Everything Christmas

I so love the pork that is everywhere.

Also this is the season NOT to get any work done. Between multiple holidays between Christmas and late January almost no work gets done.  Add to this the Monday's that many are hung over and do not go to work or go and do nothing almost nothing gets done.  So if you have any projects to do during this time and are relying on local  "talent" FORGET IT!

Bob K

Good point Bob,  from about  Dec 18th or so to about January 6th, NOTHING gets accomplished.  Things come to a screaming HALT so,  any deadlines,  expectations etc,  put em on the shelf!!!!

This  is the second last weekend before Christmas. It is crazy crazy already in the streets.  I am not out there but a friend of mine is!  He went to PriceMart this morning early,  got there before opening and they were lined up to get in.

You may not know that most people here work a 5.5 day week.  Most work until noon or 1pm today, and longer depending on extended store hours. For example  CPS extended their hours Saturday.....

So anyone working 5.5 days a week will be out later today and tomorrow to get some shopping done. 

I also told you about the Christmas Bonus - all legal employees get another paycheck in December = to 1/12 of their annual salary earned for this year (mas o menos)

Apparently this money is now on the streets and Dominicans are shopping. I am not sure where or how this bonus got started but it is like a forced savings plan for Dominicans, and they reap the rewards at the most festive time of year.  And boy are they festive.....

So it is every man for himself in the stores today. I need to go to the grocery store but will do that a bit later, not a big deal. I do my big shop on week days. 

This year I am having  9 others for Christmas dinner at my place!  Yikes!  I  celebrate on the 25th,  Dominicans for the most part have their meal on the 24th!  Then once the meal is eaten, time with family is over, many go out dancing into the wee hours of the morning....

We went to la Sirena Wednesday and it was also a zoo. The people were going nuts filling their baskets with all kind of toys, electronics, clothes and food.  I usually go almost every Wednesday but will not go near the place again until after Jan.1

We were also thinking of trip to PriceMart in Santiago in the near future but that too will be next year.

Yes the Christmas extra pay has hit the streets and it is burning a hole in everyone's pockets.

Bob K

So true Bob.  The culture here is "instant gratification" They want it and they want it now. 

I learned a few years ago to never make major purchases in December.  Too much money in the streets and prices increase.  So,  wait until January when no one has money and  you will get a better deal!!!!

Unfortunately I will need to go to stores before Christmas!  yikes, not looking forward to that!   I do like to go sit at the mall and watch the people go nuts though..... LOL

I have been acused of too much planning by my Dominican friends, they can't relate as to why I have to plan out every step before I make a desicion, they tell me I need to be more spontaneous, but. I tell them that in the U.S. Operating on that level is very hard to survive, planning is most essential in America :-)

Planning beyond this afternoon is a unfamiliar concept for the Dominican culture and will never change.  You my friend will have to bend on this one or it will be very frustrating for you over time.  The "future" is a vague concept.

Bob K

Oh I think I might like that, live for today!

One of the reasons I chose to live here was to be a bit more - In the Moment.   Bob is correct,  you will need to learn to bend on this as  it is NOT gonna change here.

Planning is something I do by my very nature.  Here I have had to let go of a lot of it, OR,  keep it to myself!!!! 

In business I do my planning, but in my personal life I try to let go.