Hi Everyone.. I am a dominican living abroad with my family for many years and with a dutch nationality.. A couple of months ago my father was detained briefly at the airport by Dominican drug enforcement agents, The agents told my father they needed to interrogate him because he seems suspicious to them,, after a half hour interrogation and nothing found, they told my father they needed to send him to the police headquarters and detain him for further questioning.. but wait! here comes the bomb, an hour later they cleared and told him that he could leave for this time but not without leaving a "bail" of US$50,=!!!!! What the hell is going on at the airport with these government agents.., is this the new way tob ask for bribery now that the airport has been privetized..? I am deeply concerned with these stories because if this happen to my old man it can happen with me or you tomorrow.., Please what can be done against these bad agents..? is there an organism in the DR to denounce these atrocities.. If this ever happens to me I am determined to denounce this at the Dutch embassy but then again I think how to proof a bribery using such serious acusations!!
- Thread starter AJITITI
- Start date
Dangerous bribery at airport
People who look Latino are the ones who might be targeted. Welcome to the world of Hipolito Mejia - government of the gangster, by and gangsters and for the gangsters!
If this happens, I think people have two options, given in likely order of success:
1. Smile. Tell them that you don't travel with much cash. Would $15 bail suffice.
2. Tell them that you are a professional fund raiser and were in the DR to meet with Pedro Goico to discuss PRD finances. Continue to say that, though you don't have the cash on you, if they would allow you to use a phone you could call Colonel Goico to arrange for delivery of the funds.
3. Tell them that they are violating international law and that you will report them to the airline, airport and embassy.
Obviously, the latter is best only if you don't mind missing your flight and have are not relied upon for support by any family members.
If this happens, I think people have two options, given in likely order of success:
1. Smile. Tell them that you don't travel with much cash. Would $15 bail suffice.
2. Tell them that you are a professional fund raiser and were in the DR to meet with Pedro Goico to discuss PRD finances. Continue to say that, though you don't have the cash on you, if they would allow you to use a phone you could call Colonel Goico to arrange for delivery of the funds.
3. Tell them that they are violating international law and that you will report them to the airline, airport and embassy.
Obviously, the latter is best only if you don't mind missing your flight and have are not relied upon for support by any family members.
Report them to the embassy of your country. This is a total BS behavior by the immigration agents at the airport. They had created this situation for your dad to get money out of him. The sad part is that many people act and seem to innocent so they get taken in for a ride.
Next time act more like a dominican tigre than a foreigner and see how easy everything becomes.
Next time act more like a dominican tigre than a foreigner and see how easy everything becomes.
I worked a bit (about 6 months) at the airport and I ran into a couple of cases where foreigners were harassed by government officers ( the worst are in customs) for money. Their attitude is that they are there to serve themselves if you let them. If they sence you are going to be difficult, they wont waste their time much.
Once I saw an English lady who spoke a little spanish and threatened to call the consulate and just wouldn't budge. They checked her bags and let her go.
I dont want to go into politics but I saw how the old, deteriorated airport had better personnel under Leonel and now its all been rebuilt but the personnel are just crooks.
Once I saw an English lady who spoke a little spanish and threatened to call the consulate and just wouldn't budge. They checked her bags and let her go.
I dont want to go into politics but I saw how the old, deteriorated airport had better personnel under Leonel and now its all been rebuilt but the personnel are just crooks.
