I can be critical of developed country cultures (without naming names). Are you put off by that? After all, I am from the U.S. and I guess in many ways I’m the proverbial pot who called the kettle black. I admit that, being a gringo, I’m often guilty of pretentiousness myself. It’s my way of denying (to the world […]
866-284-2832
Costa Rican society is decidedly polite compared to that of the U.S. It might be the biggest area of reverse culture shock one will experience after being here for a long time and then returning to the U.S. At least, that has been my experience. Some describe Costa Rica culture as “passive-aggressive.” I prefer to […]
I have to admit that sometimes life in Costa Rica gets under my gringo skin. We gringos don’t live very contemplative lives for the most part. We don’t have time to, or at least we don’t take the time to. There is simply too much to do, too much money to make, too much pressure […]
When folks visit Costa Rica they often hear a phrase that may sound unfamiliar, even to those who know a little Spanish. That phrase is “Pura Vida” (pronounced as POO-rah VEE-dah) and can be viewed as the Costa Rican “national motto.” Literally translated it means “Pure Life.” Contextually, it means “Full of Life,” “Purified life,” […]
I love this whole concept of blogging. This way I can voice my complaints to the entire world wide web, or at least that portion of it that would actually read my rants. So here goes another one. One thing that gets under my skin worse than anything under the sun is a judgmental attitude […]
When I really began to move around to various parts of Costa Rica, especially the diverse barrios of its capital city, San Jose, I noticed a peculiar thing. At least it seemed peculiar to someone like me from a different culture. That is, that life here is lived, for the most part, outside. I say […]
Is anyone out there old enough to remember full service gas stations in the U.S? I am (barely, o.k.), but I really have to reach waaaaay back in my memory banks, what’s left of them. I guess the last time I can remember visiting a full service gas station I would have been around 10 […]
North Americans are often aghast at the cultural attitudes of the Ticos about punctuality. It is said in Costa Rica that if you arrive on time to a scheduled meeting you are “early.” If you arrive thirty minutes late you are “on time.” And only if you arrive MORE than thirty minutes late are you, […]
The Definitive Guide to Costa Rica Expat Living – 2nd Edition
Costa Rica Expat Tours & Consulting
Try Colombia!
