Robert said:
I haven't paid a bribe to a cop in 5-6 years. In fact the last time I was stopped was about 5-6 years ago. What makes you think your going to get stopped? What makes you think this is common practice?
What are the rules of engagement? Use your common sense, stick to the law.
Come on Robert - that is a bit dismissive for what is seen to be a fairly regular occurence here in the DR!! I think the question revolved around things that were "within the law" but required some form of assistance to get ligitimate & legal things processed that much more smoothly. We are all aware that some form of "EASING" of the process of getting things done in a timely fashion DOES go on & the questioner IS asking for our considered opinion! We have ALL done it & most of us have got some form of a 'feeling' for the negotiation process, let's pass a bit of it on to a serious questioner!
I agree that paying traffic cops is NOT a good idea - likely to put you into more trouble than getting you off & moving again. When you hit THAT problem, the answer is to smile & suggest a visit to the Consulate or Embassy of your home country to establish the RIGHT level of 'Propina'! I have suggested to one authoritive person who tried to "scam" me for a little handout, that we pop back into the office & ask his BOSS what the right level of 'Propina' would be for the task he was performing - that got me processed VERY quickly AND no propina was paid!!
NON AMET cops on the other hand, are just trying it on & should be clapped on the back, smiled at & treated as a friend who has just made a joke. THEN, if you feel some form of concern for his plight, you can pass over RD $20 or RD $30 IF YOU FEEL THAT WAY INCLINED. It is not going to cause you serious problem if you DON'T hand over money - it might just take you a bit longer to get into that parking space or clear that part of traffic congestion!!
With AUTHORITARIANISM (is there such a word??), it s good to go along with the general conversation & take your time to establish just WHAT is being asked for. A handover right at the beginning of negotiations is a sure ringer that you have got money & are prepared to be hoodwinked out of it!! I always have my money in small denominations in seperate pockets - if I find that RD $20 is not getting me the way I want to go, I 'Find' another RD $20 or RD $50 in another pocket!! If they think they have exhausted your supply of "effectivo", they will let things go & the processing advances much more quickly!!
A similar ploy is used with shopping. Shopping for things other than food & general household commodities, is a L O N G drawn out process here. You look around to get a feeling of the general price, look for those giving discounts at any particular time, & THEN start negotiations!!! Tell the vendor about a competitor who is charging a damn sight less than him(her) down the street & lower the price by 10% or 15%. If you don't get it at that or near to it, walk out & go down the street & repeat the process!! Keep going until YOU have established the best price, & IF it is suitable to you, .... then buy!! If there is no competitor selling the same product in the same town, use an alternative town (this indicates that you LIVE here & know your way around!!) & if THAT fails, set a starting price at 30% less that what you are prepared to pay & start off at that. As in the example with the local policeman you wanted to 'ease' you through a traffic jam or into a restricted parking space, find some extra RD $ in another pocket or in your wife's handbag until you find an acceptable price to you both!
Tourists (& Ex-Pats living here) who are in a hurry to conclude business, generally pay over the top!! The Dominican culture is slow & easy and in friendship, use it to your advantage & take your time. No Dominican will ever sell you something he is not making a profit on, you just have to work out what his lowest "Profit Margin" will be!! It is amazing how when you walk away from his shop/stall, his "Profit Margin" will reduce to your benefit. However, don't agree to the first ammendment to price that he makes (even if you like it) start low again & work up!!
To answer your question Gregg - there IS no formular - just a long drawn out process of two
friends finding a common price for what ONE wants to sell & the OTHER wants to buy!!
Hope this helps & happy shopping (if you have the time for it!!). - Grahame.