Why Expats Overspend in the Dominican Republic

[@GT60616]

Excellent info guys totally make sense!

[@NorberisR]

Thank you🤗

[@ricoyoung8373]

Great video and very good information. I am very happy to hear you acknowledge that it is a double edge sword. I can clearly state that I am part of the problem as I always tip 20% as a minimum as that’s the norm in the US. As I was once a former server and know the hardship of tip workers who rely solely on tips for their livelihood my conscience could never allow me to do less. Especially considering the majority of tip workers are single mothers it drives me even harder. But I absolutely understand your position about the artificial inflation. I am just glad that you can see clearly both sides of the discussion. Salute to you and continued success to the channel 🙏

[@NorberisR]

Thanks, Rico!

[@titeofcpt2867]

😂😂😂 did u say "Thumb-Thuggin'" lmao. U could make a good buck off of making T-shirts off of ur sayings 😂❤

[@NorberisR]

He is always saying crazy things that I don't understand 🤔

[@ricolaw1033]

Thumb Thugging is hilarious and so apropos for so many internet trolling 😂😂😂😂

[@JAYEasty23]

Yall dont overdo it in RD yall stay blessed Norberis

[@NorberisR]

Don't worry we wont🤗💛

[@AphrooneRichardson]

Hola tio Jay and tia Norberis! Please keep these informative and enlightening content coming! ASE!

[@NorberisR]

We will.

[@rosettyromero219]

I just came back from another youtuber that pays 4k just in rent to live in PC. You dont even want to know how much is the rest of the things he pays. On that note, I appreciate your videos so much. I've been following for a year and I love it here❤

[@NorberisR]

I know who you are referring to my husband showed me that video. Are you living in DR now?

[@rosettyromero219]

@@NorberisR I wish mija. Pero vivo soñando que algun dia🙏

[@TheDominicanRoute]

Great video y’all I learned firsthand $150 a month was beautiful inside but noisy on the outside . And people knocking on your door at 2 o’clock in the morning 😂 great video

[@NorberisR]

🤣😅

[@cristiandiaz6333]

Brother James is a very smart new dominican.

[@NorberisR]

😅He is🤗🇩🇴

[@cristiandiaz6333]

In Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic you want to be in Piantini, Bella Vista, Cacicazgos, and Naco.

[@cristiandiaz6333]

Arroyo Hondo is very exclusive, but very residential (mansions) and has nearby low-income hoods where the people that do the domestic services live at (they can't live too far or they will not get there on time). Every exclusive area needs a close by low income neighborhood for the people that provide personal services to the well to do to live at.

[@brandonleverett3748]

The tipping story is SO funny, my first trip I was tipping like Howard Hughes, using my calculator to figure out what to give. When I went to pacos in the zone, the brothers sat me down and schooled me . They said you are over tipping, stop it! I got the message and made the adjustment and guess what , the receiver of the tip was glad I tipped at all!

[@NorberisR]

Yes, that's how it is. People don't realize they are over tipping.

[@gigcleveland9740]

they had a story about Mexico i forgot the news outlet. They had to deport 240,000 americans back to the United States overstayed expired visas. A lot of them stated the cost of living was too high in the states. But Mexico said it caused inflation because they paid more so it caused artifical inflation. makes sense what your saying. Thanks both. Great info. im there Monday for 2 weeks

[@NorberisR]

Wow that's interesting. I didn't hear about. Enjoy your time here and be safe.

[@sovereign_king7384]

Wow i didn't realize my genuine generosity was driving up the economy🙈but i definitely got a better understanding of the value of services depending on the area there....Appreciate this video alot👏🏾

[@NorberisR]

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful.

[@I.am.D.U.]

Great video. Love the way you guys communicate.

[@NorberisR]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@terrycollins12]

Thanks for all the great content and information guy..... July 3rd is my touchdown date.

[@NorberisR]

You're welcome. I know you're excited. 🤗

[@terrycollins12]

Can't wait.... Gotta check out that Cigar Spot

[@NorberisR]

You might find my husband in there😅

[@terrycollins12]

He's my Homeboy... we're both from Bama lol

[@cristiandiaz6333]

My girlfriend likes to over tip often even in the countryside and the barrios where services are much cheaper. In NYC's latin neighborhoods she pays $35 USD for a hair job (including a $5 tip). In DR she is often charged the equivalent of $9 USD or about 510 Dominican pesos or less. She usually gives them 1000 pesos (around $18 USD). I keep telling her that she is messing things up for us travellers (viajeros as they often call dominicans that live abroad) by overpaying her hairdresser too much when native dominicans do not.