Just another day in the DR
The more I hear/read stories like this the more perplexed I become.I dont understand why the Dominican populace dosent rally together to expose and eventually put an end to behavior like this.Do you know why the police did this to your father and will continue to do it to countless others???BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN!!!Bottom line..if there was the risk of exposure and possible consequences they would be less likely to do things like this.In the obvious absence of morals it boils down to simple risk vs. reward.I can understand why poor uneducated Dominicans living in the campo dont speak out...simply because they are sheltered and dont know any better and because they dont have any leverage anyway.However,the more intelligent,better rounded,more influential Dominicans seem to take a "thats the way it is here" attitude towards these things.There are many intelligent Dominicans posting here.The only one who I see really trying to bring change through exposure is Golo.A few others chime in more subtly but most seem more interested in discussing habicuelas con dulce or lamenting about the use of archaic terms like "mejoranda la raza".If Dominicans were able to slowly change the practices of those in power(and their practices are malleable by the nature of the offices that they hold), these changes would lead to a positive metamorphosis in Dominican life.From little things like cheap electricity to major changes like better education so terms like "mejoranda la raza" are not used as often.Things that happened to the gentleman who created this threads father would happen much less often.The dominican Republic would become a happier,better educated,more economically efficient(the list goes on) country.Change has to begin at the top but the catalyst is in the people.
Larry
The more I hear/read stories like this the more perplexed I become.I dont understand why the Dominican populace dosent rally together to expose and eventually put an end to behavior like this.Do you know why the police did this to your father and will continue to do it to countless others???BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN!!!Bottom line..if there was the risk of exposure and possible consequences they would be less likely to do things like this.In the obvious absence of morals it boils down to simple risk vs. reward.I can understand why poor uneducated Dominicans living in the campo dont speak out...simply because they are sheltered and dont know any better and because they dont have any leverage anyway.However,the more intelligent,better rounded,more influential Dominicans seem to take a "thats the way it is here" attitude towards these things.There are many intelligent Dominicans posting here.The only one who I see really trying to bring change through exposure is Golo.A few others chime in more subtly but most seem more interested in discussing habicuelas con dulce or lamenting about the use of archaic terms like "mejoranda la raza".If Dominicans were able to slowly change the practices of those in power(and their practices are malleable by the nature of the offices that they hold), these changes would lead to a positive metamorphosis in Dominican life.From little things like cheap electricity to major changes like better education so terms like "mejoranda la raza" are not used as often.Things that happened to the gentleman who created this threads father would happen much less often.The dominican Republic would become a happier,better educated,more economically efficient(the list goes on) country.Change has to begin at the top but the catalyst is in the people.
Larry
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Man this is really messed up. Sorry to hear this happened to your dad. I would be freaking out if this happened to me. I'm used to them searching me all the times and taking me to the little private room but this has never happened to me.
Larry, I liked your post. I am somewhat new here and a bit hesitant to spill my guts yet.
Generally, I agree with your comments but it seems to me that
"poor uneducated Dominicans living in the campo" who "dont speak out...simply because they are sheltered and dont know any better and because they dont have any leverage anyway."
Are the majority, the people who elect governments and have elected HIppo, then his congress and given the chance will re-elect him again. The people who dont get a decent education to know whats better for them and aldso the people who decide who will represent them.
Generally, I agree with your comments but it seems to me that
"poor uneducated Dominicans living in the campo" who "dont speak out...simply because they are sheltered and dont know any better and because they dont have any leverage anyway."
Are the majority, the people who elect governments and have elected HIppo, then his congress and given the chance will re-elect him again. The people who dont get a decent education to know whats better for them and aldso the people who decide who will represent them.
man this story has me thinking of what might happen to me when I go this summer. Do people in the airport, specifically SDQ, profile you? I'm a youngin', so would I be stopped based on my appearnce and clothes? If they do, I'm going to use Porfio_Rubirosa's idea and tell them I only have $10 with me. Traveling to DR was no big deal for me when I went with my grandmother, but now that I'm older and plan on traveling on my own, everything's going to be different.
"The agents told my father they needed to interrogate him because he seems suspicious to them"
The agents dictionary : 'suspicious': an easy mark
I am sorry for the experience your father was forced to endure.
My wife was born in the R.D. ,lived in Canada for 10 years , Canadian citizen, Canadian passport and will never travel to her native country alone again because of similar treatment.
