I had posted something similar a few years back but I think some of you folks might benefit from this post into making your life easier in DR.
Rule #1: always make friends in important places in DR. Ex: banks, electric company, cable TV, water company, supermarket etc etc. In times of trouble, these people will carry you through in almost any matter.
EX: when I first came to this country I didn?t speak Spanish but I needed things done immediately. First of all, I called the phone company (codetel) and spoke to a person who spoke English. I immediately complemented on his English language skills. I was also able to figure out that the person was gay. Gays are generally very gentle people to talk to. I was able to make him laugh and feel better at that particular time. In return: I was able to get an easy number for my office and had the line connected within 4 days when it took a month to do the same (not to mention all the hassle). He then connected me with internet within hours after my phone line was connected.
In Santiago I had to connect with tricom lines so guess what?..I found a girlfriend in tricom who did all in the same day. Not only I had my lines installed but internet was also connected the same day.
Water company and cable company people were also a cake, I simply had to talk to them and make them laugh with my conservation. Dominicans love humor and they like a person who talks funny with an accent. But you must remember, always give them respect ex; if the person is a manager or a coronal in military / police, I act as if I am afraid of them. I never try to tell them the rules or try to push them around. I act like they are helping me and appreciate their input. All you have to do is to ask them how they can help you. The first mistake every foreigner make is that they go there pissed off and then talk to the manager and make him look bad in front of his own employees. You foreigners are always too occupied with your ?personal rights?. This is not USA or Canada, rules apply differently here.
Now if the worker is a lazy employee and tries to send you back home to come back another day, then you must act aggressive and let them know that you don?t have a whole day to waste. Ask for his superior and then play the same game as I have listed above.
I usually do is as follows: I invite the managers of banks, phone company and doctors to my house for a BBQ and drinks. This doesn?t really cost as much as you would get out from them in return (favors). Usually one well-to-do Dominican knows many other important people so you don?t even have to do your search to find good people. Go out with a coronal and insist upon paying the bill. Do not make it seems as if it?s a barter for a favor you would ask in return. I went out with a coronal from the airforce along with his wife and friends. He was a rare case, not only he was a coronal but he was also a medical doctor (a very well known surgeon in SD). He made money in dollars. The guys was loaded. So when we spoke he instantly became my friend. He took us all out and spend thousands of pesos like pocket change. He wouldn't let me take out my wallet. So when we all went for late night snacks I pretended as if I were going to the bathroom. Instead I went to the cashier and paid the whole bill. He realized and jumped at the cashier but I insisted that cashier take my money (I knew the owner). He acted upset but he liked the fact that I was not a leech like the others. Now we are good fiends and he calls me regularly and invites me to his house.
When I am with those important people, I never even talk of a favor but only talk about interesting things ex: women and their work. Give them the importance and always act as if I am afraid of them. They all love the attention that a foreigner gives them. In return they will give you the world.
The main mistake many foreigners make is that they make friends with the lowest of the lowest Dominicans in society ex: hookers and resort workers. These people have no contacts and can never help you in any difficult matters; worse they always leech off you.
So why date a poor helpless Dominican when you can spend the same energies in knowing a decent bank worker or a cable company guy / gal. You see, you folks have the knowledge to impress them with your intellects but you always seem to choose a poor barrio guy / gal.
Life can be very difficult if you don?t have any connections in this country. So everyone get their act together and get to know the real Dominicans. My advantage is that I really do enjoy the company of people around me, Dominicans or foreigners. It seems Dominicans also enjoy my company. Just be sincere in your friendship and you will see the doors open all around you, everywhere.
Rule #1: always make friends in important places in DR. Ex: banks, electric company, cable TV, water company, supermarket etc etc. In times of trouble, these people will carry you through in almost any matter.
EX: when I first came to this country I didn?t speak Spanish but I needed things done immediately. First of all, I called the phone company (codetel) and spoke to a person who spoke English. I immediately complemented on his English language skills. I was also able to figure out that the person was gay. Gays are generally very gentle people to talk to. I was able to make him laugh and feel better at that particular time. In return: I was able to get an easy number for my office and had the line connected within 4 days when it took a month to do the same (not to mention all the hassle). He then connected me with internet within hours after my phone line was connected.
In Santiago I had to connect with tricom lines so guess what?..I found a girlfriend in tricom who did all in the same day. Not only I had my lines installed but internet was also connected the same day.
Water company and cable company people were also a cake, I simply had to talk to them and make them laugh with my conservation. Dominicans love humor and they like a person who talks funny with an accent. But you must remember, always give them respect ex; if the person is a manager or a coronal in military / police, I act as if I am afraid of them. I never try to tell them the rules or try to push them around. I act like they are helping me and appreciate their input. All you have to do is to ask them how they can help you. The first mistake every foreigner make is that they go there pissed off and then talk to the manager and make him look bad in front of his own employees. You foreigners are always too occupied with your ?personal rights?. This is not USA or Canada, rules apply differently here.
Now if the worker is a lazy employee and tries to send you back home to come back another day, then you must act aggressive and let them know that you don?t have a whole day to waste. Ask for his superior and then play the same game as I have listed above.
I usually do is as follows: I invite the managers of banks, phone company and doctors to my house for a BBQ and drinks. This doesn?t really cost as much as you would get out from them in return (favors). Usually one well-to-do Dominican knows many other important people so you don?t even have to do your search to find good people. Go out with a coronal and insist upon paying the bill. Do not make it seems as if it?s a barter for a favor you would ask in return. I went out with a coronal from the airforce along with his wife and friends. He was a rare case, not only he was a coronal but he was also a medical doctor (a very well known surgeon in SD). He made money in dollars. The guys was loaded. So when we spoke he instantly became my friend. He took us all out and spend thousands of pesos like pocket change. He wouldn't let me take out my wallet. So when we all went for late night snacks I pretended as if I were going to the bathroom. Instead I went to the cashier and paid the whole bill. He realized and jumped at the cashier but I insisted that cashier take my money (I knew the owner). He acted upset but he liked the fact that I was not a leech like the others. Now we are good fiends and he calls me regularly and invites me to his house.
When I am with those important people, I never even talk of a favor but only talk about interesting things ex: women and their work. Give them the importance and always act as if I am afraid of them. They all love the attention that a foreigner gives them. In return they will give you the world.
The main mistake many foreigners make is that they make friends with the lowest of the lowest Dominicans in society ex: hookers and resort workers. These people have no contacts and can never help you in any difficult matters; worse they always leech off you.
So why date a poor helpless Dominican when you can spend the same energies in knowing a decent bank worker or a cable company guy / gal. You see, you folks have the knowledge to impress them with your intellects but you always seem to choose a poor barrio guy / gal.
Life can be very difficult if you don?t have any connections in this country. So everyone get their act together and get to know the real Dominicans. My advantage is that I really do enjoy the company of people around me, Dominicans or foreigners. It seems Dominicans also enjoy my company. Just be sincere in your friendship and you will see the doors open all around you, everywhere.