Explanation please

[bachata]

Well, it's hard to meet each others in theses neighborhoods where you only see cars coming out and in the driveways, most of time you don't see the people as the garage doors raise and close remote control operated. Is two years now since we moved in this house and I don't know some of my neighbors yet. I remember I had a conversation with this guy two year ago when we moved in, he asked me what do you do I said I'm a parking attendant and he said he is a professional.
I'm Hispanic he is white American maybe like AZB says this make we different but I'm no concerned about that.
I'll help any body no mater race or nationality that is the way Dominicans are..

JJ

 

[CoreyH]

You did a nice thing the way your culture does it and he did a nice thing the way his culture does it. Good way to learn about other cultures ways. I applaud you not only for helping your neighbor in a pinch, many people would do that, but for bothering to find out about someone else's actions that you didn't understand. Most people wouldn't bother to find out why someone did something that seemed unusual to them. You could have simply been confused or offended, but instead you went the extra mile to try to understand.

 

[pedrochemical]

he asked me what do you do I said I'm a parking attendant and he said he is a professional.


JJ

He sounds like a snob! A professional what? Somehow more professional than you??
What does he think? That you are an amateur parking attendant?
Maybe trying to keep your amateur status so you can attend parking at the Olympics??

Not surprising that you did not talk to him for 2 years.

They are not all that bad though......

And good on you for being a decent human being!!!

 

[Ezequiel]

Well, it's hard to meet each others in theses neighborhoods where you only see cars coming out and in the driveways, most of time you don't see the people as the garage doors raise and close remote control operated. Is two years now since we moved in this house and I don't know some of my neighbors yet. I remember I had a conversation with this guy two year ago when we moved in, he asked me what do you do I said I'm a parking attendant and he said he is a professional.
I'm Hispanic he is white American maybe like AZB says this make we different but I'm no concerned about that.
I'll help any body no mater race or nationality that is the way Dominicans are..

JJ

Okay? He knows you have been his neighbor for the past 2 years, and you two had talked before, that means there were no need for him to leave you $5.00 (tip). If I were you I will put the money in an envelope with a little note.

Probably he's thinking just because you are hispanic you need the money or you were expecting him to pay you for the help provided. Maybe he thinks you are a Day Worker, like those standing in Home Depot.

He didn't take your neighborly gesture as such. RETURN the money and let him be embarrass.

 

[jrhartley]

when I broke down in the dominican republic- loads of people stopped to help, but they all wanted money...money to use cell phone, money to go for water....only broken down twice but that was my experience

 

[AZB]

This is it. He thought you are Hispanic (like a Mexican) so he expected you to be happy to have received the 5 bucks. I am sure if you were a dentist, he would not have insulted you with cash. But maybe I am all wrong, the guy only wanted to thank you this way.
Like racerx said, keep the money and move on.
AZB

 

[ExtremeR]

He sounds like a snob! A professional what? Somehow more professional than you??
What does he think? That you are an amateur parking attendant?
Maybe trying to keep your amateur status so you can attend parking at the Olympics??

Not surprising that you did not talk to him for 2 years.

They are not all that bad though......

And good on you for being a decent human being!!!

The United States is full of White Snobs like that, specially in the south. While I'm not one to create controversies out of nothing I would follow Ezequiel's advice, 5 bucks in an envelope with a note. Case Closed.

 

[bachata]

My wife invited me for dinner to Ruby's Tuesday restaurant for father's day, I have a delicious plate of pasta and lobster I was so pleased that I used the five dollars to tip the waiter so I don't have it any more.
Now I can't return the five Dollars lol....

JJ

 

[CoreyH]

Good job! :bunny:

 

[bienamor]

That's called 'paying it forward'.

I'd like to have seen what the comments would have been, had you said instead that you loaned your compressor to your neighbor, and they had NOT left money, with the hose left on the floor, dirty, etc.

I see the whole situation a little differently.

How many folks have a compressor in their garage? I'm guessing your neighbor can see that you enjoy doing mechanical work, and surmised that he would show you a little bit of professional courtesy, and contribute towards maintaining your 'investment' of tools and equipment, since you were nice enough to let him use it.

He made a gesture of appreciation to you, and you paid it forward. Food for the soul.

Agreed move on

In deference to the Dominicans and the Pakistani on the board, I really doubt if the guy was thinking well

a he is hispanic needs the money
b he is socially below me and needs the money
c hate my neighbor
d Im white he is black so I will insult him
e this is the south so I can disrespect him.

