Hello.
There is a thread here that I just read having to do with a man who was threatened on the streets of Sosua, and, assertions of bravado notwithstanding, is clearly scared out of his scull that the Dominican he encountered will make good on his threat.
Why do some of the discussions here give one the impression that living in the DR is like being in a pirate movie? Just wonderin'.
As some may know, I live in a very dangerous city, Detroit Michigan. It seems that people who grew up in the city typically are aware of the potential for violence, even death, but don't shudder in fear of going outside on a daily basis. There are others, however, particularly people who grew up/live in the more prosperous suburbs, who venture into the city on the weekends as if they are on safari: they buy drugs from people on streets I know to avoid even in daylight, they get drunk publicly and are at times loud and obnoxious, solicit prostitutes that I would not touch with my worst enemy's penis, and walk out into traffic as if made of intangible stuff. This behavior makes them very easy prey.
To their absolute astonishment, they from time to time run into situations where they get robbed, mugged, or even hurt. Suddenly, the target realm of their safari becomes the 7th abysmal ring of hell itself; a place to be avoided, lest some crack crazed welfare death bitch makes off with a few of their heads.
There's a running joke around here that white folk are the ones who, in the monster movies, want to go and investigate everything that falls out of the sky brandishing a death ray, whereas anyone else has the good sense to get the hell on, post haste. Race, however, does not seem to be the determining characteristic here. Those from the poorer suburbs, as well as whites who grew up in the city, tend to be far less conspicuous in their daily activities in the city. They are also far less likely to be set upon by ne'er do wells. I mention this because the majority of what I read hear that has to do with fear of violence seems to come from westerners, particularly those from the UK, a nation which does not suffer nearly as many gun related deaths as we do here.
So, never having been to the DR, I can assume either one of two situations exists:
Expats are typical affluent westerners whose behavior belies their dubios street smarts, which tends to land them in all sorts of unnecessary confrontations, especially when confronted by the "natives".
The DR is a very unpredictable place, where only the stupid or thrill seeking need tread, for yea, verily, death carouses 'round each corner, waiting to strike any innocent victim at random without provocation.
Which is it? Is the truth somewhere in between?
There is a thread here that I just read having to do with a man who was threatened on the streets of Sosua, and, assertions of bravado notwithstanding, is clearly scared out of his scull that the Dominican he encountered will make good on his threat.
Why do some of the discussions here give one the impression that living in the DR is like being in a pirate movie? Just wonderin'.
As some may know, I live in a very dangerous city, Detroit Michigan. It seems that people who grew up in the city typically are aware of the potential for violence, even death, but don't shudder in fear of going outside on a daily basis. There are others, however, particularly people who grew up/live in the more prosperous suburbs, who venture into the city on the weekends as if they are on safari: they buy drugs from people on streets I know to avoid even in daylight, they get drunk publicly and are at times loud and obnoxious, solicit prostitutes that I would not touch with my worst enemy's penis, and walk out into traffic as if made of intangible stuff. This behavior makes them very easy prey.
To their absolute astonishment, they from time to time run into situations where they get robbed, mugged, or even hurt. Suddenly, the target realm of their safari becomes the 7th abysmal ring of hell itself; a place to be avoided, lest some crack crazed welfare death bitch makes off with a few of their heads.
There's a running joke around here that white folk are the ones who, in the monster movies, want to go and investigate everything that falls out of the sky brandishing a death ray, whereas anyone else has the good sense to get the hell on, post haste. Race, however, does not seem to be the determining characteristic here. Those from the poorer suburbs, as well as whites who grew up in the city, tend to be far less conspicuous in their daily activities in the city. They are also far less likely to be set upon by ne'er do wells. I mention this because the majority of what I read hear that has to do with fear of violence seems to come from westerners, particularly those from the UK, a nation which does not suffer nearly as many gun related deaths as we do here.
So, never having been to the DR, I can assume either one of two situations exists:
Expats are typical affluent westerners whose behavior belies their dubios street smarts, which tends to land them in all sorts of unnecessary confrontations, especially when confronted by the "natives".
The DR is a very unpredictable place, where only the stupid or thrill seeking need tread, for yea, verily, death carouses 'round each corner, waiting to strike any innocent victim at random without provocation.
Which is it? Is the truth somewhere in between?
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