On her last trip she befriended some Canadians on the flight down who had to intervene at customs in Puerto Plata to save her from those cabrones. They were demanding money to let her pass and were helping themselves to whatever they desired from her luggage. She was not carring anything but personal effects as she wanted to avoid this very situation. The two husbands of the women that my wife had been talking to on the plane came to her aid and replaced the articles that had been removed for 'inspection', closed her suitcase and literally carried her (in tears) out through the doors. Thanks to those who helped her.
Great way to begin a vacation.
On the return trip to Toronto, the carry on inspector asked for $20 US or he was going to find something in her carry on and she would miss her flight or worse. She was so intimidated she gave him all she had $100RD. Crying she went to pass the passport inspector and he told her it wasn't her passport. It wasn't her photo. They took her to an office and keep pressing her for 30mins to admit that it wasn't her passport, that she had never been to Canada. She told them she didn't care if she missed her flight, and that she didn't have any money. They let her go just in time to catch the plane.
Great way to end a vacation.
A Dominican senior or Dominican woman traveling alone should be well prepared as to what may happen to them coming or going. They should not carry even 1 peso on their person. I agree with the comment above that if everyone stopped paying these scumbags there would be alot less harassment for everyone.
Every so often you hear that the airport has been cleaned up but it is still the same year after year. Buen viaje.
The agents dictionary : 'suspicious': an easy mark
I am sorry for the experience your father was forced to endure.
My wife was born in the R.D. ,lived in Canada for 10 years , Canadian citizen, Canadian passport and will never travel to her native country alone again because of similar treatment.
On her last trip she befriended some Canadians on the flight down who had to intervene at customs in Puerto Plata to save her from those cabrones. They were demanding money to let her pass and were helping themselves to whatever they desired from her luggage. She was not carring anything but personal effects as she wanted to avoid this very situation. The two husbands of the women that my wife had been talking to on the plane came to her aid and replaced the articles that had been removed for 'inspection', closed her suitcase and literally carried her (in tears) out through the doors. Thanks to those who helped her.
Great way to begin a vacation.
On the return trip to Toronto, the carry on inspector asked for $20 US or he was going to find something in her carry on and she would miss her flight or worse. She was so intimidated she gave him all she had $100RD. Crying she went to pass the passport inspector and he told her it wasn't her passport. It wasn't her photo. They took her to an office and keep pressing her for 30mins to admit that it wasn't her passport, that she had never been to Canada. She told them she didn't care if she missed her flight, and that she didn't have any money. They let her go just in time to catch the plane.
Great way to end a vacation.
A Dominican senior or Dominican woman traveling alone should be well prepared as to what may happen to them coming or going. They should not carry even 1 peso on their person. I agree with the comment above that if everyone stopped paying these scumbags there would be alot less harassment for everyone.
Every so often you hear that the airport has been cleaned up but it is still the same year after year. Buen viaje.
ok a few days have passed and what have we learned?
This thread has been alive for a couple of days and I have read 2 stories of blantant thievery perpertrated by dominican authority figures at airports.However,I dont see a whole lot of anger or even a whole lot of interest in what happened from the Dominican posters that frequent this board.Strange considering the tremendous backlash of disapproval I witnessed against linamia for using the term "merjoranda la raza" tongue in cheek.So I am to ascertain from all this that Dominicans believe that being robbed by airport customs is much further down on the totem pole of malicious acts than using an offensive term jokingly on a message board.I know this sounds like just an extention of my prior post in the thread but maybe some of the Dominicans who post here can fill me in on what I am missing here or just maybe I will never understand Dominican ideology.Someone please explian.
Larry
This thread has been alive for a couple of days and I have read 2 stories of blantant thievery perpertrated by dominican authority figures at airports.However,I dont see a whole lot of anger or even a whole lot of interest in what happened from the Dominican posters that frequent this board.Strange considering the tremendous backlash of disapproval I witnessed against linamia for using the term "merjoranda la raza" tongue in cheek.So I am to ascertain from all this that Dominicans believe that being robbed by airport customs is much further down on the totem pole of malicious acts than using an offensive term jokingly on a message board.I know this sounds like just an extention of my prior post in the thread but maybe some of the Dominicans who post here can fill me in on what I am missing here or just maybe I will never understand Dominican ideology.Someone please explian.