Assuming that your living in an good neighborhood. that should rule out the daylabor job, as any of those I have been around cant afford great neighborhoods, due to unreliably paydays.

Say hi and get to know your neighbor. As I said before. If you had been home when he finished probably would have been a lot different(would have offered to pay, you would have said no thanks glad to help out) end of story. as you were gone he just showed his appreciation in your absence. I have done this myself to neighbors that I did not know well and had to borrow something, and have had it done to me under similar circumstances.

 

[bienamor]

The United States is full of White Snobs like that, specially in the south. While I'm not one to create controversies out of nothing I would follow Ezequiel's advice, 5 bucks in an envelope with a note. Case Closed.

Are you not one that gripes about the gringos making sweeping generalizations about Dominicans? You have been in the USA for how long, and traveled through how much of the South. What do you base your generalization on.

 

[davethebodyguard]

As usual the same people are putting negative comments in response to your question. Nobody really knows why he left the $5 on your compressor but either way you had five extra in your pocket. The guy next door could be the best neighbor ever or the biggest jerk ever but none of these people know either way. Take it for what it is. $5

 

[AZB]

As usual the same people are putting negative comments in response to your question. Nobody really knows why he left the $5 on your compressor but either way you had five extra in your pocket. The guy next door could be the best neighbor ever or the biggest jerk ever but none of these people know either way. Take it for what it is. $5

good post and very well written.
AZB

 

[Celt202]

As usual the same people are putting negative comments in response to your question. Nobody really knows why he left the $5 on your compressor but either way you had five extra in your pocket. The guy next door could be the best neighbor ever or the biggest jerk ever but none of these people know either way. Take it for what it is. $5

Some people can't help but have their conscious or unconscious agendas ooze through their posts.

This event is a fascinating example of little cultural encounters that can make both sides scratch their heads wondering what happened. I think it's important to keep a good attitude and an open mind when you're personally involved in something like this and bachata certainly has a good attitude and will leave people with a good impression of Dominicans.

Those who might look down on him because of his job, his pattern of speech, his nationality, or whatever well bleep 'em entonces.

 

[bachata]

In the short time I have been here in the US I noticed since the beginning that American people respect your time and your work.
Ex:
Three weeks ago I went to pick up my computer at my friend's house as he installed some programs for me, when I got there the old lady his mother was upset because a pipe broke and there it was a big leak under the house I said let me take a look and went to inspect the problem then I said to my friend let's go to Home depot to get what we need to fix the problem (a T connector, a joint and a piece of pipe) when I finished fixing the problem the lady was so happy that she put $ 50. Dollars in my T shirt's pocket I tried to refuse the payment but she said that is not a payment is a gratification.
Gratifications are well accepted especially when you are not working.

JJ

 

[granca]

So many posters seem to have so many problems with their neighbors that it leaves me scratching my head wondering if there is more than one R.D. I had a flat tyre a couple of weeks ago which I didn't notice until I'd driven 100 yards. I stopped to look at it and a very shabbly dressed man appeared and offered to change my tyre for me. I having, currently, having only part use of my right arm accepted. Then the problems began, he had great difficulty in even loosening the nuts. I'd recently had my wheels balanced and the camber checked and the thoughtless garage had put the nuts on with one of those air pressure machines, far too tightly. My man decided he was defeated and called a friend of his who went off to get a torsion bar. Between them they then succeeded in changing the wheel eventually. Unfortunately I ended up with a seriously deformed llave or whatever they're called in english. I gave each of them RD$ 100 and suggested they used it to buy a beer or something, they both thanked me profusely and we waved each other bye bye.
The tail end of the story is that I went round to the establishment who does all our repairs, if he can't do them he sends me on round to a mate of his. I asked him to get me a new llave, he said just a minute, went round the back and presented me with a llave, the type we call a spider in England with thingys for four different nut sizes. I thanked him, obviously, and asked him how much to which he said "Oh, nothing, its an old one" but then took great pleasure in reminding me that his place had not so tightened up the nuts in the first place.

We've never invited any neighbour round for a beer or sancocho but they just turn up on our doorstep pretty regularly for a natter. .We always offer them a refreshment, both sexes and learn all the latest gossip.

Our 3 (nearly 4!) daughter has her couple of neighbours kids round regularly to play and when its around lunchtime one or more of them will announce that they're hungry. Result, two or three times a week they stay and eat with us. The neighbours are always doing us little favours, like opening and closing our big sheet steel drive gate.
I just find it so hard to understand why so many you have such problems.

If I've gone on too long - sorry but I get so fed up with posters doing so much knocking of Dominicans.