. I couldn't believe how low the bill was that I even ordered Jake another beer. For my appreciation, I offered Jake a brand-new dress shirt that I had at my airbnb just a few blocks away. He was so appreciative of the dress shirt that he held it up over his head, and in one motion as he turned around, he oh so sneakily grabbed my cologne off the dresser with the intent of using the dress shirt to block my view. Unlikely for Jake, I saw his move as if it played out in slow motion. At this moment I calmly took back my cologne, gave him the dress shirt and let him go on his way. 

If you are a foreigner, you will always be seen as a foreigner. It doesn't mean anything bad; it just means that you should expect to be viewed as someone that has opportunities in life, and access to money. Don’t take it personal, or isolate yourself, it's not from everyone who you encounter either. It works two ways, because on the other hand most people will find favor in you. A foreigner is seen in a good light, as if all foreigners are educated, classy, hardworking, career driven, good people, and we know that's not always necessarily true lol. People are people no matter where you go in this world, there are good people and then there are those that are better to stay away from. Learn quickly who are those undesirables and stay clear from them.  

The good life

The good Ol foreigner experience has so many “good” examples to choose from. With so many reasons why, foreigners take a vacation to Dominican Republic and then decide to stay permanently. Not just a top travel destination, but many Americans and Canadians are relocating to this island every year and calling it home. The Dominican people are very welcoming to foreigners and love to hear their stories. A foreigner talking about where they are from and what they love about Dominican Republic is always an enjoyable conversation. A foreigner is always welcomed to the dinner table. In Dominican culture when entering or leaving someone's home, it's expected to greet everyone, and that means everyone from the baby, to the family dog, and the pet bird, everyone must be greeted lol. Not doing so would be viewed as bad manners, a foreigner will be excused for not knowing, and can get away with that, but it’s inexcusable for a Dominican. Landlords will rent to foreigners pretty easy, being fully aware that the foreigner doesn't have a credit check, job Information, or letter from previous landlord. These are tenant requirements that Dominicans have to meet. Being a foreigner with the right attitude, one can find themselves in the circles with some of the more successful people of the country. The foreigner experience in Dominican Republic is quite like a privilege, unbothered in a tranquility of peaceful living, with the good far out weighing any bad. 

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