Are sankies exclusive to the DR?

[latinarubia]

I haven't travelled all that much but why is it that this behaviour seems to be so popular in the DR? This is obviously a DR forum where more people would express the issue pertaining specifically to the DR but have others witnessed this magnitude of sankieism elsewhere?

[AnnaC]

Are sankies exclusive to the DR?

Absolutely NOT!
Sankie or gigalo, scammers, users, abusers are everywhere in the world but because this message board is about the DR it just seems like that's the only place.

[xamaicano]

Originally Posted by latinarubia

I haven't travelled all that much but why is it that this behaviour seems to be so popular in the DR? This is obviously a DR forum where more people would express the issue pertaining specifically to the DR but have others witnessed this magnitude of sankieism elsewhere?

Nope, it occurs in other tourist destinations in the Carribean, particularly Cuba and Jamaica.

[Angel_04]

Girl, definately NOT! Anna is completely right.. there are "SANKY-TYPES" everywhere around the world. Do a bit more travelling and you shall see. Hell, I am sure that if you look around in your own country you will see that there are pro husslers, thieves, scammers etc. everywhere. I think it's just that the tourist areas seem to be places where these people find "easier" targets! Go to any Caribbean island and you will see that there are sankies "working it" there too!

[A.J.]

Sankies etc. are avalible worldwide - you can find them any place there is a high level of tourists. Imagine they exist in such places as Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, and even beautiful Whistler.

The only thing that the dominican republic has on them all is they have a special name - Sanky. Never heard it used anywhere else.

[stormer]

Originally Posted by A.J.

Sankies etc. are avalible worldwide - you can find them any place there is a high level of tourists. Imagine they exist in such places as Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, and even beautiful Whistler.

The only thing that the dominican republic has on them all is they have a special name - Sanky. Never heard it used anywhere else.

He-he this is so true, and especially about the Sankie part. But ladies beware, they are not as crafty in other "hot" destinations. When I was in Mexico this year I almost laughed at how un-professional their sankism was.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by latinarubia

I haven't travelled all that much but why is it that this behaviour seems to be so popular in the DR? This is obviously a DR forum where more people would express the issue pertaining specifically to the DR but have others witnessed this magnitude of sankieism elsewhere?

In one sense, they are exclusive to the DR, as this is the only place where they are called by that name.
When I first moved here, they were called "sanky pankies".
It would seem that they had trouble pronouncing "hanky panky" that they commonly heard from the tourists here, and would offer their wares, mispronouncing it as "sanky panky", which later got shortened to just Sanky".
At that time, they all had long braided hair. That was their trademark.
When the government decided to clean up the streets of prostitutes and sankies, some odd 8 years ago, the sankies all rushed to the barber to cut their dreadlocks off.
Now they dress a bit New York street style and frequently have earrings.
What is distinct about them is that most of them will swing both ways for the right amount of money, whereas a gigolo from elsewhere might not.

[Bartolomeo67]

in Cuba sankies are called 'jinetera' or 'jinetero' from the word 'jinete' which means 'jockey'. Indeed, they are riding on the back of the tourists trying to get as much money or presents from them as long as the vacation lasts.
Bartolomeo

[latinarubia]

I have to say that my experierences in Cuba did not compare to the Sankies gone wild in the DR but then again that was only in Varadero where the locals are always under a watchful eye. I know it's a silly question as this sort of thing is typical in resorts all over the world but this behaviour is not limited to just the hotel workers, that locals at clubs or bars are no better.

[NY1]

How do you think Stella Got Her Groove Back?