[JohnMitchel]

I just returned from a wonderful 8 day trip to La Romano. No Casa de Campo this time, no golf, just hung out with my Dominican friends in the city. The only luxury was a room at Hotel Olympo. (A large 2 room suite, A/C, very clean, small ref. for drinks, large shower with plenty of hot water, 5,000DOP for 7 nights, also a great restaurant.) I also rented a car from a local company, 2003 Camry for $242USD for 7 days. (San Pedro rent-a-car, cxa)

Weather was fanatic; people were very warm and friendly, local food delicious. Found out that I could buy a cell phone and calling cards cheaper than I could use my US cell.

Now know why Dominican women never have any money on them. (The do not carry handbags and their pants are so tight that they can not put money in their pockets.) Went to the public beach at Dominicus, spent a day at my friends home town in Villa Altagracia.

The only thing I could not find was a battery for my digital camera. Everything else I needed was found in local department stores, grocery and specialty shops. My sunburn needs were taken care of by my new friend at the Santa Barbara Pharmacy.

I do have 2 questions. What is the deal with the upturned lip just before most Dominicans say “que”? Second, why was I stopped by the police for no seat belt and talking on my cell, when you can have 5 people on a motorcycle, run any stoplight; drive at night with no lights, ect. ect?

[Viyzarei]

The raised lip you are talking about which kind of crunches up your nose is often demonstrated when a Dominican is perplexed or annnoyed at something you said. Sometimes, the action is not accompanied by a verbal "que" but is done in place of it. In essence it means, " what did you say?".Larry

It is also usually accompanied by a slight scrunching down of the eyebrows at the same time. It is done very quickly, so if you are not used to it it can be a disconcerting, confusing gesture. You might think "What was that" and start scrunching your own face in confusion.

It's a cultural phenomenon used to say "Huh?" - "What?" - "I didn't understand you"

My interpretation is that if it is done visibly and demonstrably longer than the "huh" version, THEN it means irritation and/or disbelief. A scrunch held in place for a moment or two.

Any other Latin/Caribbean cultures utilize this gesture?

When I was trying to "learn Dominican" some of the other gestures I got a real charge out of learning and trying to interpret are:

The hand symbol for "a lot of people" - Upturned fingers in hands tapping apart, almost in a praying formation.

The hand symbol for "rain" - A single down turned hand with fingers in a bit of a claw shape, the hand moving up and down.

The hand/arm symbol for "cheap" (as in tightwad) - An arm curled in a bit of a muscle flexing pose, with the opposite had tapping in the elbow.

Am I on the money or not with these perhaps uniquely Dominican gestures?

- Festero del Norte

[DailyRingtone]

chuckuindy,

you obviousle haven't read our YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOMINICAN IF........
board.

there it tells you that using face gestures to express ourselves is a very common thing for we Dominicans.

search for the board ,mentioned above..... it'll be a big help.

[Finanziamento]

You were stopped because you were breaking one of the laws that the police are trying to enforce.

[RussellPG]

The raised lip you are talking about which kind of crunches up your nose is often demonstrated when a Dominican is perplexed or annnoyed at something you said. Sometimes, the action is not accompanied by a verbal "que" but is done in place of it. In essence it means, " what did you say?".

Larry

[Jimambol]

It is also usually accompanied by a slight scrunching down of the eyebrows at the same time. It is done very quickly, so if you are not used to it it can be a disconcerting, confusing gesture. You might think "What was that" and start scrunching your own face in confusion.

It's a cultural phenomenon used to say "Huh?" - "What?" - "I didn't understand you"

My interpretation is that if it is done visibly and demonstrably longer than the "huh" version, THEN it means irritation and/or disbelief. A scrunch held in place for a moment or two.

Any other Latin/Caribbean cultures utilize this gesture?

When I was trying to "learn Dominican" some of the other gestures I got a real charge out of learning and trying to interpret are:

The hand symbol for "a lot of people" - Upturned fingers in hands tapping apart, almost in a praying formation.

The hand symbol for "rain" - A single down turned hand with fingers in a bit of a claw shape, the hand moving up and down.

The hand/arm symbol for "cheap" (as in tightwad) - An arm curled in a bit of a muscle flexing pose, with the opposite had tapping in the elbow.

Am I on the money or not with these perhaps uniquely Dominican gestures?

- Festero del Norte

Yes, you have it right.

[Jenisoisy]

You were stopped because you were breaking one of the laws that the police are trying to enforce.

Ken, you need to add one word at the end of the sentence, "selectively".

Regards,
PJT

[Adamdjeffe]

The elbow tapping is not unique to the DR - I have seen Cubans do it as well as others of Latin background here in Toronto.