[WonderfullyMade]

Originally Posted by minerva_feliz

It's your call on whether or not you want to try to fit in here. Yes, no matter what you wear you will always be a foreigner, but it does influence the amount of respect you get and how you will be judged by MOST Dominicans and other foreigners as well. That might not matter to you if what you do here is tourism-related, but if not you should be a little more concerned. Personally I removed facial piercings and dress like a professional so that I can be treated as one and trusted by the population of Dominicans that I work with. If I sported visible tats and wore frumpy beach clothes everywhere, I wouldn't be able to do my work with much success. But in any line of business and even as a tourist, I think that dressing well here is appropriate, useful and safer. There is no disadvantage other than you might think it's uncomfortable or hot, which it isn't because you get used to it.

And as I said previously, the point of this thread is tips on how to fit in, not let's try to find exceptions to be like upper-class or Dominican-Yols and defend something that you like to do that is NOT the norm here. If you know so much then why not post some actual tips?

How about more tips that aren't related to physical appearance?

Hospitality:
-Do not eat food in front of others without offering them some, even if you know there isn't enough and they probably won't take it
-Offer guests who come into your house a snack or drink
-When someone comes over (assuming you want the person to be there) invite them inside your house and offer them a chair, don't leave them standing up outside
-Keep your house, yard and vehicle neat and clean

$:
-Do not discuss a money issue you have with one person with them in front of other people, whether it is a debt, payment, bad or good, etc.
-Do not ask direct money-related questions to someone you don't know well on a personal level, such as how much they make or how much something they have cost. Yes, they will answer but will probably feel uncomfortable
-Do not answer above questions if asked to you by someone you don't know very well. Why do they need to know anyway?

Higiene:
-Don't smell bad
-Don't have bad breath (buy some clorets, geez!)
-Keep your finger and toe-nails clean and nice-looking
-Keep your hair (all hair!) under control
-Ladies: shave the pits

Juanita: There are dozens of beaches with hundreds of sankies waiting to hook up with women dressed just like that!

I agree with the other poster - all the things listed above reflect good manners anywhere you live.