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Old 07-01-2008, 08:58 PM
Rocky Rocky is offline
Honorificabilitudinitatibus
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 13,673
Rocky Level 2 (98)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apostropheman View Post
use humour to smooth away any ruffled feathers caused by their attempt at over charging you.

Lambada has posted many good examples of how to deescalate this type of situation.

Don't show any anger, smile and be firm. Hand them the proper fare and walk away.
Lambada understands the culture, therefore can easily adopt the correct attitude, even in an unknown situation.
Most "newbies" would feel that they are being scammed and get angry, when in reality, what is happening is that the person "overcharging" is simply subscribing to the fundamental principles of business/capitalism, to sell a product at the price that the market will bear.
As a tourist or newbie has more cash than the average Dominican taking public transport, he is perceived as being capable and willing to pay more, so they charge more.
It's as simple as that, and one should not get offended.
Lambada has a book out that explains it in better detail, along with a zillion other DR related issues.
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