Larry
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I for one Larry am pissed off
This is bull and I for one if in the situation would get threatening. I had to bribe to get paperwork done when I was there and the more I think about it, was leaving the next day, the madder I get. Never again will I do that, I won't be someone's bit.h again, that little sucker's smile made me want to beat the man until he was bruised and bloody, doesn't help when you have a baby and woman with you and not wanting to spend time in a Dominican jail. If I was a woman at the airport, just start yelling at the top of your lungs, Ayudame. Cause a big disturbance and get their names down and have someone influential you may know call the airport supervisor or whoever has some authority. Teach them ladrones a lesson. The message would catch on. When I was in the US, Yesenia had to bribe to get paperwork done without me knowing about it and this is wrong. Get some backbone and stick up for yourselves people. Just don't take it. If someone did that to my mother, I would go ballistic and would attempt to have the people in question fired even if it meant getting a lawyer. No one better dare mess with my momma. The government sucks there and until the masses say no more bribes and demonstrate or cause a stir, this kind of crap will go on. Then there are those who just accept it, it's the way of life oh well. The change has to come in the government though because as long as the people are getting low pay and have a little bit of authority, they will abuse it. I feel sympathy for those who have experienced problems and were near tears or in tears and anger towards those ba..ards who are low life scum. Wake up people this kind of stuff isn't normal, raise your voices and fight the system, otherwise nothing will ever change. Little things will eventually add up, and when the majority finally has enough and stick up for themselves only change will happen. Another thing that makes me mad is that no matter what I am saying right now, it has no value, because I know it won't happen and people will say it will never happen and its unrealistic, so I am typing something that is totally useless and that also makes me mad.
dale7(Howard)
This is bull and I for one if in the situation would get threatening. I had to bribe to get paperwork done when I was there and the more I think about it, was leaving the next day, the madder I get. Never again will I do that, I won't be someone's bit.h again, that little sucker's smile made me want to beat the man until he was bruised and bloody, doesn't help when you have a baby and woman with you and not wanting to spend time in a Dominican jail. If I was a woman at the airport, just start yelling at the top of your lungs, Ayudame. Cause a big disturbance and get their names down and have someone influential you may know call the airport supervisor or whoever has some authority. Teach them ladrones a lesson. The message would catch on. When I was in the US, Yesenia had to bribe to get paperwork done without me knowing about it and this is wrong. Get some backbone and stick up for yourselves people. Just don't take it. If someone did that to my mother, I would go ballistic and would attempt to have the people in question fired even if it meant getting a lawyer. No one better dare mess with my momma. The government sucks there and until the masses say no more bribes and demonstrate or cause a stir, this kind of crap will go on. Then there are those who just accept it, it's the way of life oh well. The change has to come in the government though because as long as the people are getting low pay and have a little bit of authority, they will abuse it. I feel sympathy for those who have experienced problems and were near tears or in tears and anger towards those ba..ards who are low life scum. Wake up people this kind of stuff isn't normal, raise your voices and fight the system, otherwise nothing will ever change. Little things will eventually add up, and when the majority finally has enough and stick up for themselves only change will happen. Another thing that makes me mad is that no matter what I am saying right now, it has no value, because I know it won't happen and people will say it will never happen and its unrealistic, so I am typing something that is totally useless and that also makes me mad.
dale7(Howard)
The thing that strikes me, is that these stories both are about older Dominican people. Are they considered 'easy prey' by the immigration officials?
My father in law came to visit a few months ago and we arranged a wheel chair and escort for him just incase he gets harassed.
For myself, I offer the same amount in Pesos than what was asked for in Dollars and I stick to my story. I have no money - this is what I have. I've been known to pull out a cellphone and threaten very loudly that I'm calling my laywer - For me, I yell, shout and scream very loudly if the friendly approach does not work.
