Hello Everyone My Wife and I Live In What Most People Would Consider Tropical Paradise But For Us It's Hell We Live in a Residence With Abusive Security They Make Fun of Me and Her They Call Us Gringos They Make Dog and Farting Sounds When We Walk Buy We Are Old People We Are Scared and Feel Uncomfortable We Don't Know Where To Turn The Owner of the Apartment and the Administration Are NO Help Is This Form of Blatant Disrespect Common For The DR? We Are Canadian We Care About Out Neighbors We Are Thinking of Returning Home. Any Advice From This Group?
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Living In Hell
Wow, I’m so sorry you and your wife are dealing with this. That must feel incredibly upsetting, confusing, and honestly, just unfair. No one deserves to be treated with disrespect—especially when you’re far from home and trying to build a life somewhere new. It makes me angry on your behalf.
Please don’t let this experience make you feel isolated or helpless. I know it’s hard, but you're not alone. Unfortunately, every place has its share of difficult people, but this kind of behavior doesn’t represent the Dominican Republic as a whole. There are many kind, welcoming folks here who’d be horrified to hear what you're going through.
If you're up for it, here are some things that might help:
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Please don’t let this experience make you feel isolated or helpless. I know it’s hard, but you're not alone. Unfortunately, every place has its share of difficult people, but this kind of behavior doesn’t represent the Dominican Republic as a whole. There are many kind, welcoming folks here who’d be horrified to hear what you're going through.
If you're up for it, here are some things that might help:
- Write everything down—what happened, when, who was involved. Even if it seems small, it matters. And if you can safely record anything, that could really help later.
- Connect with other expats, especially fellow Canadians. There are Facebook groups, local meetups, and online communities where people share advice and support. You might be surprised how many people have been through something similar.
- Reach out to the Canadian embassy. They’re there to help citizens abroad, and they may have resources or advice that could make a real difference.
- Talk to a local lawyer, someone who understands tenant or harassment laws in the DR. Knowing your rights can be empowering, especially when you’re up against this kind of behavior.
- If it starts affecting your peace of mind every day, please consider moving to a different place. It’s not giving up—it’s protecting your well-being. You deserve to feel safe and respected where you live.
- If there’s a language gap, maybe a translator or mediator could help. Sometimes just having someone bridge that cultural or communication divide can calm things down.
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Farting noises? Oh the humanity. That would scare me too...... if I was from Canada.
I suggest you buy some Wheaties, eat two big bowls, take a double dose of Geritol and down several cups of black coffee and strut past them, chest out, with all the confidence of Stone Cold Steve Austin entering the wrestling ring.
Maybe make your own fart noises, real ones.
I suggest you buy some Wheaties, eat two big bowls, take a double dose of Geritol and down several cups of black coffee and strut past them, chest out, with all the confidence of Stone Cold Steve Austin entering the wrestling ring.
Maybe make your own fart noises, real ones.
OP, you have not stated where you live, but I would suggest you try living in an area where there are more "gringos" (not a derogatory term here). Try living in somewhere like Cabarete or Bavaro and I think you would be looked at as just another foreigner and receive much more respect.
I'm actually a real gringo, which is an English-speaking, Anglo-American; I have been called gringo, cracker, gaijin, and probably many other terms in my life, to me these are not insults but terms of envy, and I just smile when I hear them; this aside, if things are as you say, why don't you move???, also do you throw a little "propina" to the staff at your apartment?, I tip the security/maintenance man and housekeeper at my apartment every month, and they are always kind, courteous, and helpful.
Other than calling you "gringo" and making sounds, are they threatening (physical) in any way toward you? Calling you "gringo" is not unusual, I would not consider that as "making fun of you". Maybe just ignore it. If you feel physically threatened, then maybe think about moving. Also ask others in your complex if they are having the same issue. I can't tell you how many times I have been called "gringa", doesn't bother me at all.
Regardless that i think we do live in the Best Country on Earth, i am not the biggest fan of the Dominicans. That said, i think that"businessdr" told us just his side of the story. This mean behavior does not make any sense to me at all. You can say about Dominicans what you want BUT: In general they show a lot of respect and love to the elderly. Very Weird Story
Yes, this is my experience as well. By coincidence, my SIL has a few Canadian friends, who are already really elderly, and they have been the best friends for decades now.
Funny story, a few weeks ago we made a u-turn in a residencial area. We signaled as you would and obviously made sure that everything was fine, except that on the last minute, a pick-up truck that has seen better days decided to drive in the middle of the two lanes instead of his own lane (no potholes nor any other blockades on the road there, no need to swerve), and having cracked my driver's side window open for a bit, I clearly heard the driver shouting like an insane person "gringo loco"... I have always just ignored remarks like this, as if someone feels the need to insult a person they don't know, I think there is something wrong between the ears...
I suggest that when they start doing what you think is bad behavior that you go right over to them and sit down with them. Ask them why they do that and if they have some health problem in their butts. Make them laugh. Let them know that you can laugh at yourself too. Make a joke out of it all. Bullies usually don't bully if they don't get the desired reaction. I have confronted many people making snide remarks at me and my dogs. I made a joke of it and let them know it doesn't bother me. They call me "Americana" and I answer "Hola Dominicano" and laugh. Relax, enjoy life, laugh at the insults. As my grandmaw always said, "Don't get your bowels in an uproar".
Bu
I started in Santo Domingo, then Sousa, then back down to Santo Domingo (east side) then up here to Santiago in June of 2015.
I love it.
Having lived in the USA, Europe (west and east) and a few South East Asia countries...
there is nowhere I've been this happy. I absolutely love it here.
100% just go. There are PLENTY of suitable neighborhoods for you and the Misses here in the DR. Keep searching and you will find the right one.
Move.
I started in Santo Domingo, then Sousa, then back down to Santo Domingo (east side) then up here to Santiago in June of 2015.
I love it.
Having lived in the USA, Europe (west and east) and a few South East Asia countries...
there is nowhere I've been this happy. I absolutely love it here.
100% just go. There are PLENTY of suitable neighborhoods for you and the Misses here in the DR. Keep searching and you will find the right one.
There must be much more untold facts to the story
I have only lived here for 21 years full time. I have not once ever heard such a story even remotely similar from anyone here like the OP posted.
OP, Where exactly are you living?