Tuesday, August 08, 2006

PERHAPS...

People have asked me many times why the guys you meet in the D.R. seem to always have their hand out.

First, let me say emphatically that not all of them have their hand out and not all of them steal.

Similar to anywhere else in the world, socio-economics play an instumental role in behavior. And while poverty doesn't necessarily lead to crime or poor behavior, it is definitely a factor when you consider ones level of desperation and education.

What does this have to do with the guys you meet in the D.R.? Well, while most of us enjoy the comforts of the Colonial Zone, the Malecon and the beach areas, there is much poverty in the city and throughout the country. A study just released by dr1.com reports that 45% of rural citizens and 31% of urban citizens live below the poverty level. Therefore, the guys are just businessmen trying to get the highest dollar for their product.














2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Its like that in every developing country, not just the D.R. I was there in December and I thought Zona Colonial was one of the better places. Go to Puerto Playa, thats worse. One should also take a look at the prostitution that goes on there, that should be the actually shame attributed to the county.

Anonymous said...

Another pitch perfect comment...

Thanks