I am married to a Dominican and live with him and his kids and run a colmado and sometimes I think I am getting close to understanding the way Dominicans think differently to us Europeans. Not wrong, just different. However, as I have mentioned before, Juan Dolio has many Haitians and I have many Haitian customers and friends and their way of thinking is completely different to Dominicans.
Example one. Friend for about 6 years, Haitian, been here for 2 years, left to come to DR for a better life and spotted girlfriend kissing his best friend in Haiti, so argued with girlfriend and best friend and came here. 2 years later girlfriend turns up 7 months pregnant. Says baby is his. This guy is clever. Speaks 4 languages fluently and is hoping to go to university in France. Whole life comes crashing down as now has 'wife' and baby on way. I say "excuse me but how can the baby be yours when you left 2 years ago". He explained that there is something called a 'tropical syndrome' that the woman becomes pregnant but because she is so sad and missing the baby's father the baby goes into hibernation in the womb for up to 2 or 3 years. (I think this is what Sharia law says too). Baby is born, and because he argued with his best friend, God has repaid him by making baby look like best friend to remind him of his harsh words he said to best friend all his life. He cannot be convinced that it is not his child, and other Haitians I have spoken too have agreed with him that he his is right about this 'Tropical Syndrome".
Number 2. 58 year old Haitian man has lost his 2 front teeth. Solution should be visit to dentist and get bridge fitted. No. You have all top teeth pulled out by local Haitian priest, 4 each Sunday. With pliers. No anaesthetic. Then you wait for another Haitian to die and then they take his top set and give it to you. He has been waiting 4 months for his new top set but things are looking good as another Haitian is gravely ill with 'sugar' so his luck could be in soon.
I offered to pay for him to go to local 'proper' dentist but no, this is the way it is done.
Comments? Other examples? Any idea how to understand the Haitian mentality?
Matilda
Example one. Friend for about 6 years, Haitian, been here for 2 years, left to come to DR for a better life and spotted girlfriend kissing his best friend in Haiti, so argued with girlfriend and best friend and came here. 2 years later girlfriend turns up 7 months pregnant. Says baby is his. This guy is clever. Speaks 4 languages fluently and is hoping to go to university in France. Whole life comes crashing down as now has 'wife' and baby on way. I say "excuse me but how can the baby be yours when you left 2 years ago". He explained that there is something called a 'tropical syndrome' that the woman becomes pregnant but because she is so sad and missing the baby's father the baby goes into hibernation in the womb for up to 2 or 3 years. (I think this is what Sharia law says too). Baby is born, and because he argued with his best friend, God has repaid him by making baby look like best friend to remind him of his harsh words he said to best friend all his life. He cannot be convinced that it is not his child, and other Haitians I have spoken too have agreed with him that he his is right about this 'Tropical Syndrome".
Number 2. 58 year old Haitian man has lost his 2 front teeth. Solution should be visit to dentist and get bridge fitted. No. You have all top teeth pulled out by local Haitian priest, 4 each Sunday. With pliers. No anaesthetic. Then you wait for another Haitian to die and then they take his top set and give it to you. He has been waiting 4 months for his new top set but things are looking good as another Haitian is gravely ill with 'sugar' so his luck could be in soon.
I offered to pay for him to go to local 'proper' dentist but no, this is the way it is done.
Comments? Other examples? Any idea how to understand the Haitian mentality?
Matilda