Is everyone who visits DR Cheap???

[NALs]

If you didn't realize it, I was being sarcastic.
I guess you have to explain sarcasm now-a-days:ermm::ermm::ermm:
SHALENA

Use a smiley, otherwise people will misread anything anyone posts since words have different meanings under different contexts, and for some reason, the context part tends to be subjective in internet boards.

I was about to mention that some expats don't even know in what type of country they live in since 16% doesn't equals the majority by any stretch of the imagination. They would surely have a 'fit' if they ever visit a country that is truly poor, like India where 80% live with less than $2/day. The DR is Dubai compared to that.

Poverty Rate at $2/day

-NALs :ermm:

 

[Celt202]

If you didn't realize it, I was being sarcastic.
I guess you have to explain sarcasm now-a-days:ermm::ermm::ermm:
SHALENA

I got your sarcasm. :laugh:

I was aiming at the fact that people who have accumulated assets are usually in that position because they've managed their assets wisely.

Many people blow everything they earn and as they near retirement age find themselves in a bind and realize it too late to recover.

 

[Reidy620]

"Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves" was the way I was brought up !

I see nothing wrong with anybody actively seeking out a bargain wherever it can be found . . from furniture to food or light bulbs to cars; surely it is human nature to try and get the best value for your money.

Tropical regards
Reidy

 

[cobraboy]

Everyone?

Come on Badpiece, you can't possibly think that the active members of DR1.com represent any significant proportion of any population, much less the number of tourists that visit the DR.

99% (and this is an understatement) of tourists to the DR don't even KNOW about DR1.

So no, everyone visiting the DR are not cheap.

-NALs

Valid points.

But ~most~ tourists come and go, sequestered in AI resorts.

I suspect that those who return often and even contemplate living here have a higher probability of "finding" DR1. And those folks, again, are probably a ~tad~ tighter than their casual AI counterparts.

IMO, the DR lends itself to travelers and expats who see a great monetary value in returning and possibly living here. Fact is, it IS much easier to be a "cheapskate" here than MANY other developing places. Much more so than CR or Bermuda.

I do remember what a bargain the DR was 21 years ago when I first started coming. And it WAS a compelling factor in coming back, and I'm hardly "cheap". Things have changed, however, and it's no longer the relative bang-for-the-buck that had me come live and establish a business here...

 

[heliace]

My novia used to work at a fairly popular restaurant here in Sosua. I was amazed at how many people would leave a ten or 20 peso tip after having a 1000 or 2000 peso meal(depending upon how many people were at the table). I often overheard, while sitting at the bar, " 10 pesos is a fortune for these people". Many a time I almost went "postal".
The country? I am not sure,but, Sosua is full of cheapy cheapys.

 

[badpiece33]

My novia used to work at a fairly popular restaurant here in Sosua. I was amazed at how many people would leave a ten or 20 peso tip after having a 1000 or 2000 peso meal(depending upon how many people were at the table). I often overheard, while sitting at the bar, " 10 pesos is a fortune for these people". Many a time I almost went "postal".
The country? I am not sure,but, Sosua is full of cheapy cheapys.

Amen Brother. Then they want great service for that lousy .25 cent tip

 

[Berzin]

Ask a Dominican who lives on the island about tipping.

I was scolded for leaving what I thought was an appropriate tip at a restaurant. My friend told me she hated how tourists come here and overtip, thinking that it will get them better service the next time they come around.

She said it may get you WORSE service, because then you will be seen as an idiot who throws his money around(a pendejo, if you will:surprised).

While I don't agree with this statement, I would believe that she knows more about how this happens more than me. I still left the tip, because I believe you should appreciate the people who handle your food.

But the reality is that overpaying for anything in the DR will not guarantee you better service, in restaurants or anywhere else.

 

[liam1]

i used to tip 20% of the total bill, after the additional 26% added, until a guy who knows DR much better that i do, and is much better off than i am, told me i was over-tipping and looking like a chopo who wants to impress. as far as the service goes, tipping doesn't make much of a difference given a manager or owner of the establishment is doing his job. if i spend 2000-3000 RD at the bar or regular basis he will want to see me come back and will push the waitresses to do a good job, regardless of the tip. if it is a chopo place where the staff does whatever they want without supervision, the service will be bad no matter the tip.

 

[laurapasinifan]

I have never thought of "future service" when i have tipped... it doesnt even come into my head...

even though I see the point...i just never was thinking that far ahead

a tip is only related to the service at hand , the meal and how much money i have.

although I have had a few instances where I could see that the waiter was going a little over board to take care of me..and i figure it was the fact i had tipped too much previously. That was at a bar where they serve you at the table when you listen to a well known act.

I usually am well aware of the service, because usually it sucks..period...

most waiters-waitresses would rather strike up a conversation with another worker before they were interested in seeing if you needed anything..and many times even after you asked for something....

bad bad bob

 

[badpiece33]

I usually am well aware of the service, because usually it sucks..period...

most waiters-waitresses would rather strike up a conversation with another worker before they were interested in seeing if you needed anything..and many times even after you asked for something....

bad bad bob

Bob maybe because they remember you from past trips to the restaurant!!!! Dont sit next to me at the NY gathering,I want to be able to get my drinks in a timely manner!!!