For my husband, he also offers the same amount in Pesos and then ask to see the boss. He carries a business card for the head of customs in his folder and he'll pull this out and demand to see him. Usually, he also gets processed through very quickly.
We travel through POP a lot and the few times that we were harrassed, it was easy to get out of it. But for an older person? that does not want to do the footstomping and loud thing? I would do just the same as we did for my father in law. Enough requests like this to the airline, and something is bound to happen on a different level.
My son listens very carefully to what is going on and then starts laughing. He would cry with laughter, pointing at himself saying in an incredulous tone of voice 'You want money from me?? I'm visiting (have just visited) my mother so that she can feed me - I cannot even feed myself - and he keeps laughing - pointing at his backpack - this is all I own in the world! Wanna take my pants? You can have my bic throwaway razor! My son never pays a cent.. and never travels with any valuables - and always leave the customs officials with all of them laughing as well.
My father in law came to visit a few months ago and we arranged a wheel chair and escort for him just incase he gets harassed.
For myself, I offer the same amount in Pesos than what was asked for in Dollars and I stick to my story. I have no money - this is what I have. I've been known to pull out a cellphone and threaten very loudly that I'm calling my laywer - For me, I yell, shout and scream very loudly if the friendly approach does not work.
For my husband, he also offers the same amount in Pesos and then ask to see the boss. He carries a business card for the head of customs in his folder and he'll pull this out and demand to see him. Usually, he also gets processed through very quickly.
We travel through POP a lot and the few times that we were harrassed, it was easy to get out of it. But for an older person? that does not want to do the footstomping and loud thing? I would do just the same as we did for my father in law. Enough requests like this to the airline, and something is bound to happen on a different level.
My son listens very carefully to what is going on and then starts laughing. He would cry with laughter, pointing at himself saying in an incredulous tone of voice 'You want money from me?? I'm visiting (have just visited) my mother so that she can feed me - I cannot even feed myself - and he keeps laughing - pointing at his backpack - this is all I own in the world! Wanna take my pants? You can have my bic throwaway razor! My son never pays a cent.. and never travels with any valuables - and always leave the customs officials with all of them laughing as well.
Another Experience
I spoke to a Dutch fellow in December who flew from Curacao to SDQ and was detained. They advised him that people from Holland are under greater suspicion of smuggling Ecstacy into the DR and actually made him provide a "sample" before he was permitted to leave.
Sure, in addition he paid about RD$500 for some milk to drink and to "finish now before you have to deal with the next shift" (and to keep from having to go to the jail or hospital for this process)but it was clear that (to him) he was suspected of drug importation and while whatever the shakedown was going to be it was in addition to proving he was not smuggling not instead of.
He had $US5000 with him in cash which they found ( he stays for months at a time) and did not try to steal or confiscate it - it seemed to him to be a simple 2 part situation:
1. Prove he had not brought in Ecstacy
2. Pay a small propina to expedite things.
He told me afterwards that his friend has gone through it as well, and it seems to be a combination of being from the Netherlands, and coming from Curacao (since it is the Netherlands also I guess there is no customs between Amsterdam and Curacao) since he has never seen or heard of say, US citizens on the same flights having trouble.
So maybe they at least think that they have reasonable grounds for inspecting those from the Netherlands vs. other countries.
One thing he made clear was, if you are not actually smuggling anything) that making a lot of stink right away before you get the direction they are trying to go (e.g. if it is a small shakedown) may be more trouble than it is worth. Maybe to complain later via your consular officials might be an option but he recommended dead against calling in the diplomats at the first second.
I spoke to a Dutch fellow in December who flew from Curacao to SDQ and was detained. They advised him that people from Holland are under greater suspicion of smuggling Ecstacy into the DR and actually made him provide a "sample" before he was permitted to leave.
Sure, in addition he paid about RD$500 for some milk to drink and to "finish now before you have to deal with the next shift" (and to keep from having to go to the jail or hospital for this process)but it was clear that (to him) he was suspected of drug importation and while whatever the shakedown was going to be it was in addition to proving he was not smuggling not instead of.
