Dominica

1. Dominica Sebastian BerrazuetaAnthony Desantis Mason KenneyZack Rosenfeld

2. T.R.R.A.D.E • The • Remarkably • Real • Amazing • Dominican • Experience Why build paradise when its already there?

3. Eco - Tourism • T.R.R.A.D.E- • Non-profit organization symbolizing a stepping-stone between the tourism groups and the cultural groups in Dominica. • Our organization believes that the real pull to the Caribbean is the raw culture and unblemished landscape.

4. T.R.R.A.D.E • We believe that the optimal vacation experience is one that integrates the tourist with the islands roots, its culture, food, and its history.

5. T.R.R.A.D.E • We will provide tourists with an options travel • package when they visit the island, in which they can take part in Dominica dining, dancing, environmental tours, and traditional celebrations.

6. 2009 • December 18; Dominica Labor Party wins General Election • 2008 • Thirty years of independence reunion in Dominica . All Dominicans expected. • July; Budget responds to world food price crisis • 2007 • Feb: President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela pays visit to Dominica • October 24th: new national sports stadiumoffically opened. • 2006: • Value Added Tax is introduced.  • IMF commends Govt. on implementation of its economic program strategy. • NDC launches new website as part of major re branding of tourism product. Dominica’s 31st anniversary of independence Current Events

7. Obstacles Economic underdevelopment Natural Disasters; Hurricanes 1963 Hurricane Edith 1979 Aug 30th,hurricane David 1995 Sept 15th hurricane Marilyn Slow down of Exports Global financial Downturn Tourists Unawareness Lack of a transportation infrastructure Numerous counts of theft

8. Hurricanes • Dominica has had 36 Hurricanes pass in139 years, up to 2009 • (within 60 miles of country) • Dominica is brushed or hit almost every 4 years • (3.89 years) • About every 23 years a direct hurricane will hit Dominica • (23.17 years) • Statistically, its estimated that the next hurricane to hit Dominica will be sometime before 2012

9. Hurricane David • Aug 30th: • Area has gusts to 144mph • 56 killed • 5000 injured • 75% left homeless In 1979, Hurricane David ravaged Dominica’s land and people

10. Ethical Challenges Deal with architecture changes /modernization Will have to have training programs for hired help Minimum wage to start with option to change ($5) Communities reaction to modernization Be open to ideas that may seem aggressive to culture

11. Laws and Religious Customs do’s and Don’ts The last Friday prior to Independence, Dominica celebrates Creole Day. The “Cultural Division” and the “Dominica Reunion Committee” held a Creole Dress Parade in Roseau showing the different variations of Dominica’s National Wear/Dress.

12. Women’s Cultural ResponsibilitiesDominica's compared to the US • Women must do everything: Kids , education, job, household chores, and hold the family together. • (most husbands are drop outs or are overseas) • Women usually wear skirts or pants to their knees and nothing low cut. the more rural areas expectations are stricter. • Its frowned upon for women to enter bars, they should have no more than 2 drinks at functions, or go dancing alone.. • Women are treated and judged equally to men Differences Similarities

13. Taboo’s • Putting your middle finger up is an obscene sign. • Sucking air through the teeth to make a sucking sound is used to convey anger or aggravation. • Pressing your lips together and sticking them out as if for a kiss is also a sign of displeasure.

14. Etiquette • “Good morning" or “Good afternoon" are the most basic form of Greetings and social interaction. • People are expected to greet when they telephone, visit someone's home, or simply pass one another on the street. • Strangers are eyed with suspicion, but are treated warmly once introduced.

15. Laws and Order • The drinking age is 18, and is not enforced. • Fun Fact: The national drink in Dominica is a beer called, “Kubuli Beer” • The smoking age is 18 and is also not enforced. • Penalties for possession, acquisition, and trafficking of drugs are severe and include fines and lengthy imprisonment in local jails. • Fun Fact: There is only One prison on Dominica, the Dominica State Prison • Theft is about the only crime that is common and highly enforced. This is especially true if the theft is committed against a tourist or visitor. • Fun Fact: Most crimes in Dominica are petty crimes, however travelers are recommended to take small precautions to not leave possessions around.

16. Etiquette Continued.. • Close friends, especially girls, stand close to one another and often walk with arms around each other's shoulders or waists. • Privacy is difficult to maintain but is highly valued; items are concealed when carried in public, and domestic problems are dealt with in the home.

17. Gift Giving • It is not typical or expected to give offerings in any business setting • Fun Fact: Tipping isn't expected in bars or restaurants! • Fun Fact: The National currency is Dominican Republic Peso • 100 U.S. dollars = about 3,766.90 Peso’s WOW!!

18. Business Etiquette dos and don’ts Dress – • For men: Long sleeve dress shirt and tie. Dress pants and nice shoes. • For women: Nice blouse with long skirt and fancy/ heeled toeless or toed shoes. Skirt suits are worn often.   • Jeans, shorts and sandals are usually not appropriate for the workplace.

19. Business Etiquette Continued.. Card Exchanges • There is no specific ritual surrounding the giving of business cards although it is advisable to treat the card with respect. • Titles are common and expected to be used. • An unusual title is “honorable” which is expected to be used for those holding political positions

20. Business Etiquette Continued • Meetings • Should show up on time to meetings, • but do not expect anyone else to.  • Introduce yourself to as many people as possible in no particular order and be ready to make small talk until everyone arrives. • DirecteEye contact is common and expected especially in a business relationship or if it is the first time you are meeting the person.

21. Business Etiquette Continued.. Meetings Continued.. • The chairperson of the meeting will begin and end each meeting.  • Dominicans tend to use very official protocol during meetings and one should be careful not to speak out of turn.

22. Business Etiquette Continued.. Negotiations • If it is a business deal or if you are loaning money make sure to get it in writing.  • Know who the authority is above the person you are dealing with before interacting. Stay calm and remain firm and consistent. • Be aware of alliances especially along political party lines. These can shut down a project or lead to their quick approval. 

23. Views on Time • Generally it is understood nothing occurs on time.  • Dominicans place more emphasis on people and relationships than to the strict obedience of set schedules in social situations. • Meetings and events tend to run between half an hour to an hour late. • Time is given freely and willingly. Buses do not run on an official time schedule and can come earlier or later each day depending on situations.

24. Gestures • When signaling a car or bus, one would signal with their entire arm towards the ground in the direction you are attempting to go.  • To signaling someone people tend to make the ‘pssst’ sound.  • Some Dominicans will place their fist across their chest and then point it towards you. This is saying good bye, peace, or ‘one love’. It is a sign of friendship.

25. Gestures continued.. • Dominicans tend to speak to you at a distance that is easiest to touch you or shake your hand. This tends to be the same regardless of gender. • There is a fair amount of touching between either gender • It is common for a person to hold your hand/arm as they speak to you. • You can tell it is time to let go when the person loosens their grip. This occurs no matter your relation with the person.

26. Dining customs • Holidays and important religious ceremonies are celebrated with the slaughtering of livestock and the preparation of large meals. Guests visit homes throughout the day and are given food, desserts, and alcoholic beverages or other drinks. Catholics make offerings of fruits and vegetables during church services or special masses.

27. Technology • Modernization is a process that is still continuing in Dominica. • Cell phones in Dominica are rapidly overtaking land phones as many cellular phones now provide Internet access and cell phone computers. • SMS, MMS and broadband are becoming standard features on cell phones

28. References • http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Dominica.html • http://www.worldtravelguide.net/dominica • http://countrycodes.boomja.com/Dominica-(Country-Code-1-767)-576.html • http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=15&CID=58