 

[laurapasinifan]

Bob maybe because they remember you from past trips to the restaurant!!!! Dont sit next to me at the NY gathering,I want to be able to get my drinks in a timely manner!!!

actually I am constantly being berated for tipping too much........the timely manner thing is all...."in the dominican" as we all love to say!! ha ha

this time the girl sits on my lap and YOU take the picture....got it??

dont make me bring my machine gun!!(your boss's idea)

bad bad bob

 

[badpiece33]

actually I am constantly being berated for tipping too much........the timely manner thing is all...."in the dominican" as we all love to say!! ha ha

this time the girl sits on my lap and YOU take the picture....got it??

dont make me bring my machine gun!!(your boss's idea)

bad bad bob

Be nice Bob I'm bringing the real girlfriend to the gathering for an hour or so then shes gotta leave,so I have to be good till 10pm

 

[Dragonfly32837]

I don't think that if you are asking about reasonable prices that it means that you are cheap and that you should stay home. I think that it means that you have a budget and that you have to stick to it. Poor people can go on vacation too. It just means that they will probably not be dining at Vesuvios.

 

[Chrismic]

Go to Europa and even Cuba, then will you see a lot of backpackers , that tries and need to live cheap.

Like when I was young and travel Europa around on trains (interrail), in summer vacation from school. we worked one month, to get money to travel around one month.
In some countries we had to live cheap, sleep at beach and railway stations, buy bread and ham and make tour own sandwich.
But, this trips in Europa gave me a lot of knowledge and understanding about other countries and culture. And all this interesting things we saw.

Have not seen so many backpacker here in DR, but have meet several in Cuba, that has daily budget on 35 US.dollar.Should this youngster and students not be allowed to visit other countries or must they wait to they get older and more money ?

In my first week in Sosua and DR, had I a few days to find a new place to live.
I found a place to 700 US. dollar a month, but I have meet others that live better than me and buy only 350 US dollar a month+ electricity and other things and this are often long term rent. Have also received a offer for a great place in Puerto Plata for the same price I pay now.

Why should I not try to find a cheaper place, I pretty sure I could find a better place then where I live now for 150 -300 dollar cheaper.

I am some kind of retired, I have the possibility to live a few months longer in DR, compared to what it cost to live in my country, get I must more value for the money here, than in my home country and I can live better here,
But I have bills I must pay home and child support, and in the last month has the dollar raised, for a few months ago it was 7 peso for 1.Nok, now is it 5.peso for 1.Nok..
I can,t afford to go to expensive restaurants every day or live in expensive hotels, but I can still have a good life here.

Of course would I go home if I had to live like a Dominican on a monthly 5000 - 10000 peso salary.
But, I have a home in Cuba, where I have lived on under 10 dollar a day,didn't have to use more money some days.:glasses:

And DR should be happy for all tourist they get now, even the cheap ones, since they have 10% fewer tourist this fall, than last fall. Some will maybe loose their jobs, because of lesser tourists, they will be happy for any cheap tourist, if it can help them to keep their jobs.

 

[billyidol]

what a load of horse $hite!!!!!!!!!!!

I always see posts more and more on DR1 for getting a cheap hotel,cheap cab ride,cheap dinners,cheap flights,cheap girls etc....... I rarely see anyone post that they are looking for a nice hotel,dinner,taxi,etc......
In my opinion if you can't afford to go on vacation and enjoy yourselves stay home and watch the travel channel you bunch of Cheap skates. Does anyone agree?

No, firstly you really should mind your own business. Secondly, obtaining more for your dollar is an inherent human quality/desire. Why not get a room for $35 versus $80, if all your doing is kitesurfing all day? Rather than call me cheap, i'd prefer you call me and my ilk.....responsible!

 

[London_Calling]

Agree with billy - this is very much down to personal choice and requirments. Independent travel is what the country needs. IMO it is the AIs that contribute little to the local economy when tourists pay for there holiday back home and then expect to spend no more in country.

 

[jruane44]

Agree with billy - this is very much down to personal choice and requirments. Independent travel is what the country needs. IMO it is the AIs that contribute little to the local economy when tourists pay for there holiday back home and then expect to spend no more in country.

All inclusives contribute alot more to the country than you can possibly imagine. Hotels employ thousands in the country from bellhops, maids, bartenders, entertainers, dishwashers, maids and countless other jobs. Families would not be able to survive without them.

 

[Celt202]

All inclusives contribute alot more to the country than you can possibly imagine. Hotels employ thousands in the country from bellhops, maids, bartenders, entertainers, dishwashers, maids and countless other jobs. Families would not be able to survive without them.

Don't forget it's the entertainers that give back so many gifts that keep on giving; chronic sociable diseases and unexpected pregnancies to name two. :squareeye

 

[laurapasinifan]

All inclusives contribute alot more to the country than you can possibly imagine. Hotels employ thousands in the country from bellhops, maids, bartenders, entertainers, dishwashers, maids and countless other jobs. Families would not be able to survive without them.

I would agree , a resort town that have several large hotels-resorts provides much much more than what the tourist could do by venturing out into the countyside..

instead of the 300-1000 pesos the tourist might spend over the few towns they would interact with, a hotel that EMPLOYS 50 people is much more an asset to the community.

imagine the puerto plata economy with out Playa Dorado!

even if the toutrist stays on site the money makes its way back into the community through the workers.

bad bob

 

[FernieBee]

...even if the toutrist stays on site the money makes its way back into the community through the workers...

i.e. sankies or professional chicas

:ninja: