Jerry,

In one sense you are correct -- it is sometimes said with vehemence or nestiness in Mexico, but rarely so in the DR. Many Dominicans in fact are hesitant to even use the term, prefering instead "norteamericano" (North American).

I lived in the DR for four years (up until last month) and my wife is Dominican. For a long time after moving there when people would ask me where I was from, I would make fun of my accent by smiling and saying "claro, no hay duda que soy gringo." Some laughed heartily, but I noted that others were a bit uncomfortable about the joke. At one point a kind Dominican lady just a bit older than I said softly, "Don Keith, 'gringo' is an ugly, crude word that people here with any education would never use, and certainly not for someone as Dominican in his heart as you. Please use 'norteamericano' if you feel you have to classify yourself at all."

I never used "gringo" again! Regards, Keith