Safety in The DR

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Chuck T

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Nov 30, 2010
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dalmatix said:
Read all my posts on this topic, on last 3 or 4 pages
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Ok, I went back and read your posts and while spicy, I agree with most of what you say , I like an open minded debate however......I still dont understand
"Just to make conclusion... even the Haitians who live in DR are making jokes about Dominicans and their dignity and atitude with gringos... " please elaborate " dummy it down" for me.
 
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dalmatix

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RacerX said:
I think she is talking about the incredible sense of entitlement and self-righteousness some people have with respect to meeting foreigners.
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One of Haitians that I know said a pure truth... something like this: "You can give help to an Dominican thousand times and when you don't help him just one time after that, he will call you "maldito gringo"..." :) And that's a simple truth.
 
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Chuck T

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Nov 30, 2010
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dalmatix said:
One of Haitians that I know said a pure truth... something like this: "You can give help to an Dominican thousand times and when you don't help him just one time after that, he will call you "maldito gringo"..." :) And that's a simple truth.
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LOL ! Ja ja ja, however true, it is not exclusive to RD , I have friends ( acquaintances) in USA thinking the same way.
 
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dalmatix

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RacerX said:
Now tell Chuck what happens when you confront them on this issue...
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Nothing happens because they don't understand what are you talking about, people without dignity don't understand what dignity is. :) It's like to confronting them that they must not be racists and that they should not hate Haitians because of their darker colour... :)
 
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RacerX

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Nov 22, 2009
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dalmatix said:
Nothing happens because they don't understand what are you talking about, people without dignity don't understand what dignity is. :) It's like to confronting them that they must not be racists and that they should not hate Haitians because of their darker colour... :)
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That is what happens. They feign ignorance. But they know it is wrong. But many foreigners dont have the language skills to call them on it. I read them riot act. I get either rancid defensiveness or I get apologies profusely. With defensiveness I tell them "you better check which side your bread is buttered on." On the other side of the coin next time you see them they say to me "Lets forget that thing ever happened, ok?"
The maldito gringo was supposed to drop everything because YOU need help. And help only exists in the form of money, never physical, spiritual, linguistic assistance or aid. When you confront them on how self-centered they are, you the maldito gringo, are the bad guy. The widespread notion is that you exist only to be at someones beck and call in times of need, and there is always a need. And, that you are content with the concept of paying people to be your friend. That maldito gringo in kinder terms is a mal amigo. Different sentiment, same definition.
 
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dalmatix

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RacerX said:
That is what happens. They feign ignorance. But they know it is wrong. But many foreigners dont have the language skills to call them on it. I read them riot act. I get either rancid defensiveness or I get apologies profusely. With defensiveness I tell them "you better check which side your bread is buttered on." On the other side of the coin next time you see them they say to me "Lets forget that thing ever happened, ok?"
The maldito gringo was supposed to drop everything because YOU need help. And help only exists in the form of money, never physical, spiritual, linguistic assistance or aid. When you confront them on how self-centered they are, you the maldito gringo, are the bad guy. The widespread notion is that you exist only to be at someones beck and call in times of need, and there is always a need. And, that you are content with the concept of paying people to be your friend. That maldito gringo in kinder terms is a mal amigo. Different sentiment, same definition.
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Complete truth RacerX.
 
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DMD53

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KeithF said:
Having read this thread from start to finish I think it is worth pointing out that places like Cabarete are far safer than is perhaps being portrayed generally. Certainly, I feel safer walking around Cabarete or even Puerto Plata, than I do in London! I've only been 'mugged' once in my life, (beaten up but not actually robbed) and that was in my home town in the UK (Morecambe, pop around 40,000) so keep it in perspective.

So, from a tourist point of view, especially the AI tourist who is now convinced they will be mugged just walking to the gate at Playas Doradas...

Get out there and enjoy this beautiful country!!

But don't switch your brain off either!

Carry as much money as you need at that time and that you can afford to lose. Someone jumps out in front of you with a knife or a gun, give them your cash! Most thieves are 'hyped up', don't give them a reason to use the weapon. My life is more valuable to me than a few thousand pesos, he can have the pesos and I keep my life. Try and be a hero, he may well take both or 'simply' the wrong one.

If you go out dripping in gold, you'll get mugged. That's the same in London, Manchester, New York, where ever. If you are going to a 'posh dinner', you get driven there and picked up... same as you would back home. If you're an AI tourist, it's doubtful you'll be doing that though!

Most male tourists who tell you"I got robbed by a prostitute" don't add... "but I was drunk in the street at 4am and thought they really liked me". Guys, if you're approached by a girl at 4am it's not because she thinks you're a sex object! She wants cash and will go for it one way or the other. Keep walking and don't talk to her. You talk to her, you get robbed, your fault! Besides, if you followed rule 1, you'll not have much left at that point!

First time you go into the city, especially if you don't speak the language, take a guide. Our first trip, we 'chatted' to a waitress in the hotel who agreed to show us around PoP on her day off. It's a quiet city and no problem to walk around unescorted. After that first time to get some confidence and bearings, I was more than happy to go in alone. The difference with having someone is they can show you the tourist bits. Don't be a snob, you're a tourist, that's why you are there! Get the gua-gua and have your 20 pesos note in your hand when you get on.