He had $US5000 with him in cash which they found ( he stays for months at a time) and did not try to steal or confiscate it - it seemed to him to be a simple 2 part situation:
1. Prove he had not brought in Ecstacy
2. Pay a small propina to expedite things.
He told me afterwards that his friend has gone through it as well, and it seems to be a combination of being from the Netherlands, and coming from Curacao (since it is the Netherlands also I guess there is no customs between Amsterdam and Curacao) since he has never seen or heard of say, US citizens on the same flights having trouble.
So maybe they at least think that they have reasonable grounds for inspecting those from the Netherlands vs. other countries.
One thing he made clear was, if you are not actually smuggling anything) that making a lot of stink right away before you get the direction they are trying to go (e.g. if it is a small shakedown) may be more trouble than it is worth. Maybe to complain later via your consular officials might be an option but he recommended dead against calling in the diplomats at the first second.
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Watch Out for Overkill
Howard, yes it is normal, it is the scale of the issue that you have to gauge. If Yesenia has to pay 50 pesos to get some document in 15 minutes vs. 2 days then the fee is probably worth it. Up here you may not have to bribe someone but you pay $40 for a birth certificate original and wait for 2 weeks to get it through the bueracracy.
The DR is not the USA. Too many people living or visiting apply their standards and don't go with the flow even a bit.
You are obviously quite angry ( as the generally repetitive nature of the entire thing you posted shows) but perspective goes a LONG way. You tip a bartender and he is a lot better serving you right? Same idea and don't forget these people have dick all to begin with.
dale7 said:
Howard, yes it is normal, it is the scale of the issue that you have to gauge. If Yesenia has to pay 50 pesos to get some document in 15 minutes vs. 2 days then the fee is probably worth it. Up here you may not have to bribe someone but you pay $40 for a birth certificate original and wait for 2 weeks to get it through the bueracracy.
The DR is not the USA. Too many people living or visiting apply their standards and don't go with the flow even a bit.
You are obviously quite angry ( as the generally repetitive nature of the entire thing you posted shows) but perspective goes a LONG way. You tip a bartender and he is a lot better serving you right? Same idea and don't forget these people have dick all to begin with.
It is also a very well ingrained thing in the DR!
Harkens back to the "Spanish" way of doing things 500 yrs ago and will never change (at least not for another 500 yrs or so).
It's part of the culture, politics and survival of the fitest.
Which is why I always pack a small "gift" for the inspectors. I've never had to "give" the gift away (it usually goes to someone in the town I live in) but I do go prepared. We did pay RD$50. once to a porter to carry our bags outso they wouldn't be opened (I had 11 gallons of home made wine in them and they were incredibly heavy so it was worth it!! Also insured WE got to drink the wine).
Harkens back to the "Spanish" way of doing things 500 yrs ago and will never change (at least not for another 500 yrs or so).
It's part of the culture, politics and survival of the fitest.
Which is why I always pack a small "gift" for the inspectors. I've never had to "give" the gift away (it usually goes to someone in the town I live in) but I do go prepared. We did pay RD$50. once to a porter to carry our bags outso they wouldn't be opened (I had 11 gallons of home made wine in them and they were incredibly heavy so it was worth it!! Also insured WE got to drink the wine).
It is a terrible thing to be shaken down, in that instance you would, as posted, make a big stink.
On the other hand, tipping someone is not really being shaken down. It is a way of getting things done quicker and with less hassles. Even in the US, go into any Dunkin Donuts, sandwich shop, etc. and you ALWAYS see a TIP jar. That annoys me, that I'm buying something and you're expected to give them a tip for giving you a cup of coffee. They are being paid and it's not like they are giving any special treatment.
Regarding tipping at the airport: I remember going through customs and my husband speaking to someone ($), within minutes a new line was opened up and we were first through. You have to agree that whatever the amount was, it was worth not having to wait on line while they went through everyone's bags.
