Dominican Republic - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Don’t just see the sights―get to know the people.

If you are looking for a country where everything works like clockwork, now might be a good time to turn back. If you can relax and go with the flow, however, you will experience a land diverse in environment, a rich and dynamic culture, and a people whose friendliness is legendary.

Flamboyant, resilient, generous, and headstrong, the Dominican psyche embodies the country's turbulent historical inheritance and reflects the diversity of their ethnicity. Centuries of Spanish rule, African influence, and the indigenous Taino legacy combine to form a cultural tapestry that is entirely unique.

This updated edition of Culture Smart! Dominican Republic looks at the beating heart of Dominican life. It explores the central role of family and social ties, and the significance of music, dance, and festivals. From the lively rhythms of merengue and bachata to the national love of baseball and the colorful cuisine, visitors will gain an insight into the passions, traditions, and values that define the Dominicans today.

Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

Originally from Gibraltar, Ilana Benady is a social anthropology and political sciences graduate with more than 25-years-experience of communications and development work in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic has been her home for over two decades. Ilana is also the co-author of Expat FAQs: Moving to and Living in the Dominican Republic. Ginnie Bedggood lived in England before moving to the Dominican Republic, which became her home for the next eighteen years. She is also the author of Quisqueya: Mad Dogs and an English Couple, a narrative that charts the early adjustment to her new surroundings in the Caribbean.