[@NorberisR]

Very true.

[@Juancarlossantana2023]

This is the video i needed😂😂😂. Thanks

[@antoniothomas3862]

Man I love y'all videos. I think I will have to make a trip to Santo Domingo to meet y'all. What's the name of your cooking channel. I need to check that out.

[@NorberisR]

Let us know next time you are here and we can meet. His cooking channel is @allwingseverything

[@antoniothomas3862]

@@NorberisR gotcha. I will definitely check it out. Thx.

[@AphrooneRichardson]

Greeting from CHI-TOWN-CHICAGO NATION! I'm planning on visiting Y'all in Santo Domingo around Thanksgiving 2024! I'm currently in technical college looking to graduate in November 2024! Tio James you have sold me on visiting Santo Domingo! Gracias a ti!

[@NorberisR]

De nada🤗💛

[@AphrooneRichardson]

Viva Jay and Norberis Family! ASE!

[@chefsincere]

Basically what you're saying is don't put people in bad habits lol....If you tip too big you'll be raising the price for others traveling after you....

[@NorberisR]

Pretty much😅

[@wesleytejeda]

I’m a waiter here in the US and I like to tip generously. But I don’t tip the same way. And I expect to move there eventually. And of course I don’t want an artificial inflation. As I will be on a budget once I move there .

[@Carlos_vibes67]

Don't let the haters keep you down keep your head up I love your videos 💯

[@NorberisR]

Our heads are down, we get so discouraged by the comments that we some times don't have the energy get out of bed.🙄🫤

[@bryanbingham3953]

You guys are Blessed!!! Stay Strong

[@NorberisR]

Thanks💛😊

[@crazyworld2570]

That's the problem when foreigners go to rd for a week and artificially inflate and then leave and go back to their country leaving the problem with expats who actually live in the country. Now there's an expectation with some of the locals that theyll continue to be over paid when dealing with foreigners. I've actually watched videos with Americans trying to shame other Americans for tipping or paying the going rate for a service and saying " we make too much money in the states to not give a decent tip or pay a fare wage".

[@NorberisR]

This is true. We have seen and heard this many times.

[@dumbphonemom]

If they’re worried about the wage of the workers, they’re welcome to talk to the government.

[@michaelbell7721]

Well said

[@NorberisR]

Thank you.

[@dennisbeacham5747]

Great content as usual! Man, you’re making me want to light a stick😂 I think if the server went beyond what’s normally expected a generous gratuity is warranted. Now, I’ve had lousy service and their gratuity matched the service. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed in my life and blessing others for great service is non-negotiable. I’ve yet to observe a U-Haul in a funeral, can’t take it with ya. Finally, I don’t know if those are new mics, but the sound is flawless!✌🏽

[@NorberisR]

Thank you. And yes this a new camera we are going to use to make videos when we are out. So yes the mics are new.

[@kmack4191]

Thank you for that video. That was very good information

[@NorberisR]

Very welcome.

[@stanleysalters1195]

Very good video

[@NorberisR]

Thanks

[@Juancarlossantana2023]

I use to be part of the problem, my wife was born and raised in RD and now shes part of the problem. Im always on her telling her she tipping toooooo much, hell she tip too much here in the USA also. I tip 15% if the service is good and up to 25% if the service is exceptional. My wife will spend $500 pesos and leave a $500 peso tip. 🤷🏾🤷🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾

[@NorberisR]

😂😂 glad you are no longer part of the problem.

[@dumbphonemom]

It’s not sustainable. For someone who’s just visiting for a week, they won’t feel much the tipping, but if you are living in the area, you’ll go broke tipping like that for everything.

[@profeagayu]

Great info shared on this video!

[@NorberisR]

Thank you.

[@ronnie2harry629]

What the name of the cigar lounge in Santo Domingo? I like that vibe.

[@NorberisR]

This one name is Camilu

[@walterhunter3353]

My homeboy went twice last year, looking for a property to retire to. I told him about your channel.

[@NorberisR]

Thank you.

[@DKDUBBA8165]

I am looking to retire there also and I follow your channel 👍

[@ricolaw1033]

I was tipping 15-20% until I got schooled to the game and found out the tip was included. Now its 200/300 pesos depending on the service. If I’m out with a few people or a group and we had bottle service, etc, I tip the server $1000 pesos but that's at a lounge and I only did that a few times. like at Mixer with a 12000 peso tab with a cabana, bottles, hookah and food for a group of 7. Where can you go for less than 2000 each to a club with multiple bottles and food including tips and you can take your bottles with you? DR 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Worldtraveler655]

😂😂 this was a good video, what camera you using?

