mean looks?

[The Virginian]

Give them a smile, and watch. You will get the biggest, warmest smile back, then give it to someone else.

[Squat]

Originally Posted by bk_d

i'm new here and am visiting las terrenas. can anyone explain why people who live here, dominicans and haitians alike, seem to give you such nasty looks when you walk by in town and ride by on motos?

I live in Las Terrenas,and don't find it any different than Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Miami or Paris when it comes to the way folks are looking at you... People are just people. This place is just like anywhere else...

[drloca]

I still think we need more info to better answer this question...I find it hard to believe that if these "mean looks" do exist, perhaps they are warranted??

Failing this, I cant imagine anyone eliciting anything other than broad smiles from perfect starngers in the DR.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by drloca

I still think we need more info to better answer this question...I find it hard to believe that if these "mean looks" do exist, perhaps they are warranted??

Wondering the same thing.
You get what you give.....

[2LeftFeet]

Maybe they are so taken back by your beauty and don't know what to do. It appears that they are mean stares but in actuality they are dumbstruck.
Do you have something out of the ordinary? Do you have blonde crew cut? Three eyes? A tatoo that covers your face?

[mountainfrog]

Originally Posted by Squat

...in Las Terrenas... when it comes to the way folks are looking at you... This place is just like anywhere else...

Not really.
Here people give you a smile as first glance, which gives us the impression of a friendly country.As in many other developping countries people like to watch others and look at them openly and with interest. Often because there's nothing else to do...

The OP mentioned places where people tend to loiter (motoconchos, buscadores, Haitians looking for work, etc.).

Next time I go down to LT I'll look out for "bk_d" and look at the looks people give her...

m'frog

[drloca]

Originally Posted by Rocky

Wondering the same thing.
You get what you give.....

I thought beauty was in the eye of the beholder??lol

[gfractal1]

it's not exactly how it used to be. there used to be a lot more respect for women but it is getting more like some of the big towns in italy (no where near as bad, dominican men generally don't grope themselves).
the last two times I've been visiting, i've had guys follow me for several blocks making all kinds of comments. and i dress like a local when im there. older school local. no short skirts or revealing tops. generally long slacks and blouses. (especially cause im visiting grandma)
one year i was even walking with my mom who is very obviously dominican. (i dont look it though) who also ripped into the guys. a year later same thing and this time i was married and had my ring on. no issues when i was walking with my husband.
this was also in sf de macoris. not exactly what you'd call a tourist town.

the friendliness is definitely still there in general but the cat calls is something new by far. i have not experienced it in las galeras or samana though. can't say anything for LT.

[miguel]

Originally Posted by Rocky

it is highly unusual, in fact, it's unheard of.

Not so fast, Older Brother!!......

When I visited my nephew in El Naco, SD, I could NOT help but look at the next door neighbor's maid looking at me funny....I thought: "shyt, I know I am fat, short and ugly, but give me a fricking break!!. (I gues she made a point to come out whenever she heard someone come in or go out)

My brother was also with me and I asked him: "what the hell, did you see that girl giving me some dirty looks?....He replied: "I know, she gives me dirty looks every time I come here to visit".

On my way out, BOOOM, there goes the biotch (wahaha) giving me another dirty look!!. Oye vey!!.

I said to my nephew: "Man, again with the dirty look...what's wrong with that girl"...To which he replied:

"Dad (yes he calls me 'dad'), it's an inferiority complex and jealousy....She does it with whomever she thinks is doing better than her.

So there you have it, ladies and germs.....it's an inferiority complex and jealousy!!.

Shyt, I guess I raised him well...so smart. Such a genius!!!!. Wahahahaha!.

Btw: NOTHING new!.

[bk_d]

amazing that everyone here is denying this, and yet when i ask dominican or haitian friends about it everyone confirms that this phenomenon does indeed exist. some have referred to it as the 'guapo/a' stare.

also, it's pretty interesting that for such a supposedly welcoming and 'nice' board you are called ugly, schizophrenic and have photos demanded of you. i suppose it just reflects the machismo of the culture. oh well. perhaps these are the sexpats talking.

lambada- thanks for asking. it's a ramped up version of harassment you get in other cities, the usual hissing which so quickly can lead to following and groping. in addition to the street harassment you get stared down openly and in a way that implies that they feel they have the right to do so, while in public (at a store for instance). i have quickly learned to cross the streets and travel with my boyfriend in which case they mostly lay off. also, yes, i do speak spanish and initially told them to leave me alone in spanish. when that was terribly unsuccessful i gave up and just avoided them.