You asked a question about why this happened and I answered. I didn't say that was what I thought, or that I think that's correct. I'm telling you that this is how people who screw you think here. Plus, I gave examples on how people can protect themselves. Then you nag me saying that it's never right trying to screw someone over. Give me a break!
- Thread starter DRDone
- Start date
Understanding the Dominican Mentality
- Status
Are you kidding? Do I really have to explain myself why I thought your comment was no fun?
Well, I guess they actually could say it.
But why on earth ought they say sorry, if they do not give a **** about it anyhow, huh? :bunny:
donP
I have been surprised by the number of me culpas that I've heard in the last six months. I guess my training is working LOL.
I am not so interested in the "I am sorry" part because honestly at times I do not know how sincere it is. I would rather someone just own up to it. I have had my share of "disappointments" I guess you could call them but some were my fault. But it still bothers me to no end how taking advantage of someone is just a everyday part of life here, like it is normal. I am sure it happens to gringos and Dominicans alike. I am the type of person if I do not like you well I do not like you. I am not going to spend the whole year talking about what a horrible piece of cr*p you are then at Christmas pretend like your my long lost friend.I see that all the time here. It always amazes me. Sorry just my thoughts...
Some one said earlier that Dominicans don't carry a grudge. Are you kidding ? Agree with you donP. Revenge killings here are notorius. Feuds that go on for generations. And not just Domincans against Dominicans.
you (we) wont be able to understand them, because you can travel....have experience, travel, education...can move leave go where you want to...they cant...they dont make trouble for themselves(rat) or finger peeps. y make an enemy??? lives 2 blocks away....
your worker is surviving eating and sleeping without you...he /they steal /get extra 300 dp extra well thats great life just returned to normal and dont have to go clean/work tomorrow,,,,he he he
your worker is surviving eating and sleeping without you...he /they steal /get extra 300 dp extra well thats great life just returned to normal and dont have to go clean/work tomorrow,,,,he he he
Sure, some gringos have made some mistakes in the past, but that's why pencils have erasers.
This is good advice. I learned this the hard way when I had a car painted. The guy wanted several thousand pesos, with paint, bondo and labor included in the price. I gave him 1/2 and he promptly disappeared. He appeared about a week later and I learned that he had thrown the money around like a big shot, living "the life". Then he wanted more. I told him that there was no more money until the job was completed. It was done, and done well, in about 2 days. Lesson learned.
In Guatemala there is a saying, in Spanish: "M?sica pagada no se toca bien". The meaning is obvious: If you pay in advance, there is no motivation for the worker to do a superior job. If you haven't paid him yet he may suppose (rightly) that if he does a better job then he may get a tip; if you do tip, make sure that he knows that it is extra and that you don't feel that you were cheating him at the outset with a low price.
I like the analysis of the no win-win situation. Of course, different people have different ways of thinking and in this fast-changing world no two people think exactly alike. Having said that, the no win-win theory is probably more valid now than ever before.
*Comment on the forgoing: We are in a globalized world. Just remember that the Dominicans have no exclusive right to this thinking... it is becoming more and more popular. Wall Street has had thinking for decades. :rambo:
How is this related to WS. They are making money and you didn't get any of it. No win-win just win-nothing?
Great thread,
I have my own personal experiences. With my project I am lucky to have a gringo who has lived in R.D.20+ years who knows the culture and speaks spanish and married to a Dominican.
We use a Dominican for the concrete work. Junior hires the guys and we only talk business with Junior. One day, when the pump house was near completion two workers started complaining about money. I kept quiet, Thomas told them not to mix and concrete. We called Junior and told him he needs to tell his guy, who ever isn't happy pick up Thier tools and leave. We have 10 guys who want to work. Junior said just that and that was the end of . The job was done quickly, correctly and looked fantastic. We set a chain of command and stuck to it. I the owner do not deal with the help, out side of general conversation. I alway show the same respect I show to everyone. Thomas deals with the guy we hired and junior deals with his crew. This way the crew saves face, and junior is the bad guy, not the rich gringo. Plus we say what we do, and do what we say. No flip flopping.
