Foreigners rates?

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Lambada

Can anyone enlighten me as to WHAT she is on about?

Perhaps the red square I gave her......

[MommC]

[quote=La Reina;611359]Thanks for everyone's responses, they are truly scary. It would seem that the majority think it is OK to treat people differently depending where they come from... which basically comes down in this situation to a colour of their skin ... this to me is shameful.

(Definition of discrimination: "unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about race, ethnicity, age, religion, or gender")
[UNQUOTE]

I think LaReina is a bit confused. Seems to me that it is the 'coloured' native Dominicans who are being discriminated against by the high costs associated with vacationing or living on the island.
Most Dominicans with their low to no wages haven't a hope in HADES of living the standard of life that one associates with a developed country (which the DR isn't yet even though it is making strides in becoming developed!)

I would suggest that the gov't and local and foreign owned businesses are doing what they can to alleviate this discrimination when they offer 'special' rates that SOME Dominicans are able to pay in order to enjoy the things that foreign residents and 'vacationers' take for granted.

For example the recent thread on Legend of the Sea cruises where via an agreement with the gov't the cruise company offers special rates to Dominicans in order to be able to use the port facilites as a starting point for one particular Carribbean cruise.

I'm sure that La Reina would agree that the 'programs' HER gov't provides (free schooling,medical,welfare, etc.etc) could be considered discrimination also since these things are not offered to non-citizen/visitors to |HER country.

[BushBaby]

One thing that appears to have been neglected in this thread so far is the DECENCY the tour company had in TELLING prospective clients up front, that they had a policy of helping Dominicans to experience these tours by giving them reduced rates! They COULD have kept this quiet! More kudos to them for being honest!!

The OP had a choice - accept the deal & go at the agreed price, negotiate for a reduced price or NOT go (decline). Moaning afterwards is just being childish & spiteful.

In answer to a point DRloca made, virtually EVERYTHING is left with an open price here. It is up to our negotiating expertise to get the price to one WE are content to pay & the seller is prepared to accept! Dominican Price, Resident Price, Gringo Price or TOURIST Price is up to each & every one of us. Be nice & firm in negotiating & you could get The Dominican Price - be bolshy & argumentitive & it is unlkiely you will get below the 'Gringo Price'!

When I sold tours over in Playa Dorada MANY years ago, I knew what the company minimum price was & what the 'Normal' price was. I would alter the price I sold at when I had 'good vibes' with the person I was selling to - the price stayed rock solid if the person was argumentitive or demanding. Was I discriminating by doing this??? Most likely - but then WHO started the discrimination? The prospective buyer did by thinking him/herself better than me (a lowly sales person) & demanding a better deal than I would normally offer!

Could this be what happened to the OP I wonder? ~ Grahame.

[Manigault]

I don't like the idea that there are two separate prices for foreigners and tourists. If you want to charge a foreign tax thats one thing, but to completely double or triple the price is outrageous and unacceptable.

What happens when an affluent dominican that has more money than we do and wants to partake?? Does he pay somewhere in between?

I think many people have just accepted it as, "thats just the way it is" but normally I just have a local make reservations or purchase products for me.

Many times because I am a person of colour, I purposely put on the poorest clothes that i can find in my closet and when I go shopping, I automatically get charged the dominican price..

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by La Reina

The price was never the issue, it's the blatant discrimination I am shocked at. I just wish the UK would adopt that attitude and double the price of everything for the foreigners. Sure would resolve the economy issues.

Yes it would be great to double the price for all dominicans in the USA that dont speak english.

[CFA123]

Folks, this is not an uncommon practice (and I don't think it's a bad practice).

Example:
Disney World in Florida has 'Florida resident rates' that allow unlimited use of the park for a year & discounts at some hotels and restaurants. Cost: $350 annual unlimited visits

Visitors' cost for day passes without any discounts at restaurants or hotels... Cost: $320 for 10 sequential days.

The practice is normal and not even hidden.

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by CFA123

Folks, this is not an uncommon practice (and I don't think it's a bad practice).

Example:
Disney World in Florida has 'Florida resident rates' that allow unlimited use of the park for a year & discounts at some hotels and restaurants. Cost: $350 annual unlimited visits

Visitors' cost for day passes without any discounts at restaurants or hotels... Cost: $320 for 10 sequential days.

The practice is normal and not even hidden.

Yes well I don't like the idea of talking rats anyway.

[CFA123]

Originally Posted by Manigault

Yes well I don't like the idea of talking rats anyway.

Agreed.
I'm not sure you could pay me to go to Disney at this point... been there, done that, don't want to again. ZZzzzzzz

But, the point is it's not an uncommon practice & personally I see it as giving something back to the local community that is capable of supporting you throughout the year, not just during a 3 day vacation.

[marliejaneca]

Can anyone enlighten me as to WHAT she is on about?

I am going to go out on a limb here and assume she is talking about her little red square !!!

What she does not perhaps realize is that anyone can give her negative points (if they have points to give) and the accumulation of all those negative points that she must have received after her ridiculous comments, put her into the "red zone". She must believe that only a moderator can change her status!

Just guessing that this is what she meant!

Marlie

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by marliejaneca

I am going to go out on a limb here and assume she is talking about her little red square !!!

What she does not perhaps realize is that anyone can give her negative points (if they have points to give) and the accumulation of all those negative points that she must have received after her ridiculous comments, put her into the "red zone". She must believe that only a moderator can change her status!

Just guessing that this is what she meant!

Marlie

And I already admitted to it.
I didn't like her racist statement.