Love, Lust or Lie

[Kyle]

are your encounters with males/females (as tourists and ex-pats) in the Dominican Republic love, lust or lie ? do you know the difference and how can you tell ?

[Berzin]

For me, its' been a combination of love, lust and stupidity.

For them, its' been all about seeking an opportunity while putting forth the least amount of effort.

But I have learned from all that. No one can walk you through life. Even intelligent people act foolishly at times, and now thanks to my experiences I know better.

[rio2003]

For me,

Love - thought so twice, heart broken both times and as a result have formed an opinion (my opinion) that Dominicans are incapable of love on the level that I know it, if at all!

Lust - oh yes. Two consenting adults and all that. I have now changed my perspective and thinking to that similar to a Dominican, take each day as it comes, dont expect too much and if it feels good, do it!

Lies - not on my part but never ceased to be amazed at the lies I have been told that I am expected to believe, and they will still continue to do so even when presented with overwhelming evidence that it IS a lie.

[AnnaC]

Unfortunately the lust that is blindly mistaken for love makes one also blinded to the lies until one has enough.

I haven't said this in a while but please to not generalize about Dominicans. Not all Dominicans are liars or scammers.

[rio2003]

Sorry - I should have phrased it in such a way as to mean that the Dominicans that I have crossed paths with were incapable of "love" in the sense that I know it, but then that would perhaps suggest that the problem lies with me? I don't believe it does.
I didn't mean to generalise for the whole of the species.
Rio

[AnnaC]

Originally Posted by rio2003

I didn't mean to generalise for the whole of the species.
Rio

Not a problem. I just need to say it once in a while.

You're more than likely a very good and generous person and some people look for those qualities to take advantage of until we learn that not everyone works on the same ideals. It's easier to spot in our own country but it all sounds so much better with an accent.

[Kyle]

as a tourist, i never come to the DR looking for love so i guess i'm a Lust man looking for the Lust women. additionally, the lies i may hear don't really matter because my feelings are back in the US in the lockbox.
most women i meet in the DR seem to pick up on that fact and hence our involvement is predicated on the number of days i am there on vacation. and when i leave there is no mention of when i am returning.
i'm happy, they're happy....everybody's happy !!

[CyaBye3015]

From my perspective LOVE is involved in every relationship.......but it may not be you their in love with, it may be your money.

[catcherintherye]

As with most things, this too is a matter of definition. Different people define words and phrases differently. To some love is exclusive, to others love is all inclusive, and to others still there is no such thing as abstract love. While lust has an apparent universal definition, perhaps there are degrees of passion that are separated by nuance, situation, and circumstance.

But the crux of the question is the definition of lies. Something that might not be true at one point in time, might well be true at another. Conversely, what is true in one instance might be completely false in another.

I know it sounds as though I am belaboring what should be a simple question, but humans being as complex and contradictory as they are, the answer requires more than a one word answer. Man's duality, and the levels and depth of defining and interpretating cross-lingual and cross-cultural words and phrases make an easy answer impossible.

So, I guess what I am suggesting is, there will always be miscommunication between the sexes, and certainly between the sexes based in two diverse cultures. Such is the nature of love, lust and lies. And, I think, those are the elements that make the relationships that evolve in these circumstances so interesting and gratifying.
Viva la difference!

[rio2003]

Originally Posted by Kyle

as a tourist, i never come to the DR looking for love so i guess i'm a Lust man looking for the Lust women. additionally, the lies i may hear don't really matter because my feelings are back in the US in the lockbox.
most women i meet in the DR seem to pick up on that fact and hence our involvement is predicated on the number of days i am there on vacation. and when i leave there is no mention of when i am returning.
i'm happy, they're happy....everybody's happy !!

I am whispering this as it is perhaps more acceptable for men to express themselves on this issue, but tentatively and gingerly I am putting my hand up in agreement with you Kyle, even though I am female.
I no longer have any expectations whatsoever in a liason/relationship and have discovered again the fun and the spirit of what I love about the DR. I go home after my trips promising only to call one person - my female best friend - knowing that when I return I can always pick up where I left off or not bother. Hence, love and lies no longer enter the equation, just lust now and again!