Question: What is an oxymoron?
Answer: A Dominican
I have enjoyed reading this thread on Dominican behavior. Most of you seem to have a good grasp of what's going on. To support what has been stated: Yes, Dominicans are straightforward, not politically correct, and although unkind at times, the malice of the Dominican is unmaliciously done.
Allow me to add the following:
Maliciously or not, Dominicans baptize individuals with names that reflect, not only a place of origen or religion (el turco, el judio) but with names which address a physical or mental disadvantage as well: Pedro el tuerto, Maximino el cojo, Juan el manco, Juana la loca, Julio el flaco, Mario el mocho, Carmen la odiosa, etc. I don't want to say that it is just a Dominican thing, but it is certainly a prevalent behavior in my beloved DR.
I DISLIKED IT AS A CHILD, AND I STILL DO. When I am in the DR I don't allow anyone to get away with it. Who is to say that people by such names called are not affected by it? The fact that no one complains is only an indication that the elderly, and the physically and mentally challenged are powerless. If you cannot fight it, accept it.
As a child, I was so shy, that I couldn't even open my mouth to say "hola". I suffered because of it. I was constantly called a "sangrua" and that I was not as friendly as my sister. I remember never fighting back, accepting even the laughter that came with the insults. However, I remember never laughing with them.
I also remember very well how an elderly man was made fun of (just like Pepe, in Rick's post). Haitians and English-speaking individuals from the Antillas Menores ("los cocolos") have suffered a lot on account of that Dominican misbehavior,
Thanks for the opportunity to reflect on this. Enjoy the Dr! But please, make a difference.
Love,
Norma