What is the deal with WALKING ! In Santo Domingo streets Alone

[rey]

What’s the deal with my doorman , barber , security guards in the streets , street food vendors , and my Dominican “girlfriends” asking me WHY ARE YOU WALKING in the Santo Domingo streets ?

Every other day when I get out my house and decide to take a WALK in the streets either all the way to me barber shop , or the MALL or the supermarket or bodega or restaurant I have everyone who I interact asking me the the same question on a way that SEEMS as if am committing suicide or at least something incredibly stupid…..

Any suggestions why they keeps asking me “PERO NO SEÑOR NO HAGA ESO ! , NO CAMINE EN LA CALLE” **** “ HAY SEÑOR USTED NO SABE DONDE ESTÁ ? Esta en SANTO DOMINGO” ****** “ MI AMOR TU ERES AMERICANO 🇺🇸 TU NO PUEDE CAMINAR “ ***** “ USTED SE ESTÁ BUSCANDO UN PROBLEMA “ ******* “ TU ERE UN HOMBRE BLANCO”


It’s really getting annoying , can y’all tell me if they are just PARANOID or is it that Americans are a TARGET ? or is it that am wearing AIR JORDAN sneakers jajajaja 🤣…. It’s getting ridiculous


may I ask y’all opinion about why this situation it’s happening ? Is it because they know am “AMERICANO” ? Or what


Thanks

 

[Liberator]

People in SDQ have a sense 'outsiders' I suppose, or it has to do with non-verbal behaviour. I'm in SDQ since late 80's and I really don't care and it passes me by what is called or said. In a way I'm living my life the same way my friends, neighbours and family does.
Air Jordans?..... That's so 90's

 

[johne]

Air Jordans?..... That's so 90's

There isn't a person in SD that doesn't know the AJ are counterfeits. Not one person will think other than he knows where to get them for DOP 2000.So, OP Rey , Doms are VERY adept at knowing where you come from. Your face, clothes, hat, your walk, where you're located will tell them in a flash who you are.

 

[beeza]

Dominican don't like to WALK anywhere. Their skin is not waterproof or sun resistant. Hence why they don't go out in the rain or sun.

I enjoy WALKING and I have WALKED around SANTO DOMINGO many times without any bother.

 

[rey]

Dominican don't like to WALK anywhere. Their skin is not waterproof or sun resistant. Hence why they don't go out in the rain or sun.

I enjoy WALKING and I have WALKED around SANTO DOMINGO many times without any bother.

Good input

 

[rey]

There isn't a person in SD that doesn't know the AJ are counterfeits. Not one person will think other than he knows where to get them for DOP 2000.So, OP Rey , Doms are VERY adept at knowing where you come from. Your face, clothes, hat, your walk, where you're located will tell them in a flash who you are.

Great reply

 

[NanSanPedro]

I walk in SD, SD Este, and Boca Chica all the time. I have been mugged 4 times (3 successfully) in 5+ years I have either come as a tourist or lived here. Each time it was my fault in that I went in a secluded area. I still walk a lot, especially in SD Este/San Isidro. I am much more careful of my suroundings and never go to secluded areas. It's probably been over a year since the last time.

Hopefully never again but you never know. I try to hide my wallet inside my pants when walking. I keep around 1k pesos in my pocket to satisfy a potential mugger. I don't do bling because that's just me.

I also get the warnings from Dominicanos. They are looking out for us. I appreciate it and never argue with them.

 

[chrisgy]

They are only looking out for you.

It is dangerous to walk in some non tourist zone areas in the Dominican Republic.

I will walk in most tourist zones at normal times of the day and in normal evenings but I wouldn't in many other areas of the Dominican Republic.

In some non tourist zone areas in the Dominican Republic if a moto with two dudes roll pass you and double back to you, just be ready to empty your pockets and live to see another day.

 

[Jan]

I had my purse torn off by a motor guy in Colonial Zone mid day. There was nothing important in it a few hundred pesos, an old point and click camera and my house keys. I went home and changed the locks right away. That was around 18 years ago (I've lived here 21 years).

I walk almost everywhere unless it's just too far. If I see a motor slowing down or doubling back or feel uncomfortable I enter the closest business or a few times someones porch.

I walk barrios and little alleys in Santo Domingo Este 2 times daily but always with my dogs. I carry a stick, mostly to shoo away agressive gods but I did have to smack 2 humans with my stick for just being crazy about me and my dogs. I have been warned a few times not to walk somewhere and I always listen. I've even been escorted out of a few narrow alleys by some human worried about my safety. I thank them.

I usually do not carry my phone but it is so old if someone did see it they would just turn away. I also keep cash, if it's more than a few hundred pesos, in different places on my person.

Walk. Enjoy. Just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[drstock]

I carry a stick, mostly to shoo away agressive gods

Yes, you have to be careful of those aggressive gods!

 

[Jan]

Yes, you have to be careful of those aggressive gods!

I'm saying! Lol

 

[NALs]

Dominican don't like to WALK anywhere.

It has always been like this, not just in recent years.

Case in point, the Dominicans don't like to walk topic was quickly touched in this very recent Dominican radio show conversation among three Dominicans.