Someone previously mentioned camera bags. I have a 'ruck-sac' type camera bag, which carries a laptop computer and about $3000 of camera equipment. But it looks like a battered old ruck-sac, not worth anything. The camera is either in use or in the bag. Insure your kit, then use it. No point carrying it all that way only to leave it in the hotel room because you've been scared into thinking you'll be robbed!

I tend to have a few large notes in one front pocket, a few in the other front pocket and small notes in back pockets. If you are pick-pocketed it is almost always the back pockets. Also, you can 'choose' when to show your cash. If you only need to pay a small amount, you can pull low denomination notes out rather than a large wad of 500 or 1000 peso notes!

If you are AI and walking around PoP, you might meet one of your friendly waiters! "hey, you know me, I'm a waiter at the ...... Hotel" where you just happen to be staying... First time this happened to me I carried on walking, convinced he wasn't but confused anyway. D'oh, these guys know all the hotels by the colour of the band you have on your wrist! You've forgotten about it, it's been there so long, they see you a mile away! If people can get you to stop walking they've a better chance of selling you something... or scamming you! Sometimes, if you ask at the reception, they will cut the band off and put another on when you get back if you let them know you are going into town. Better still, don't go AI unless it's your first trip! If you go into town with an 'official guide', they are probably on commission rather than trying to rob you. So 'negotiate'. "You can take us into four souvenir shops, and only after 3pm" or whatever. Then accept that you will buy a load of tat in the shops he takes you into. The guy has a living to make. If you are feeling nervous about the route he's taking, especially if it looks 'off the beaten track', turn around and head back to the crowds.

As the thread is actually titled "How to be Safer in the DR", could I move the conversation off crime?

Especially for tourist...

The moto-concho (sp) or 'moped taxi'. Why would you even think for a nano-second that this is a "good idea"? Do you ride a motorbike back home? Percentage wise, probably not. If you don't, why? Probably because you've had years of thinking it is 'unsafe'. So let's think this through... you won't go on a motorbike in a 'first world' country, where the roads are reasonable, the standard of driving generally okay, an ambulance will come quickly to pick you up if you come off, yet when you're on holiday, you'll jump onto the back of some kid's bike, that was last serviced when it was new and the only rule of the road is biggest wins? If you do ride a bike back home, do you wear leathers and a crash helmet? My leathers & helmet would cost about $2400 to replace. Someone once said, when asked by a novice 'how much should I spend on a crash helmet?' replied, "if you have a five dollar head, buy a five dollar helmet"... If you really want to improve your safety in the DR, avoid moped taxis like the plague. This is from someone who has a CBR 600 and has seen 140mph on the speedo... but who also witnessed a double fatality in Vietnam when a bike went under a truck (where the style of driving is very similar to DR). Two dead bodies laying in the street, one with no skin on their back from being dragged along by the lorry is a sight I'll always remember... If you want to increase your safety, just don't even think about it.
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If you are AI and walking around PoP, you might meet one of your friendly waiters! "hey, you know me, I'm a waiter at the ...... Hotel" where you just happen to be staying... First time this happened to me I carried on walking, convinced he wasn't but confused anyway. D'oh, these guys know all the hotels by the colour of the band you have on your wrist! You've forgotten about it, it's been there so long, they see you a mile away! If people can get you to stop walking they've a better chance of selling you something... or scamming you! Sometimes, if you ask at the reception, they will cut the band off and put another on when you get back if you let them know you are going into town. Better still, don't go AI unless it's your first trip

I started doing this when we first started going to Mexico same deal he said hey I saw you at the hotel when I dropped my sister off said the name all because of the tourist tag. So my solution was buying sweat wrist bands for oursleves and wearing them when we leave the AI what the hell it works plus I never smile.
 
Hillbilly

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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Being wise. That was a good tip...But let's please keep this on survival and living well here in the DR. Like this tip...so as not to stand out too much in town..

Or not carry a lot of cash or plastic even. or your 2.5 caret pear shaped rock you got for being a "good girl" ...things like that. Bling attracts the wrong element.

HB
 
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bryan1258

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Dec 24, 2007
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Here's some tips;
1- don't get really, really drunk and fall into a pit and have to rely on the sandwich guy across the street to pull your sorry ass out.
2- don't get really, really drunk and stumble over your feet banging your head on the curb then doing a back flip and skidding to a stop under a bar room table.
3- don't get really, really drunk and take home a couple of girls that look like linebackers for the Steelers when you've got your months earnings in your pocket.
 
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dalmatix

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Jul 31, 2008
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Hillbilly said:
Being wise. That was a good tip...But let's please keep this on survival and living well here in the DR. Like this tip...so as not to stand out too much in town..

Or not carry a lot of cash or plastic even. or your 2.5 caret pear shaped rock you got for being a "good girl" ...things like that. Bling attracts the wrong element.

HB
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Or... leave that country and go somewhere else where you don't have to live in fear of nothing and where the people are normal, water is clean, food is safe, police is not corrupted with 1000 pesos, without barrs on windows, free to walk during the day and night, where nobody is looking at you like a potential walking-bank just because of your skin colour, where people have dignity, where people don't tell lies from the morning 'till the evening... etc, etc ...? What about that...? :)
 
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