Heck, one could even apply this analogy when analyzing to the country's economy: a lot of untapped potential and resources, but plagued by a lack of discipline and talent to exploit them.

funny.

Ladronaso, when I made the comment about holding us in high regard I meant that towards your comment about attractive dominican women as a minority (with a hint of sarcasm). I accept the DR with all it's virtues and flaws, and have dealt with and accepted it's justifiable critisms. That's really not the issue here.

Actually, I agree with Lautaro's post where integration of the social classes can change racial makeup in that historically, what is at the top usually is not at the bottom. Your reasons make alot of sense. (That is to say, if we are also rating what makes a Dominican woman attractive by westernized standards, as was previously stated)...even though I've seen women in poorer towns that could give others a run for their money...I guess then all I have to say is that: for those who are worried about it, look at the bright side-our large expat communities might help.

By the way, USADR, Colombian women are indeed very beautiful but you were on point with how popular plastic surgery is down there as well. The "beauty queen" culture is taken very seriously and can be the road to many prominent postitions for women-just look at Ingrid Betancourt (and read "Lonely Planet's" Colombia edition). Medellin is pratically considered the plastic capital of South America, from what I've read and heard. It's even being glamorized in that new show on Telemundo "Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso."

Hey, I was always under the assumption that many dominican women (and domincans in general) can be very "comparonas" and many do their best to look good (wearing good brands, going to salons, smelling good and trying to look neat). I have yet to experience the "chicho" epidemic, though.

I've heard from my Colombian friends/clients/girl friends that they have alot of formal beauty competitions in Colombia. And then you have the real life daily competition of the average woman, to outdo one another. Even females will tell me "si vas a Colombia regresas casado'. The ones' here tell me they feel like they sometimes lcan't even compete (life in the USA requires more time devoted to work). I've even heard them counsel each other on 'you better get in shape/don't get fat/fix your image' in order to hold on to your man.

Take a real good look at Colombian women, I feel DR women have alot more bodywise to work with and perhaps Colombian might edge them out a little on the facial aesthics (but depends on the region)
I really don't know why DR women are more complacent. They obviously like to keep up with the latest style, it's just that Colombian/Venezuelan take it to another level.

lol @ the 'chicho' epedemic.
But yeah, the beautiy culture runs alot deeper in Venezuela/Colombia. Not to say they are not natural beauty, they just know how to make the most of it.

Another country that has a reputation that there is no way their average women can live up to is Brazil. There is a large Brazilian community in NJ/NY & MA, but so far based on my personal observation they do not live up to the image (with the exception of an above average amount of go go dancers/strippers)
Now, one cannot make the mistake of generalizing an entire nation based on a small segment of thier population one sees, but I base this also on word of mouth travel. As a matter of fact I heard the same complaint about Brazilian women (diamonds in the rough, nice bodies/gap teeth, etc.) aka butterfaces.
It might have alot to do with socioeconomics, these poor women are from the lower classes and they will have a nice body, but in need of some more polishing.

Yes but the plastic surgery phenomena though around since 70's had really grew wings in the late 90's. And my recollection of the beauty of Colombian women goes back way before the plastic surgery fad evolved. Therefore in my view, they have always maintained a more aesthetically pleasing visage. Heck I remember having an uncle who in New York would date nothing but Colombian women and every woman he brought to the house was a jaw dropping work of art.

Now regarding Dominicans being comparones, this is very true but you can be a comparon/a and still be a grillo which makes you "un grillo comparon"

I have a question for those that have extensively travelled/lived in different regions of DR.
When I lived there/went to school there I stayed in Santo Domingo. My family is from the south so my first hand experience of the women I saw was from Santo Domingo, San Cristobal, Bani, San Juan, Las Matas De Farfan, Azua, etc.
In my opinion I saw better looking women on average in Bani, San Juan, Las Matas and believe it or not the surrounding campos of the area than Santo Domingo/San Cristobal (with the exception of the well to do women who looked better).
Here in the states I hear Cibao especially Santiago has a high percentage of good looking women.
My quesiton is, the south is the poorest region, what other stereotypes are there of the south?
And what are the stereotypes of the women in each of the regions/towns?

I read here that it is mentioned that a lot of Dominican women do not keep up with their appearance; that is SO not true . Most Dominican women are always on top of their appearance, especially in DR where people like to live so much off of appearance. I don't disagree with has been said that there are Dominican women who abandon their appearance and maybe they don't give it the upkeep that they should, because it is in certain cases true. However, to say that most or a huge number of Dominican women are like that is completely false. Dominican women are always in the hair salon, getting their nails done, buying nice clothes, not to mention keeping up with the latest trends, so I don't understand where some of you guys on here are getting those ideas. When I go to DR, I don't go stay in a hotel or resort I stay in the barrios where my family lives and yes, of course, I've seen women who are unattractive that look like "grillos" as ladronaso would say, but whether you guys want to believe it or not, I saw more women who took care of themselves vs. those who didn't in these barrios where the women don't have as much money as the ones in the upper/middle class neighborhoods.

