Go slow. Don't become best buddies with the waiter or the waitress or the whatever at the hotel. If you are living in a condo, learn about the city where you are living. See who owns the hotels and where they live and play. If in a place like Santo Domingo frequent the recreational areas such as Mirador Sur and strike up conversations with the people there. Go to the cockfights at the Bonetti Arena on Luperon..do not bet, but watch the fights and learn what is happening. Be nice. Play golf at Las Lagunas and meet good people.
Same thing in Santiago. Go to Amaprosan, or the Golf Club or the Regional Theater, or the Jazz Night at SOHO where nicer people meet. Go to ball games in the winter. Sit in the Palco section, get season tickets and meet your neighbors. Go to the Centro Leon for their exhibitions and cultural events and meet people.
Avoid "tipicos, " Car washes, bachata or any music festivals not in the National Theater or Bellas Artes or the Regional Theater in Santiago. Be reserved. Eat breakfast at a nice hotel. Smile but do not be pushy.
Dress like a person of solid background: Khakis, shoes and socks, collared shirt or Polo. Neat and clean.No bling. Jeans are fine.
Join Gold's Gym....or practice a sport such as tennis. If you have bucks, join one of the clubs: Arroyo Hondo, Los Prados, Naco in Santo Domingo (Santo Dgo CC if you have BIG bucks), or the Tennis Club of POP or Gurabito or Amaprosan or Santiago Golf Club in Santiago.
Anything else? No need to associate with anyone in uniform.
HB