[@NorberisR]

Thank you. It's the DJI osmo pocket 3

[@TheJoeyboots]

Those DJI Mics sound good. I keep thinking about that creator studio idea. Would be cool that young creators can hone their craft. Like interviews and news reports for their channel. With some technical support that can create a wonderful informative product. :D I believe the Pinewood Indomina studios in Juan Dolio are now renting out the sound stages. If you have connections there I would love if someone found out what is going on there.

[@NorberisR]

I don't have connections in that area. If I hear something about it I'll do a video.

[@maritzagonzalez1878]

You got it right guys 👍

[@NorberisR]

Thank you🤗💛

[@walterhunter3353]

What’s up guys.

[@NorberisR]

Hola🤗

[@TheJoeyboots]

My favorite was the cigar place used to be in the Malecone Center. Where the two naked chubby statues are dancing lol. Used to buy great cigars at a wonderful price. And a shot of rum gratis, the lady there was so good to me with deals. Tony Roma's used to be there out front. I feel so sad that place (Malecone Center) is suffering. It was somewhere I looked at to buy a condo, glad I changed my mind. I know the price gets gringoed. But I bring it down, then I plus it up, because it is good service and I want to, especially with places and vendors I frequent. One thing about the DR is its not all business as in the states. You kinda establish small relationships. One time when I was away an unusually long time I was shocked at the reception I was getting from my frequent contacts, like a lost son. My opinion Overspend in DR =The Chicas! LOL 🤣

[@NorberisR]

I agree the Malecon center was supposed to be this big thing and it never met the expectations.

[@Dee-pj7hh]

That’s kinda subjective though. Because if you have a Walmart a CVS Pharmacy and a Walgreens on the same corner selling the same product; but it’s more expensive in Walgreens y Cvs ; but less expensive in Walmart, you’re still getting value even though it’s cheaper. So I can not see the difference pertaining to value regardless of the country your in, even if it’s cheaper. A lot of times good and services in other countries are way better than in the states and it’s cheaper. My two cents. Great topic guys👍👍👍

[@NorberisR]

You're welcome. That's a different perspective. Thank you.

[@BalbuenaVids]

The Dominican Republic is like a vaccuum cleaner for money. I be going there for 2 weeks spending 12-15k and dont even know what I spent it on. Its incredible. I dont know how the locals are living, they must have secret Colmados they go to

[@NorberisR]

😅

[@cristiandiaz6333]

Another thing is that in most legitimate businesses in DR they charge you the tip (10%) and they disguise it as "la ley" so that you tip them more. Do not fall for that. Anytime you see that on your bill (or check) please do not over tip.

[@Juancarlossantana2023]

That sosua comment 😂😂😂😂. I see those guys throwing money like they rich. SMH. I'm lucky. If i was single i would never ball out like them😂😂😂

[@NorberisR]

😂

[@Jerreachell2909]

Bendiciones para ustedes , me gustaría hacerte una pregunta 🙋‍♀️ y es la siguiente -yo tengo mi canal de KZbin y mi esposo que es mi ayudante con la edición de los videos y esas cosas , pero aparte le pagamos a un ayudante para que nos haga SEO. Por favor solo dime tú crees que eso ayuda a tu canal que vale la pena pagar por eso ??

[@NorberisR]

Hola cómo estás, yo estoy bien gracias a dios. Pero en realidad no entiendo mucho de ese aspecto😁, mi esposo es que trabaja con esa parte. Pero si tienen preguntas específicas pueden contactarlo, tú o tu esposo a este correo [e-mail], el responderá con mucho gusto.

[@Jerreachell2909]

@@NorberisR muchas Gracias querida le dire a mi esposo que lo haga 🙏🏼bendiciones 🫶

[@NorberisR]

De nada🇩🇴💛

[@regimeteam]

How do you find the market value in these areas is there statistics online where you can look it up? Or is it like a word of mouth kind of thing?

[@NorberisR]

That's a great question and I don't know the answer but definitely something to look into.

[@user-zl8zs6jj7i]

What's the going rate for a babysitter?

[@NorberisR]

Are looking for nanny for weekly work or are you asking specifically for a one time thing for someone to come baby sit. There is no per se babysitters here family watches the kids if someone need to go out or something.

[@veronicascott1477]

Is it better to tip in pesos or American currency?

[@NorberisR]

Pesos

[@sanjuanmiami]

18% taxes for everything u buy 😮 ?

[@NorberisR]

Yes🤗