Just my 2cents.
On the other hand, tipping someone is not really being shaken down. It is a way of getting things done quicker and with less hassles. Even in the US, go into any Dunkin Donuts, sandwich shop, etc. and you ALWAYS see a TIP jar. That annoys me, that I'm buying something and you're expected to give them a tip for giving you a cup of coffee. They are being paid and it's not like they are giving any special treatment.
Regarding tipping at the airport: I remember going through customs and my husband speaking to someone ($), within minutes a new line was opened up and we were first through. You have to agree that whatever the amount was, it was worth not having to wait on line while they went through everyone's bags.
Just my 2cents.
Another Example
And another example of people working at wages outside the DR making dick all.
If you can't throw a few cents of change in the tip jar to someone making minimum wage at Dunkin Donuts, then you don't have a lot of sympathy for the working poor.
BTW in Santiago Chile the only decent place I could find coffee in the a.m. wa you guessed it Dunkin Donuts. And I tipped the counter girl, since HER wage woul dbe 1/5th of a US wage.
NYC_Girl said:
And another example of people working at wages outside the DR making dick all.
If you can't throw a few cents of change in the tip jar to someone making minimum wage at Dunkin Donuts, then you don't have a lot of sympathy for the working poor.
BTW in Santiago Chile the only decent place I could find coffee in the a.m. wa you guessed it Dunkin Donuts. And I tipped the counter girl, since HER wage woul dbe 1/5th of a US wage.
I see nothing wrong in giving tips for a job they are doing. At least they are working and that is different than bribing, heck they could be out selling their body, trying to scam people, etc. I respect the working poor and I always tip, doorman, waitress, etc. I guess there can be benefits in bribing when you mention it, the new line at customs, etc and want something done, but being harassed for bribes still irks me.
dale7(Howard)
dale7(Howard)
It is up to us to make the changes
I can't agree more with Larry. It is up to us all to start making it work! Yes, this is not normal. Nowhere else on this globe you experience the atrocities that occur in DR. It is up to us to change that rotten system. Of course, that would entail a great deal of effort and sacrifice from everyone, and unbfortunally, that is the one thing that dominicans lack. We are not willingn to sacrifice and go by without. We all like the easy approach of "mojando la mano"money under the table, bribery to get things done.
Every time time I go through customs, I do not give those ladrones not even a "chele". They ask me to open my suitcases I take my time and open them up. I have nothing to hide, and I do not allow any of those so called "inspectors" to pull a fast one on me. I speak out, denounce their abuse and criticize the system right on their faces. When they see that I have no intention of giving them anything they give me anattitude. Oh so what I ignore the sob's.!!! I do not allow anyone at the airport to denegrate me. I have the right of going through that airport as many times I want without being harrased! To all of you that have gone through those horrifying experiences remember: you would only be abused if you allow someone to be the abuser
you would only be abused if you allow someone to be the abuser
I can't agree more with Larry. It is up to us all to start making it work! Yes, this is not normal. Nowhere else on this globe you experience the atrocities that occur in DR. It is up to us to change that rotten system. Of course, that would entail a great deal of effort and sacrifice from everyone, and unbfortunally, that is the one thing that dominicans lack. We are not willingn to sacrifice and go by without. We all like the easy approach of "mojando la mano"money under the table, bribery to get things done.
Every time time I go through customs, I do not give those ladrones not even a "chele". They ask me to open my suitcases I take my time and open them up. I have nothing to hide, and I do not allow any of those so called "inspectors" to pull a fast one on me. I speak out, denounce their abuse and criticize the system right on their faces. When they see that I have no intention of giving them anything they give me anattitude. Oh so what I ignore the sob's.!!! I do not allow anyone at the airport to denegrate me. I have the right of going through that airport as many times I want without being harrased! To all of you that have gone through those horrifying experiences remember: you would only be abused if you allow someone to be the abuser
you would only be abused if you allow someone to be the abuser