Strange experience in dominican disco in Amsterdam

Hi everybody,

This weekend I went to a dominican dance club in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Holland). We went with four people, three white girls (including myself) and one dominican guy, who is the boyfriend of one of my friends. It turned out to be a really strange and different experience.

This disco was in De Bijlmer, a not to great neighborhood just outside of Amsterdam, where mostly black people live from different countries all over the world. You hardly see any (read: NO) white people, especially not at night.

Anyway, we went and I was sure in for a night with a lot of dancing, especially when I heard all the great music which I heard just 2 weeks ago on my holiday in DR. However .. it went totally different. In the DR people are great when you go to local bars. Boys, girls .. they all make you feel welcome, dance with you, talk with you. In this club .. NOBODY talked to us, NOBODY asked us to dance, they totally ignored us. I danced maybe three songs, that's it! I usually go out 2 to 3 times a week to latin clubs, I dance a lot of salsa and I sure can dance merengue and bachata really good. In the DR, when people see you can dance, you'll never get a change to get back to your chair, and in this club .. we sat all night. In the beginning I felt like I discovered something wonderful in my own country, a place I could go to every week, to make me miss the DR a little bit less. But after being here one night, I'm very very sure I'll never go back again.

So I was just wondering how people experience dominican clubs in other countries. And I don't mean latin club, but really dominican clubs. What about the friendly people you meet in the DR? How come they are so different when you meet them in your own country?

So maybe someone can tell me their experience!

Thanks,

Alexandra

Re: Strange experience in dominican disco in Amste

Alexandra: Remember, when you visit another country as a tourist you are basicly a celebrity, someone different, almost a VIP. People will always be eager to help and show you their country, because they are proud of their land and want to make you feel welcome. In Amsterdam you probably were just another white person, and in that situation, a fish out of water.

When I lived in the USA and would go to Latin clubs I would find that anyone, regardless of race who is a good dancer, specially salsa or merengue dancer will always get attention and be readily accepted(specially white girls). There were clubs in Chicago like Cairo or Excalibur ,the Copa in NY or Mystique in Miami, where I would dance salsa with three girls at a time all of different race. If you are a good dancer, I wonder why you had the problem, if you find out the answer let me know. If you are a good salsa dancer, let me know the next time you are in DR and I will make you forget your Amsterdam experience.

TW

Re: Strange experience in dominican disco in Amste

Alexandra

Don't let one bad experience in Amsterdam put you off going back to the DR. Did you try talking to anyone there? What about your friend's boyfriend who is Dominican? What was his view?

The Dominican Republic is a wonderful place, please go back.

Carol

Re: Strange experience in dominican disco in Amste

When I meet places with lots of Dominicans overseas, the ones who do not greet me or even look suspicious are more likely in ilegal businesses involved and are afraid of cops!

Any other would rather welcome you like anywhere else!

Henry

Re: Strange experience in dominican disco in Amste

Because they don't need anything from you when they are now in your country. They already have the visa.

Re: Strange experience in dominican disco in Amste

PORNO

Re: Strange experience in dominican disco in Amste

hallo alexandra, ik vind het best wel raar dat niemand met de wou dansen. Zelf heb ik er niet een probleem ooit mee gehad.
Maar het waren ook nooit echt dominicaanse clubs waar ik heen ging.

Wist eerlijk gezegt ook niet dat er een speciale in de bijlmer zat. Laat het niet voorkomen dat je daardoor niet meer naar de dominican gaat want het is en blijft altijd een land dat voor mijn ook op nr 1. staat.

vraagje tussendoor waar ben je geweest in de dominican ik ga gelukkig de hele maand december weer terug.
he meid blijf lekker salsa en merenque dansen

ajuus

I'll be back in DR for sure !!!!

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. And don't worry, I'll be back in the DR for sure! I think there is nothing in the world that can stop me from visiting DR. I've been back in Holland for two weeks now, after my 4rd trip there. And I just can't wait to get back again. If possible I'll be back within 6 months and I'll dance the night (all the nights) away.

Alexandra

Re: I'll be back in DR for sure !!!!

In my opinion it has nothing to do with the reponses that were posted. I think that is has more to do with the Dominicans conforming with what the society expects them to be in Amsterdam. In other words, anyone in their own country will be more open than if they were in a foreign country. Why? Because being home means that you know the rules and how to act in public. Also its has more to do with how a particular country's society behaves and acts. My opinion is that they are just trying to get along in a foreign country.