People In General Have A Kind Of Laid-back And Not-a-care-in-the-world Attitude. This Is Not Something Bad Though. This Only Mean That The Dominican Republic Culture Do Not Stress Themselves Out With The Things That Other People Of Other Countries Fret About. The Locals Are Actually Very Friendly And Are Always Glad To Be Of Help To Any Passing Tourist. Some Even Go As Far As Offering A Cup Of Coffee Or Tea To A Total Stranger. Basically, The Culture Exudes Cheerfulness And Warmth That Can Be Likened To Its Sunny Weather All-year-round. Understanding The Culture Is Not Really Necessary For You To Have A Great Vacation On The Island. Some Tips Though On The General Behavior And Attitude Of The Locals Will Help You Get Along Your Trip Without Any Hitches. For One, People Have Been Misled By The Notion That The Island Is Unsafe For Tourists Venturing Outside The Hotels Or Resorts. Of Course, Like Any Other Place, Walking Along Deserted Streets All By Yourself May Attract Trouble. The Island Is Not Exempted From The Fact That Bad Guys Do Exist. So, Proper Discretion Is Left To The Tourist To Avoid Getting Into Unwanted Situations. One Other Thing That Most Visitors May Find Hard To Understand About The Culture Is Their Maana Habit. This Is One Trait That Has Caused Some Embarrassments Due To Lack Of Understanding Of The Local Culture. You May Have Experienced That Your Drinks Are Taking Too Long To Be Served In The Bar, Or That Youve Been Waiting Forever For The Bus To Arrive. However, If You Look Around, No One Else Seems To Mind Waiting. Everyone Is Taking His Time, Flashing A Smile, And Is Looking The Least Bit Stressed-out. One Fair Warning About The Culture That You Should Watch Out For Is Their Skills On The Road. Their Roads Are Not Exactly Some Of The Worlds Best, But The Locals Look At These As Formula 1 Race Tracks. The Road Is One Place Where Their Maana Habit Doesnt Work. You Should Exercise Care When Walking Along The Streets And Avoid Being A Walking Target. Car Horns Are Used For The Most Number Of Reasons; Either As A Greeting Or As A Warning. The Culture Is Also Strongly Expressed In Their Passion For Music And Dance. They Are Fond Of Lively Rhythm That Makes Your Heart Race And Your Hips Sway. Their Most Popular Expression Of This Passion Is The Sexy Meringue Dance. Food Comprises Another Big Part Of The Culture. Every Local Boasts Of His Cooking Skills Which Are Basically Handed Down From Previous Generations.
