Oh Lord...
Escott... how do you get so lucky???? I mean really??? You attract men, women and children to you from all levels of age, maturity and education.... it might not be the best attraction, but you definately get their attention!!!
My oppinions:
1) Escott... you were courteous to make the invitation to people and I am sorry if it was distorted by any means.
2) Somewhere in this thread someone spoke of wait staff making 6 bucks a day... and that may be the average... but as not to deter anyone from an opportunity. I must say that most of my customers are waitresses and/or bartenders and make in the neighborhood of 20,000 - 30,000 RD a month... working 5 days a week... which equals out to 1000 RD - 1500 RD a day... which at todays exchange rate (34)... is equal to $29US - $44US a day. There shifts are 8 hours shifts... and this is a year round average. The only difference is that in high season the waitstaff usually cuts back to 3-4 days a week for the same amount each month (so making more per day average) and in the low season they may add a day to their shift (lowering their per day average... but still keeping the monthly total up). Then again this depends where you work, how busy it is, what the clientele is like and whether you are any good.
3) Manual Labor.... Manual labor here is cheap PERIOD!!! So if anyone expects to move here and even get close to the US in wages is crazy. However their are exceptions to every rule. If you are really interested and you have a specialty that maybe it is hard to find here... maybe somebody could use you and they would pay you decently. My husband is an elevator mechanic in the US. He is in the union and makes a very good amount of money. Their are companies here that want him because he knows the US security codes which certain elevator companies want in the DR in certain buildings. They are willing to pay him a good bit of money. Now... it is about 30% less than his US Salary.... but still a large amount here... they are offering him almost double what people get here in a month... for one days work.
So the point is... it is not impossible to come here and make a living. You just have to do your research and if you have something that someone needs... you just may have a door in. Then again... you can be like me... pack up - move - and think about a job later!!!
GG
