Etiquette for Expats Moving to the Dominican Republic: Do’s and Don’ts
Are you moving to the Dominican Republic? If so, take some time to familiarize yourself with the country’s customs, culture, and etiquette. Understanding the cultural norms will help you navigate social situations, interact with locals respectfully, and fully immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the DR!
Below, we’ll discuss a few etiquette do’s and don’t’s in the Dominican Republic, from basic greetings to dress and grooming. To learn more, keep reading!
Meeting and Greeting Locals
In the Dominican, personal connections are highly valued, and there’s a great emphasis on interacting with respect and politeness. You want to display a healthy amount of personal interest while not being too familiar. There are some standard practices with demeanour and body language that you can follow:
When greeting someone, DO:
- Offer a handshake and maintain eye contact
- Wear a warm and friendly smile
- Use titles such as “Senor” (Mr.) and “Senora” (Mrs.) in a formal setting or when greeting older adults
- Show genuine interest in the person you’re speaking with
DO NOT:
- Prolong a handshake. Your grip should be firm but not too strong.
- Use disrespectful language or speak in an overly casual manner
- Ask overly personal questions
- Invade personal space
Attending Social Gatherings
The culture in the Dominican emphasizes friendliness and personal interest, particularly in more social settings. A certain level of respect and appreciation for hospitality is expected to be shown, and you must treat everyone with kindness to maintain a cheerful, positive atmosphere!
When attending a social gathering, DO:
- Greet everyone individually, even if you’re not personally acquainted
- Be on time or slightly early
- Accept a kiss on the cheek and be willing to return the greeting
- Actively participate in conversation and group activities
- Have respect for social hierarchy – the head of the household or older persons present will be given special attention and pointed respect
- Focus on neutral subjects like sports, food, and entertainment to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere
DO NOT:
- Ignore or neglect to acknowledge any guests at the gathering
- Reject a kiss on the cheek
- Refuse to participate in planned activities
- Speak disrespectfully towards an older person or the host
- Discuss controversial subjects like politics, religion, or other generally divisive topics
Dining and Meals
Table manners are considered vitally important when dining in the DR, both in formal and informal settings. You want to display appreciation for the food you’ve been provided, and your manners should be dignified.
When sitting down to a meal, DO:
- Wait for the host to begin eating before you start
- Keep hands visible on the table
- Accept a second helping if offered
- Attempt to finish everything served to you to display appreciation for the meal
- Place your napkin on your lap
DO NOT:
- Rest your elbows on the table
- Reject a second plate of food if offered
- Place your napkin in your shirt/below your neck
Dress and Grooming
The standard of dress in the Dominican Republic favours modest and conservative fashion. Casual clothing is perfectly acceptable in casual settings, but certain items are inappropriate for more formal occasions.
When choosing clothes, DO:
- Dress formally when attending weddings, business meetings, religious events, and other formal occasions. Men should wear suits or a collared shirt and dress trousers. Women should wear elegant dresses or a blouse and dress trousers
- Change out of swimwear when leaving the beach or poolside
- Wear lightweight and light-coloured fabrics to match the climate
- Wear comfortable footwear (sandals, open-toed shoes etc) in causal settings and closed-toed shoes in formal or religious settings
DO NOT:
- Wear overly revealing clothing, graphics with suggestive and/or offensive imagery, and any other textiles considered inappropriate
- Wear swimsuits or other beach wear to restaurants, cafes, markets, or any public place besides the beach or pool
- Dress casually in formal settings
Other General Etiquette Tips
Here are a few other etiquette tips that ex-pats should keep in mind when interacting with DR locals:
- Wages are generally low, so offer a fair and generous tip to service workers or locals who offer you assistance and/or favours!
- Speak and behave respectfully about religious customs, traditions, and beliefs
- Learn a few greetings and partings in Spanish (the local language) to display interest in the culture and get around more easily
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