Dealing with Dominicans in a Professional/Business setting

InsanelyOne

Bronze
Oct 21, 2008
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28
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I'll first give a little background. I'm a software engineer by trade. I work best with ones and zeros. I'm very logical and pragmatic. I'm all about the easiest path from A to B. I do okay in social settings but I'm not Mr. Personality. I'm generally regarded as a "nice guy but kind of shy". Unfortunately, my shyness is interpreted as rudeness here. As you might surmise, I have a hard time dealing with a lot of Dominicans when it comes to professional/business stuff (real estate, banking, lawyers, etc). I feel like it's a weird dance and I don't know the steps. I understand Dominicans are all about personal relationships but I just want to get the task at hand completed. I'm sure my directness is not appreciated.

I'm trying to figure out just how much I can push people. A classic example. I'm working with a woman on a potential real estate transaction. I invariably have to ask multiple times before I can get a useful answer. Trying to schedule anything is a chore. She will say something like "We can meet in the afternoon". I'll text back "how about 2:00pm?" ... no reply. I wait a while and text again.... still no reply. I finally call (for whatever reason, we do a lot of texting instead of calling) and she says she couldn't text me back because she couldn't meet me at 2:00 and that she was waiting until she knew exactly when she could meet me before she was going to text me with the time. My logical/pragmatic brain just explodes when I have to deal with crap like this. It doesn't make any sense. Just tell me immediately you don't know what time you can meet. In my opinion Dominicans have zero critical thinking skills.

This is just one of many examples of how this place makes me crazy. So, here's my question. How much can I bother and hound these people to get straight answers before they get fed up with me? I don't want to sabotage my efforts.

Thoughts/Advice?
 

the gorgon

Platinum
Sep 16, 2010
33,997
83
0
insanely, you will just have to understand that if you are dealing with the Dominican mentality, the norms to which you have been exposed during the course of your life have no relevance. Dominicans have no concept of organised behavior. sad, but true. always late, which is why they all drive like bats out of hell, trying to make up time, because they left an hour late . do not expect any kind of normative conduct. i wrote 3 emails to one of the principals of the trade board for some information, and gave up on the project after not getting any response for over a year. i wrote the Barbados ministry of commerce an email late last Friday afternoon, and by 10am monday i had 3 responses, which included links to other agencies which would be relevant. yes, Dominicans are party animals, but not serious people. there, i said it. now, stone me.
 

CFA123

Silver
May 29, 2004
3,512
413
83
Thoughts/Advice?

Get used to it.

Not a smartazz answer, just reality.
You will run into a lot of people who are neither logical nor pragmatic.
Yet, they can accomplish a lot when they want to, however inefficiently from our point of view.

In my opinion Dominicans have zero critical thinking skills.
It's a rare and valuable commodity here, yes. Seek and you will eventually find.
 

the gorgon

Platinum
Sep 16, 2010
33,997
83
0
insanely, you could offer to pay off someone. that always works. it seems to be the only motivation that is readily understood here.
 

InsanelyOne

Bronze
Oct 21, 2008
895
28
28
But how much can I push them? If I keep calling and texting and sending emails, at what point do they get annoyed and will just screw me over?
 

Chip

Platinum
Jul 25, 2007
16,772
429
0
Santiago
Yes, shyness and directness are considered rude here, been there done that.

As in most things in life, things that can't bend will be broken.

As far as non committal responses and general lackadaisical attitude towards deadlines, what I try to do is make sure the people I work with on a consistent basis understand my expectations and those that I have relatively few interactions I just make sure that I plan in advance adjust accordingly for any time delays or cost increases. I try to think of them as a "box" and always plan on the box being much "bigger" than they would have me believe. :) Also, I generally try convince people in a professional way of doing thing's the "American" way such as trying to be under budget and on time will make them more successful but what's perceived as sour attitude can defeat that purpose. Therefore, I urge anyone who spends any amount of time dealing with Dominicans to learn the art of conversation and always ask how they are doing and with a smile of course in person.
 

La Profe_1

Moderator: Daily Headline News, Travel & Tourism
Oct 15, 2003
2,294
870
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I work in an office where I am the only non-Dominican. It can be frustrating at times, but I find that the occasional talk with the person who is most likely to be "difficult" does wonders.

Like you, I have encountered the "too direct" and "not friendly enough" issues. What saves things for me is that ultimate person-in-charge is solidly behind whatever I do - and the others know it. Even in this case,
 

La Profe_1

Moderator: Daily Headline News, Travel & Tourism
Oct 15, 2003
2,294
870
113
I work in an office where I am the only non-Dominican. It can be frustrating at times, but I find that the occasional talk with the person who is most likely to be "difficult" does wonders.

