take a moment to say 'hi'

[remROM]

..........

[BIGOSUFAN]

"RUSM's website suggests you look strangers in the eye and greet them when you pass by. Indeed if you do ignore them, they get insulted. Raised near NYC, I find that counter intuitive and almost risky."

So in NYC people don't say hi to strangers when they pass by? Weird. Here in Oklahoma its very rude to not say hi when passing by someone.

[MitchDC]

Well said remROM. You are learning quickly -- maybe all those mosquito bites are serving you well!?!?! (okay, maybe not)

One difference you'll find here in Dominica, is that the people here care about those with whom they come in contact. For example, if you go to get your hair cut and get to know the guy who is cutting your hair - he'll remember you forever. If you take a ride in a taxi and value the driver's opinion and time, he'll return the respect. I have had a few transports drivers casually ask me if I like a certain fruit. I'll say yes, they are very good and that might be the end of the conversation. A few days later, he is stopping by my apartment with a whole sack full of that fruit. He isn't selling them, he's just doing it because we're friends now. A few days after my wife and I arrived in Dominica, we went to the Blue Bay restaurant. We had called ahead to make sure they took credit cards, which they did. SO we arrived and had our steak and lobtser and went to pay, but the credit care machine was broken. We had some cash, but not enough to pay the bill. They asked us if we could come back and pay the rest in the next couple of days and we agreed (they didn't want any contact information, and we didn't yet have any). When my wife showed up the next day, they greeted her amazed that she actually came back and they will recognize us there forever now.

remROM, it is a refreshing difference and it has taught me a lot. In the States, for example, we never remember somebody who helps us in a store or the bank (and we don't much care). Why is that? (rhetorical)

Anyways, we can definitely learn a lot more than medicine while we're here.

[preppystud]

hey, remrom, what are you doing these days? i see that u actually had the time to type out this sentimental message. that is what I always believed, treat others nicely, they will do the same thing. i don't think that we humans are all that different. no one was born to hate.

anyway, i think that i read it somewhere that you are a "suburban boy," now you said that you had a previous career. how old r u? i am curious. u can private message me if u want to. hehehe. :D