racist treatment is par for the course in the DR. i have two friends from NJ who visit on a regular basis, and they always reserve one night to go to an upscale restaurant. we made the joint decision that i do not accompany them on that particular night, because the service they get when i am not with them is completely different than that which they get when i am. it is so obvious that we all know what is behind it. if two white people are accompanied by a person of color, the estabishment reflexively believes that the dark skinned person is operating in a server `capacity to the white persons, such as a guide. they absolutely abhor the idea of having servant types eating in their place of business. it is a class thing.
i remember a particular night when we went to the Argentine Steakhouse, and the waiter brought the bill to me, and asked me to whch of my friends he should present the bill. i told him to give it to me, since i was the one paying. the guy almost died from shock. this could not be possible. a black guy with two white people, and he was the one spending the money.
it is not unusual, as you stated.
That is sad. I have had similar experiences in other countries when dining with my wife. As another poster mentioned, I am not sure it is racism.
More classism and culture. In the DR in many cases the waiters themselves are people of color. They would likely never be dining in a higher end restaurant.
If they were lucky enough to go to a upscale place, it is highly likely the white guy would pay the tab.
I don't think your not going will help the situation. They will continue to no understand that color has zero to do with station in life etc.
Having the black guy pay the check, sends a more clear message.
My wife's first trip was to argentina, uruguay and chile. In argentina we experienced rvery similar treament and uruguay was actually worse.
At the time, she returned to Hotel crying. Could not understand how people would treat her differently because of her color. I explained that they were the ones with the problem and she shouldn't give a crap what they think.
I did research and found that 90% of women of color in Uruguay are domestic help. You won't even find women of color working in the restaurants which is different from DR.They rarely see a woman of color that is not a maid, so hard for them to understand.
One night we went to Splendor. A steakhouse famous for being where politicians and movers and shakers dine. I didn't know that, just heard they had great steaks.
We went and the steaks were very good. At one point the waiter brought a snooty couple to the table next to us and asked if it was OK. The wife looked down at my wife, turned her nose up and said "no". They sat at a table across the room.
The woman was giving us looks all during dinner. My wife had already learned the way to deal with snobs. Very similar to your approach.
She ordered a bottle of Rutini and did the whole tasting ritual while I ordered Quilmes. White guy with no class. . . lol. When the bill came she grabbed it and paid. The snobby woman looked horrified.
Now, if they are not treating you equally to other customers, that is BS. I still think not going is not the best move. Shove it in their face or better explain to owner why you are going to take your guests to a different restaurant.
Which argentine steakhouse was it? My wife and I have eaten at all the argentinan places in santo domingo and the ones that used to be in STI.We get treated well in all of them.
I have no doubt that if my wife went to these restaurants without me, she would get same service. If not, we would never dine there again. After I explained to the owner why we would no longer dine there.
In santo domingo, I can honestly say the only place my wife got looks was at Sofia's. The staff were fine, but other diners were giving my wife looks. Honestly in Sofia'sI am probably
getting looks as well. Most of the diners there could buy and sell me, but I don't give a crap. Again my wife ordered bottle of wine and paid the bill. You drop 350 bucks for dinner the staff had better treat you equally, the other patons? I couldn't care less. They are the ones with issues not us.
