I wrote in my "Second Anniversary Living F/T in the DR" post that I'm a little more cynical than when first arriving. Let me clarify: I'm more cynical in institutional efficiency...telephone, power, general customer service and gubmint efficiencies, etc., not in day-to-day living and interactions with Dominicans.
But compared to some posts I read I'm a wide-eyed Pollyanna-esque optimist.
Some time ago I got to thinking: why? Why am I far less cynical that many here on DR1? I certainly have a lot of experience being here: traveled here often since '87, spent 12-15 weeks a year in the DR since '94 and lived here f/t for over two years now. I've established two credible businesses and lived in harmony with just a couple of bumps in the road. I have traveled often to every corner of the country. I've interfaced with folks from all walks of life here. Why am I not as cynical as many others here? It's not from lack of exposure.
No doubt there numerous factors that involve the individual as a person. But lately as I go through posts that tend to be either positive or negative vis-a-vis the DR I've started to see a pattern develop and wanted to toss it out for discussion.
Hypothesis:
It seems that folks who visit and live on the North Coast-the Costambar/POP/Sosua/Cabrete areas specifically-tend to have more "bad' things happen to them and are more negative and cynical than most others. Even folks who live in the Capital....who have to endure all sorts of challenges in greater volume than the North Coast...seem less negative and cynical that the folks on the North Coast. (Note: this is not a bash of the North Coast, just a discussion.)
Has anyone else noticed this? And if so, why do you think one factor of that cynicism is geographical in nature?
I have a few thought as to why but want to hear from y'all first, especially folks who live here and don't just parachute in for vacation.
What say you?
*gavel passed*
But compared to some posts I read I'm a wide-eyed Pollyanna-esque optimist.
Some time ago I got to thinking: why? Why am I far less cynical that many here on DR1? I certainly have a lot of experience being here: traveled here often since '87, spent 12-15 weeks a year in the DR since '94 and lived here f/t for over two years now. I've established two credible businesses and lived in harmony with just a couple of bumps in the road. I have traveled often to every corner of the country. I've interfaced with folks from all walks of life here. Why am I not as cynical as many others here? It's not from lack of exposure.
No doubt there numerous factors that involve the individual as a person. But lately as I go through posts that tend to be either positive or negative vis-a-vis the DR I've started to see a pattern develop and wanted to toss it out for discussion.
Hypothesis:
It seems that folks who visit and live on the North Coast-the Costambar/POP/Sosua/Cabrete areas specifically-tend to have more "bad' things happen to them and are more negative and cynical than most others. Even folks who live in the Capital....who have to endure all sorts of challenges in greater volume than the North Coast...seem less negative and cynical that the folks on the North Coast. (Note: this is not a bash of the North Coast, just a discussion.)
Has anyone else noticed this? And if so, why do you think one factor of that cynicism is geographical in nature?
I have a few thought as to why but want to hear from y'all first, especially folks who live here and don't just parachute in for vacation.
What say you?
*gavel passed*