Anti-Dominicanism in Action

[Chip]

Originally Posted by expatsooner

I have never appreciated or loved America more than I do now after having spent most of the last 12 years working and living abroad.

After having spent 4 plus years abroad, the last two yers here inthe Dr I concurr with respect to our political system - it is still the best system. What I don't miss back home is the unfriendliness, it is not difficult to understand why they are mass killings every other week back home. We have lost the ability to be friendly to strangers anymore. Heck, you can't even greet some unknown person with a smile back home with out being ignored, snared or being thought of as a homosexual. Whatever we are doing wrong we need to change it. It wasn't like this when my Mom grew up or even us, everyone knew their neighbors.

[expatsooner]

Originally Posted by Chip

After having spent 4 plus years abroad, the last two yers here inthe Dr I concurr with respect to our political system - it is still the best system. What I don't miss back home is the unfriendliness, it is not difficult to understand why they are mass killings every other week back home. We have lost the ability to be friendly to strangers anymore. Heck, you can't even greet some unknown person with a smile back home with out being ignored, snared or being thought of as a homosexual. Whatever we are doing wrong we need to change it. It wasn't like this when my Mom grew up or even us, everyone knew their neighbors.

I am in the States for at least one month, sometimes up to two months a year and I still find people to be very friendly. Of course as you can tell from my user name I am from OK so I can't comment on the way it is in the rest of the country but friendliness in small towns in OK is still very much a part of the local culture.

I don't work and live outside of the States because I don't like the culture Of the States; rather I enjoy travel and seeing and experiencing new places and with my career choice I get paid to do that instead of having to save up for a two week holiday every year. And to be honest I quite like having full time domestic help, something I couldn't afford in the States.

[NALs]

It is quite possible that Chip has been influenced by the New England and Mid-Atlantic attitude on life.

Yes yes, I know Chip used to live in Orlando, Florida; but lets be realistic. Central Florida is chock full of former New England and Mid-Atlantic residents and despite being in a different environment, many of them still act as if they are still in the northeastern United States.

Reserved is an understatement when it comes to describing the typical New England native.

Its the most difficult aspect for a non-American to become accustomed to.

I've met a few Americans from the Midwest, and they also complain of the reserved nature of Americans from the northeast.

Personally, I think the weather has something to do with this.

-NALs

[Chip]

Nals - you might think that but I grew up in SC and have lived many years in GA, and NC, including some small to medium sized towns. People just aren't as friendly as they used to be. My mother says the change has been huge and she says she isn't as open anymore at the grocery store because she gets the idea that other women think she is a lesbian because she is so friendly all of the time. Times have changed, and I think this coldness has had a profound and disturbing effect on our culture. I don't think it is a stretch why we see so many mass killings anymore - most of the people who do this have voiced their disgust and being bullied or mistreated so much.

With all of the problems we have here in the DR the fact is the people are so nice and friendly and open makes up for a whole, whole lot.

[fightfish]

Iam American and agree that people are not nearly as open these days. And a great part of this,I believe, has to do with the media. When I was growing up, my friends and I ran all over town playing, sketeboarding, fishing etc. That was in the 70's and 80's. Now my brother keeps his kids under lock and key as do most of my friends with their children, due to their thinking that the children are in danger of abduction, molestation, etc. This may or may not happen more today than in decades past, but one thing is certain, the media's 24 hour doomsday coverage profoundly affects the psyche of the U:S. population. And that, I think, is at least one major cause for the attitudes found there.

[Chip]

While the media may play a role with it's negative press, it should be apparent that things have changed for the worse and the overall percentage of violent mass murders has increased including upductions of children. Believe me if things were happening this frequently in the 70's they would have been reported. What about the 50's? a story of a mass murder of 7 people in a mall would have been the headlines for weeks on end. Remember after Columbine? Heck, we get a mass murder at a business/mall/school at least once a month anymore so much so that we are becoming immune to it - this wasn't even the case when Columbine happened.

Also, people have become so rude anymore when they are driving and when they are complaining about services rendered or a product.

Also, the peer pressure kids are under anymore is tremendous anymore as many parents have lost control of their kids. I experienced a lot of rejection when I attended a public high school after 8 years in a Catholic school but have been surprised to find out from parents of children I have known just how bad things have become even since then.

End result, things have changed for the worse.

[Chirimoya]

I've never really come across Dominicans being hostile to/about Haitians and vice-versa. Apart from on this forum, of course.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Chip

While the media may play a role with it's negative press, it should be apparent that things have changed for the worse and the overall percentage of violent mass murders has increased including upductions of children. Believe me if things were happening this frequently in the 70's they would have been reported. What about the 50's? a story of a mass murder of 7 people in a mall would have been the headlines for weeks on end. Remember after Columbine? Heck, we get a mass murder at a business/mall/school at least once a month anymore so much so that we are becoming immune to it - this wasn't even the case when Columbine happened.

Also, people have become so rude anymore when they are driving and when they are complaining about services rendered or a product.

Also, the peer pressure kids are under anymore is tremendous anymore as many parents have lost control of their kids. I experienced a lot of rejection when I attended a public high school after 8 years in a Catholic school but have been surprised to find out from parents of children I have known just how bad things have become even since then.

End result, things have changed for the worse.

8 billion peeps in the world today, Chip.

Too many rats in the cage.

[dv8]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

I've never really come across Dominicans being hostile to/about Haitians and vice-versa. Apart from on this forum, of course.

i work with both dominicans and haitians and they are not at each other's throats either.

the only case of "hostility" i ever heard of was minovio telling me haitians eat cats. it has, however been confirmed by my haitian co-worker who exclaimed "wow! i'd have enough food fow a week!" after seeing a pic of my cat. so i guess it was truth after all...

[korejdk]

Originally Posted by Chip

Nals - you might think that but I grew up in SC and have lived many years in GA, and NC, including some small to medium sized towns.

I wonder what you'd think of NYC...