Encountering the Culture

   

            This blog post is actually Jonathan’s idea. He has listened to my verbal analysis and answered questions and the other day he suggested I write a post about my experiences. So, here it is!

            One of the biggest cultural differences between the USA and the Dominican Republic is the speed at which things move. In the States everything is punctual and precise. That is not the case here! What would take 10 minutes in the USA takes a minimum of 45-60 minutes here, and that’s moving fast. For example, Jonathan had to go to the bank to reactivate his debit card. It had been inactive long enough that a new one needed to be issued. Not a big deal, they hand it to you over the counter, you call a toll-free number and poof, you are good to go (allow 30 minutes after calling before first use to make sure the activation worked). This would take maybe 10 minutes going into a bank branch in the states. It took 45 minutes and a bouncing between bankers before Jonathan was given a new card. But that was a fast pace for the culture. Ordering supplies at the hardware store takes 3x times longer than it should due to polite conversation and the laidback nature of taking your order. The neighborhood hardware stores (called ferreterias) pull all the supplies for you and there is a lot of discussion of the item pulled. Only in the big stores can you actually pull your own items and even then there is a lot of looking at it and asking questions about it. Now, I know I am not knowledgeable in tools, but a 2.5 inch wood chisel is a 2.5 inch wood chisel, no need to measure and discuss it. What are you discussing anyway? How the metal was made?  I did buy a couple of tools for my Dad while still at home and it was a fairly straightforward process even for someone who is not a tool guru. I walked in Lowes, went to the correct section, matched the tool, asked a question if necessary, paid, and drove home. No standing there discussing anything or holding polite conversation just in-and-out so work could continue.   

            Bartering, that’s another drastic difference. Although we do barter some in the States, it’s nothing like here. It’s a given that you will barter over a lot of things like souvenirs, taxi rides, street vendors, open air markets, etc so you almost never pay the stated price. At one store I was admiring a piece of jewelry (I love the bling) and the man stated 900 pesos. When I said no he immediately dropped it to 600 and when I pointed out a different thing to Jonathan (just because I was expecting to see it there) he named me a price for two pieces and sacked them before I could respond. After bartering back and forth I got only one for 500 but the bartering was required for a purchase (one I originally had no intention of making). Jonathan also barters taxi prices, something I have never seen done in the States, but is normal here. The taxis are already so cheap compared to the States but Jonathan knows when they are taking advantage of me and my non-Spanish, the situation, or just trying to make a little extra cash. He does not stiff or low-ball them, but at the same time he knows that 400 pesos for a 10 minute ride is way too high 150-200 is much more reasonable and the going (ha ha, pun!) rate. However, the bartering volute requires the taxi to start high so that both can compromise and feel good about themselves; the one for getting a good deal, the other for being generous and dropping the price.    

             Another big cultural difference is motorcycles. Here they are abundant but you have to watch them like crazy. Most street robberies occur from motorcycles because they are fast, easy to maneuver and very common. One thing though is that they are easy to hear. When walking if we hear one, we turn and look at it so they know we know they are there. If deemed a threat, there are several options but fortunately, we have not had an issue as of yet. This is usually because Jonathan walks on the outside and my purse and any bags we have are between the two of us, not making an easy snatch-and-grab for the bikes. The best thing is to have nothing visible which is easiest when we both have pockets. Money in a pocket, phone in a pocket jewelry that needs to be shed in a pocket, nothing visible = no target. Even though I am not in a dangerous area very often, Jonathan has already taught me to watch motorcycles regardless of the area; the ones to be super aware of? Two riders (particularly 2 male riders) on a fast bike.  

            One hobby that Jonathan and I share is people watching. When I tell this to people I get two basic reactions: 1) that’s creepy 2) it’s interesting (The latter reaction is usually by other people watchers). However, I can learn a lot about a person by just watching them. When someone challenged me on that I told them things about them that I noticed by watching. It unnerved them a little when they discovered what could be picked up on by an observer. Anyway, I say all of that to prep this next cultural encounter: walking like a Dominican. This sound weird but it’s true; Dominicans have their own style of walking. There is also a difference between Dominican men and Dominican women strides. The women usually walk with a firm command and the guys a little more laid back, firm and sauntering…especially pronounced in the late teens-mid 20s bunch. The way couples walk together is also interesting, usually allowing me to tell who is in charge of the relationship and if the man is abusive. I am currently working on my “Dominican walk” and I have already put it into practice on solo adventures to the pharmacy, colomado and ferreteria. Jonathan’s Dominican walk never went away but did lessen in the States, its coming back here though! He does not saunter but he does have a laidback and firm walk…especially in the more sketchy areas. It is interesting to observe this slight change in his stride and it clues me in on the areas we are in, that and his eyes as his head pivots more in sketchy areas. But that is another section altogether.

              A huge cultural thing here is baseball. Big shock I know, but it is a BIG deal here. Imagine American’s passion about football and multiply it by 2 or 3 and you have the Dominican’s passion about baseball. The playoffs were going on when we first arrived in the DR and now the 9 game final series is in progress. Jonathan’s team leads 4-1 and watching the reactions of people doing a game is hysterical! The other day we streamed a game and watched it in our house. Jonathan, his Mom, his friend Ronald, and I were there and I enjoyed watching Jonathan and Ronald almost more than the game! In February the Caribbean series is being held in Santo Domingo with teams from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Venezuela coming to play. That also proves to be an interesting dynamic!

             Public transportation is also a bit of a culture shock. I have ridden in taxis and buses before, that's not a big deal...however, here its VERY different! Dominicans cram as many people as they can into these buses, taxis, motorcycles and trains. The train is fun...flat out fun....even crowded. I do have crowd anxiety (it is getting better but it still exists) but the train does not bother me. I look forward to trips on the train because it is fast, cheap and easy. it costs 20 pesos (about $0.45) to ride one way. I love it! The taxis are more expensive but I enjoy those rides as well because it allows me to learn the routes there and get to know my city pretty well. However, because they are more expensive ($3.00 to $6.00 for the distances we travel the most) Jonathan don't take them as much as I would like. However, buses and cars traveling set routes are only about 25 pesos ($0.50) per person so we take those a good amount of the time. Those get packed! They have 6 people + the driver in a 5 seat car and buses get so packed they have people on the sides...that usually happens only during rush hour though. It is certainly different from the States! 

            Another thing about public transportation is that it runs about every 5-10 minutes. the buses in Cincinnati ran every 60-90 minutes which made planning the day of errands hard and you had to stay on schedule or getting a bus home would be hard. Not so here! It is actually not stressful in that regard, especially because I know if we miss the last car or bus of the day, we can get a taxi without an issue. However, due to needing to be home before or shortly after dark, missing the last car or bus is unlikely. 

           There is so much more I could talk about but I am going to stop here for now. Let me know if there is something in particular you would like to know about and I will try to address it. Until next week, adios all y'all!