amazing that everyone here is denying this, and yet when i ask dominican or haitian friends about it everyone confirms that this phenomenon does indeed exist. some have referred to it as the 'guapo/a' stare.
also, it's pretty interesting that for such a supposedly welcoming and 'nice' board you are called ugly, schizophrenic and have photos demanded of you. i suppose it just reflects the machismo of the culture. oh well. perhaps these are the sexpats talking.
lambada- thanks for asking. it's a ramped up version of harassment you get in other cities, the usual hissing which so quickly can lead to following and groping. in addition to the street harassment you get stared down openly and in a way that implies that they feel they have the right to do so, while in public (at a store for instance). i have quickly learned to cross the streets and travel with my boyfriend in which case they mostly lay off. also, yes, i do speak spanish and initially told them to leave me alone in spanish. when that was terribly unsuccessful i gave up and just avoided them.
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