When you can't give enough

Being friendly and welcoming is a trait that the Dominicans pride themselves on. Local guys are happy to hand out tips, advice and information, the club scene is so much less about cliques than it is in London, and in school, the kids just want to talk to you and hang out with you all the time. But the trait has another side to it. Being a westerner in Central Santo Domingo, El Conde, is like being a magnet for beggars, "tour guides", taxi touts, shoe shine boys "They're canvas I don't think boot polish will do them any good." and people who just want your money. It's assumed that all westerners here are loaded - which in relation, we are - but it's frustrating when you receive a look that says "You can afford a few pesos and yet you chose not to give them, where is your heart?" when you're here as a volunteer, doing what you think is a good thing for this country, in an organised and worthy fashion. There's one homeless woman who is often outside our local grocery store who I give to occasionally, but when people are all "buddy" in the streets "Where are you from?" it's as if they've learnt a few key phrases in English in order to tug your heartstrings enough to open your purse strings, and I'm unwilling to give to something so mercenary.