Like you, I have encountered the "too direct" and "not friendly enough" issues. What saves things for me is that ultimate person-in-charge is solidly behind whatever I do - and the others know it. Even in this case, I try to make the effort to talk seriously with the person about the importance of whatever it is that I need. Otherwise, it appears to her that I am "going over her head" to get the cooperation I need.

My office is a non-profit and my work brings in a lot of the funds that keeps it going. Based on that fact, I do tend to get more cooperation than one would expect in this work environment.

ETA: If this is a double post, I ran up against the 10 minute limit for editing.
 

bachata

Aprendiz de todo profesional de nada
Aug 18, 2007
5,341
1,246
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Hmm, Am I Dominican??? I'm a very responsible guy I start working at 4:00 pm and every day by 3:30 I'm looking for a parking spot to park my truck at the parking lot of the company I work for.
When I was driving for tourist in DR I was one hour earlier parked at the resort's parking lots.:disappoin

JJ
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
40,964
936
113
But how much can I push them? If I keep calling and texting and sending emails, at what point do they get annoyed and will just screw me over?
Maybe they don't want to work with you.

Instead of pestering them, move to greener pastures.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
Maybe they don't want to work with you.

Instead of pestering them, move to greener pastures.

Aaaahhh.... insight !!

Find a person who listens to the beat of the drum..... there are people who are timely.

My driver never misses...always 10 minutes early

Housestaff shows up like clockwork.. within 5-10 minutes every day.... rain or shine
Sometimes earlier - to work in the vegetable garden on their own time (yes, they get food from it)

You don't find good people by accident.... you search and you cultivate... what's new?
Its the same anywhere.

Don't be offended, but I feel that sometimes people show up here and their expectations are bit high...
they expect to be served ...... good service starts with the employer.....

Its a job for both sides of the fence.... employer and employee.
 

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
13,370
3,150
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You have to take control of the situation.

Don't ask anyone when they can meet you; tell them the exact day, time, and place. Nod your head up and now with a light smile. Most of the time, they will accept; unless they truly have something planned at that time.

If you have to motivate them to do something in the short term (ie. within a few hours or less), look at them in the eyes and don't look away or blink, tell them firmly what they have to do, and as soon as you're done giving the order; cut eye contact, turn your body and walk away.

Most of the time, it will be done; no questions asked no whining no bs.

And don't try to set up meeting dates over the phone and much less via texting, do it in person.

Take control, otherwise you're a mat to be stepped on.
 

RacerX

Banned
Nov 22, 2009
3,390
376
0
But how much can I push them? If I keep calling and texting and sending emails, at what point do they get annoyed and will just screw me over?

She will never get annoyed because the person you are dealing with isnt taking it seriously.

If this were food and she needed you to pay her so she could buy some she would be consistent.

You are better off looking for another agent and make it known you want one who knows the "American rules". People who have done business with foreigners know what it is like and appreciate the one thing you do offer, stability of payment and future opportunities. With you, you already know how much you want to spend and that you are going to spend money. Now if she doesnt want it, it is her loss. But at least you know from the prime example how motivated she is to get it.

Directness is effective for me. You can as mealy-mouthed as you want to like Chip, but I find it is just a waste of time and much more confusing, because now you have a pleasant demeanor but are no closer to accomplishing your tasks.
 
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Criss Colon

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
21,843
191
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yahoomail.com
The Miami Florida Chamber-of-Commerce Listed The DR, As THE WORST PLACE IN...

Latin America to "TRY" and do business!!

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Chip

Platinum
Jul 25, 2007
16,772
429
0
Santiago
Latin America to "TRY" and do business!!

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That's the pot calling the kettle black because 10 out 0f 10 developers, engineers and architects would say Miami is the worst place to do business in the States! :)
 

beeza

Silver
Nov 2, 2006
3,480
732
113
That's the pot calling the kettle black because 10 out 0f 10 developers, engineers and architects would say Miami is the worst place to do business in the States! :)

That's because Miami is full of Dominicans. ha ha!
 

Criss Colon

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
21,843
191
0
38
yahoomail.com
As ALWAYS,"Chup" Puts His "Pro-Dominicana" SPIN" On ANYTHING Not "Viva La Republica"

Enough for his "Vista Rosa" !

He has to hurry,this is "El Dia de La Raptura"!

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Chip

Platinum
Jul 25, 2007
16,772
429
0
Santiago
Enough for his "Vista Rosa" !

He has to hurry,this is "El Dia de La Raptura"!

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Soy catolico compai.