42:02

You will also see references to Dominicans not liking to walk in old books and even articles from the 19th and 18th centuries, times when there were no cars as we know them in the DR. The issue of in many places there are no sidewalks and in others sidewalks are used by the owners of the colliding property as it is part of their private poperty is also touched, but they don't make the connection that the reason sidewalk infrastruture is horrible in the DR is precisely because few Dominicans actually walk anywhere and not the other way around. Another issue but not mentioned is the size of many sidewalks, which are considerably tighter than sidewalks in many other countries. Two people walking side-by-side will not fit, one will have to go on the street when passing someone else. Not walking means that sidewalks are often seen as decorative for a private poperty more so than for walking.

PS. It should be noted that this radio station is in the Lugo neighborhood, right behind Parque Independencia. Telemicro headquarters is on the edge of this neighborhood. In other parts of the conversation they talk about the Colonial Zone, one says he prefers to go to the Colonial Zone than to the Polígono Central, etc.

 

[malko]

Better-off dominicans dont walk ( they might have to interact with a peasant, God Forbid !! 😆😆).
Then there is am association between rich and gringo.
Hence gringos don't/shouldn't walk.

The few times that I am forced to go to SD, I walk around and/or use carros publicos ( and uber ). There are quite a few Dominicans walking around.

A year ago I was staying at the Embassy Suites, and the doorman wanted me to use a taxi. Its not safe !!! yeah, right.
When I whistled down a carro publico on the road, the doorman crossed himself 😀😀😀, I think he thought he would never see me again🙄🙄.

 

[rey]

I had my purse torn off by a motor guy in Colonial Zone mid day. There was nothing important in it a few hundred pesos, an old point and click camera and my house keys. I went home and changed the locks right away. That was around 18 years ago (I've lived here 21 years).

I walk almost everywhere unless it's just too far. If I see a motor slowing down or doubling back or feel uncomfortable I enter the closest business or a few times someones porch.

I walk barrios and little alleys in Santo Domingo Este 2 times daily but always with my dogs. I carry a stick, mostly to shoo away agressive gods but I did have to smack 2 humans with my stick for just being crazy about me and my dogs. I have been warned a few times not to walk somewhere and I always listen. I've even been escorted out of a few narrow alleys by some human worried about my safety. I thank them.

I usually do not carry my phone but it is so old if someone did see it they would just turn away. I also keep cash, if it's more than a few hundred pesos, in different places on my person.

Walk. Enjoy. Just be aware of your surroundings.

I am extremely surprised you mention LA ZONA COLONIAL I though LA ZONA COLONIAL was the safest area in the whole country ; I mean according to my doorman la zona colonial it’s more protected than FORT KNOX , OR is he ( doorman ) mistaken ?

 

[NALs]

I am extremely surprised you mention LA ZONA COLONIAL I though LA ZONA COLONIAL was the safest area in the whole country ; I mean according to my doorman la zona colonial it’s more protected than FORT KNOX , OR is he ( doorman ) mistaken ?

After reading a few of your threads, I have to say you seem to have a somewhat unrealistic notion of the DR.

Look, one of the placest you thought is not as safe as the Zona Colonial.

Begins to drive in the "dangerous streets" around 5:30.

Imagine, everywhere is so dangerous that no one can travel in nice cars or in ATV's except in gated communities. The DR is completely lost. Don't leave the house without the bulletproof vest and the bazuka, you know for protection,.

 

[Jan]

I am extremely surprised you mention LA ZONA COLONIAL I though LA ZONA COLONIAL was the safest area in the whole country ; I mean according to my doorman la zona colonial it’s more protected than FORT KNOX , OR is he ( doorman ) mistaken ?

I lived in the Zone for 16 years. It is just as safe-not safe as other areas. I've seen lots of crime there. I live in Villa Duarte now.

 

[Big]

I am unfamiliar with this anti walking concept. I walk all over all the time. I walked to the museum of modern art the other day from the el ambassador hotel. You pass many parks. Not one single time did I think about safety.

 

[NALs]

I am unfamiliar with this anti walking concept. I walk all over all the time. I walked to the museum of modern art the other day from the el ambassador hotel. You pass many parks. Not one single time did I think about safety.

That's you walking long distances. Dominicans don't like to walk, so most will only walk very short distances and only if they feel obligated to do it. If going to the corner can be done walking or in a pasola, the pasola wins even if the ride is literally a minute or two and consist of literally going down the road.

That along with greater access to fatty foods is one of the reasons waist are expanding nationwide in a country since ever most of the people were as thick as a toothpick.

 

[Big]

That's you walking long distances. Dominicans don't like to walk, so most will only walk very short distances and only if they feel obligated to do it. If going to the corner can be done walking or in a pasola, the pasola wins even if the ride is literally a minute or two and consist of literally going down the road.

That along with greater access to fatty foods is one of the reasons waist are expanding nationwide in a country since ever most of the people were as thick as a toothpaste.

I have said many times. Carbohydrates have caused more health problems here than smoking.

 

[rey]

I am unfamiliar with this anti walking concept. I walk all over all the time. I walked to the museum of modern art the other day from the el ambassador hotel. You pass many parks. Not one single time did I think about safety.

Thanks for the input …

I have a question for you BIG , you said you walk from the embajador to the museum ; WHAT time was this ? was it morning or day time ? And also would you dare to do the same exact walk at nighttime say after 8:00pm ?

Thanks