On foreigners and integration

Robert · #1 12-20-2007, 12:20 PM

This is an interesting thread from a Colombia board I participate in.

On foreigners and integration (Poorbuthappy in Colombia!)

It also applies to the DR.

Slightly modified question from the above thread..

How much can and should we integrate?
Is integration something we should *try* to do - or something that we should just let happen? Should foreigners look at their bank balances and try to emulate the norms of the Dominican social classes that equal them?

KateP · #2 12-20-2007, 01:51 PM

I would say it depends what your goal is. If you're here to make money quickly and after "x" time leave the country, then by all means live in the good neighborhoods, get the best contacts possible then get the heck out of here so we can live in peace. Now if you're here because you love the country and plan to live here full time, adapt to the country as best as you can, live by your means, and bit by bit you will be "assimilated". People that move down to this country just to criticize it because it doesn't match up with their expectations end up leaving anyways. Those that love it for what it is are the ones that end up building a life here, and Dominicans being the way they are, they do accept us.

jrf · #3 12-21-2007, 07:25 AM

I am for sure 'Guy B'.
This is for two reasons.
1) I am not wealthy. I have stayed in a nice apartment while in the RD and have stayed in a $6 a night hotel as well
2) I am there because of the people, the lifestyle, the freedom that I have (being an expat brings you a certain amount of 'stardom' per se) and I love spending time and getting to know the people and the culture.

This is the level of life I am accustomed to. I feel more than comfortable being around those that have money but also enjoy the company and relationships with those that don't.

I also feel that once I had the SUV, a good sized bank account, etc. I would be living and moving in different circles.

The idea that 'assimilation' is knowing the bus drivers name or where to buy the warehouse deals on clothing amongst the locals is not the point.
Assimilating is being able to move and live within a new culture and be accepted.
For some of you that means being welcomed at the golf club and others it is that the Colmado gives you credit.

Just depends on with whom you want to be accepted.

That being said I realize it is not my country. I am a visitor or a guest and it takes a long time to really find a place or home in the RD to be really considered a Dominicano.

Kyle · #4 12-21-2007, 10:12 AM

being an expat brings you a certain amount of 'stardom' per se

please explain

Chirimoya · #5 12-21-2007, 10:24 AM

Type 1 and type 2 are the extremes - they might exist, but in reality most of us fall somewhere in between.

jrf · #6 12-21-2007, 10:34 AM

'stardom' as in being allowed to do more than what the average Dominicano would be able to do.

We are seen as having the life-being able to travel, thought of as being rich since we are even there in the first place, people will talk to you much more readily,...

What I have noticed is that there is attention and service that I receive that my Dominicano amigo, or worse if I am with a Haitian friend, that they would never get.

What's your opinion on this?

Kyle · #7 12-21-2007, 11:28 AM

i totally agree with you on that statement. but doesn't the stardom kind of push you further away from being integrated ?
when i'm out with my dominican or haitian friends, i do as they do. i try my best to downplay any special "service" if it excludes my friends.
once, i ate where they ate and got a parasite. so sometimes it doesn't always work out the way you want it too....

El_Uruguayo · #8 12-21-2007, 11:36 AM

There's some truth to that jrf, plus people might tend to remember you easier than lets say any other local, because you stick out. With regards to the service, you might get treated better at times, and tried to get ripped off many other times. So it all balances out. And yes I have no doubt that everyone that's not from haiti will get better treatment than a hatian.

El_Uruguayo · #9 12-21-2007, 11:37 AM

Maybe the parasite was "special treatment."

KateP · #10 12-21-2007, 11:42 AM

Maybe stardom isn't the best word. It's more like people recognize that we're not from here, that we're up to a point "special". Especially if we treat them like human beings and respect them, they usually return it tenfold. Of course, you have your exceptions where it'll be totally the opposite but my experience in general has been pleasant.

All my friends swear that the only thing Canadian I have about me is my passport. I love merengue and bachata (dance it like a true dominican, or so they have said), my spanish is good enough that people usually ask me if I'm dominican instead of asking which country I'm from and I think most significantly, I have more dominican friends than foreigners (mostly by choice!)!