Quote:
Originally Posted by trabajadora
Hmmm, I used to be concerned about these stares as well. I think I'd have to agree with a lot of what Miguel said in his first post. But aside from that, I also have come to realize two things: (1) what might be construed as a "dirty" stare, usually is just a nosey or curiosity stare. I really don't take too much offense to it anymore as I've come to believe that people here, both Dominican and Haitian, are just curious about me or want to know who am I, what am I (meaning American, Dominican, Jamaican or whatever), why am I here, etc. At least that's what I THINK. I've come to that conclusion because I do, in fact, look different. My hair is not like anyone here for one thing. That in itself makes them wonder. And, (2) I've found that if I stare back, they will either turn the other way or stare harder. But the best thing I've found is that if I simply smile and say "hola" or "buen dia", I get a smile right back and a return greeting. I like that approach much better and it makes me feel sooo much more at ease. Friendliness and a pleasant smile go a very long way.
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i agree totally with this. when i was in SD in february, i got those "stares." i didnt take it to mean that people were giving me dirty looks but after talking to some locals, i came to believe that people might just be curious about who i am, where i came from etc...and yes, i do look "different." i was born and raised in canada but my parents are from the philippines and locals who i had talked to said that filipino people in the DR are rare. i should also mention that if i was walking down el conde on my way to and from the orphange and school where i was volunteering, i would often have people yell out to me "chinese?", "japanese?", "korean?" and even a couple said "philippines?" i thought it was funny because they were just curious about where im from. as well, the stares may have also been attributable to the fact that i am a young asian female who was travelling, exploring and volunteeering alone which i definitely didnt see a lot of in SD.
also, i was in SD the other day (just got back
) and on the way there from a connecting flight out of NYC, i saw a few dominican passengers across the aisle from me "staring." i noticed and said "hola" and after awhile, they started talking to me and asking me where i was from, why i was going to the DR etc... i might be wrong but i think that the "stares" are more out of curiousity. i dont think that anyone is intentionally trying to be rude to give dirty looks.