I don't expect local to understand money in general. They don't have the opportunity to make lots of it, how to manage what they have , forget about them understand how money can make money. Maybe in a couple of generations the average person will. Not in today's world.
Also I agree with the other posters, if you know the price ,pay it. Don't ask, that's a sign of weakness pay it and walk out. Be fair but firm, be firm but not aggressive , if your aggressive leave an out so that person can save face. Remember more guys, that's all they have, if you dont, be prepared for payback when you least expect it.
I have my own personal experiences. With my project I am lucky to have a gringo who has lived in R.D.20+ years who knows the culture and speaks spanish and married to a Dominican.
We use a Dominican for the concrete work. Junior hires the guys and we only talk business with Junior. One day, when the pump house was near completion two workers started complaining about money. I kept quiet, Thomas told them not to mix and concrete. We called Junior and told him he needs to tell his guy, who ever isn't happy pick up Thier tools and leave. We have 10 guys who want to work. Junior said just that and that was the end of . The job was done quickly, correctly and looked fantastic. We set a chain of command and stuck to it. I the owner do not deal with the help, out side of general conversation. I alway show the same respect I show to everyone. Thomas deals with the guy we hired and junior deals with his crew. This way the crew saves face, and junior is the bad guy, not the rich gringo. Plus we say what we do, and do what we say. No flip flopping.
I don't expect local to understand money in general. They don't have the opportunity to make lots of it, how to manage what they have , forget about them understand how money can make money. Maybe in a couple of generations the average person will. Not in today's world.
Also I agree with the other posters, if you know the price ,pay it. Don't ask, that's a sign of weakness pay it and walk out. Be fair but firm, be firm but not aggressive , if your aggressive leave an out so that person can save face. Remember more guys, that's all they have, if you dont, be prepared for payback when you least expect it.
Con dinero baila el perro. With money dances the dog.
M?sico pagado toca mal son. The paid musician plays a bad song.
M?sico pagado toca mal son. The paid musician plays a bad song.
Shortly after I bought My House I had some work done , I had a verbal agreement with a Dominican "maestro"
And I paid as I saw work done
the total Agreement was for 240,000 Pesos, He paid his men and I paid Materials with receipts
Darnedest thing, He was as reliable as an atomic clock for 3 months ! Protected my interests and did a really nice job !
Right up until about the last week ! I owed him (as far as he was concerned) RD$7000.00 of the $240,000 and we had a little bit of work to do, mostly just finish work. and he disappeared. Whats funny about it is that I had held back RD$10,000 (without telling him) And planned to surprise him with a final payment of RD$17,000.00 Of course he spent his money like crazy over the 3 months and to finalize the work it cost me RD$10,000, with another Maestro. So I Guess I was the winner ! LOL True story ! I have had several Jobs done , Pay as you feel the work is done and not more. Similar to a draw on most contracts in Canada , the US. You only get paid for work completed. Here it is just less formal.
And I paid as I saw work done
the total Agreement was for 240,000 Pesos, He paid his men and I paid Materials with receipts
Darnedest thing, He was as reliable as an atomic clock for 3 months ! Protected my interests and did a really nice job !
Right up until about the last week ! I owed him (as far as he was concerned) RD$7000.00 of the $240,000 and we had a little bit of work to do, mostly just finish work. and he disappeared. Whats funny about it is that I had held back RD$10,000 (without telling him) And planned to surprise him with a final payment of RD$17,000.00 Of course he spent his money like crazy over the 3 months and to finalize the work it cost me RD$10,000, with another Maestro. So I Guess I was the winner ! LOL True story ! I have had several Jobs done , Pay as you feel the work is done and not more. Similar to a draw on most contracts in Canada , the US. You only get paid for work completed. Here it is just less formal.
I believe that if you treat dominicans with respect that they do see past tomorrow and wont try to get over on you. I employ six dominicans for now over 3 years and not one has missed one day of work or taken a pesos from me. You receive what you give in this life.
- Status