I understand that everyone has different definitions of what beauty is, indeed beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. However, I believe that something very important has been eluded on here (though ladronaso started to dig in it a bit): What do upper/middle class women in DR, Colombian Women, Venezualan Women, Brazilian Women, and Puerto Rican Women have in common folks? Yes, you're absolutely right, they all tend to higher percentages of white and/or lighter skinned women, that have European or Native American hair, light colored eyes, etc., which to many Dominican men are the more attractive features. Now, I don't think or perceive anyone to be racist just because they have this preference or they plain and simply don't like a morena that happens to have "nappy" hair, but LET'S KEEP IT REAL people!. Also, I'm not saying that the guys on here that mention that they prefer Colombian, Venezuelan, Brazilian, Rican, women or find these women more attractive don't like or wouldn't date a morena with "nappy" hair from DR, I'm pretty sure many have, would, or will eventually, but the truth is many Dominican men are really quick to just kind of look down on Dominican women that have these features and yes, I know that many Dominican women do the same with Dominican men too, but I don't see it as much as I see it with the men.

I've seen and heard this perception from countless Dominican guys and now to put the "cherry on top" I also happen to read it on here. I honestly think it's kind of sad the way in which some guys come here and talk about Dominican women, but hey I understand "que para los gustos se hicieron los colores". I know that certain individuals here might get the wrong idea with I'm saying here but I assure you all here that I am speaking based on my observations time and time again. And the other comment I see here is that supposedly in the last 20 years or so there has been a dramatic decrease in the amount of good looking Dominican women out there". I would say that it is the complete opposite. Now more than ever Dominican women take care of their appearance and many (too many in my opinion) are really quick to go under the knife to undergo a surgical/cosmetic procedure that will enhance their appearance. I'm not saying that it's a good thing that that's happening but hey, I guess all's fair in the name of beauty for most women.

Now, to end this I'm gonna say that I am not writing this in a bitter/resentful form as some will probably think, I don't disagree at all with Dominican men dating outside of the DR nationality, actually I'm all for it, especially here in America where we interact with so many other cultures and nationalities. As a Dominican-American woman born and raised in the U.S., it would be ignorant on my part to think otherwise, and hey, I'm all for us Dominican women dating outside of the DR nationality too, (hell yes lol). I just wanted to expose what I really perceive the problem regarding some Dominican mens' view of Dominican women appearance is.

Jem, thanks for the commentary. It might seem like we are being harsh with our DR women, but in reality we are trying to keep it as real as possible. We can be our own harshest critic, but it is a good thing, we don't fall into the trap of our own fantasies. Remember, we are comparing our DR women to countries who are arguable the tops in beauty. There are plenty of other countries who do not approach the beauty of DR women.
But I don't really think is is a hair/color/race thing. Morenas/Mulattas are pretty much well liked, it is the combination of ancestry that makes Latinas stand out.

The people from Venezuala/Brazil/Colombia and DR all have alot of overlap in genetic ancestry/phenotype.

-A Colombian from the Caribbean coast (Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena) are very similar, even their Spanish. You've probably seen them and thought they were Cuban, PR or DR.
Majority of Colombians are not white but a blend of mestizo/castizo. The ones close to the Ecuadorian border are very indigena.

-Venezuela also has a mix (although of course not identical). I've met plenty of Venezuelans here with the sterotypical DR 'look'. Many DR's that go to Venezuela will not stand out.

-Brazil, come on. This is like a portugese speaking version of us. The one difference is that due to immigration, southern Brazil has alot of Eurodescendant (more than DR). Brazilians right here in NJ (Ironbound section) will tell you: DR's, PR's, Cubans remind them of themselves.

So I don't feel this has to do with race/color, but features and upkeep. Believe me, Dominicans here are not going crazy for Polish women.

Look Pumpkin,

I admit there are grillos in every culture. the issue here is the simple question Why are Dominican women so beautiful...?

Now as I had previously stated in previous entries, my viewpoint is that the "ratio"
of beautiful women to ugly women is very low when I compare it to other countries. And again this is based on my experiences. Why are Colombian women so obsessed with looks perhaps inferiority, social demand, or the competition that's associated with a high ratio of attractive women.

It is also my experience that as I travel and have traveled to DR that the variety of beautiful women has diminished. Why? I think Lautaro already answered this.

So please no offense to Dominican Women. Look on the same token I've been told the same thing about Dominican Men. I heard it from Cubans Puerto Ricans Venezuelans that heir exist a high FUGLY ratio rate among Dominican men and " que son comparones to boot"