I think this thread has a few important issues:
1. Never ever upset a Dominican. It doesn't matter if you are local or expat, white, black or green, they will often take their revenge. Many of the murders over recent years have been revenge murders of one type or another.
2. One of the great things about living here is the lack of PC. If you are blonde they call you rubia, fat - gordo. It can be hard to take when people keep telling you you are fat or have a spot on your nose which you have spent 2 hours trying to cover up with make up - but that is the Dominican way. It does not make you racist if you descibe the colour of a person nor prejudiced in anyway if you describe someones appearance. Too many first world hang ups in my opinion,
3. It may be important for the tourism industry and for the country in general to recognise different trends amongst tourism and newly arrived ex pats, The basic rule of marketing is to know your market. If Sosua now has more African americans, americans who are black, whatever we want to call them, who are into a certain type of culture, then those who have businesses in Sosua should cater for their needs and wants. The Costa del Sol in Spain is full of greasy fish and chips shops, and English pubs as it is full of British tourists and that is what they want.
4. Juan Dolio has had an influx of Russians and East Europeans over recent years. The first church here is about to be built. Not Catholic, not evangelical, but Russian Orthodox!! Loads of Italian snowbirds, hence loads of Italian restaurants.
5. Personally I am not into trousers round the knees and baggy underpants showing - but both my Dominican step kids 19 and 21 do it, and no amount of telling will change that. They think it is cool man!! Seem to remember my mother had the same comments about my mini skirts and platform boots!!
My two penneth
Matilda