www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I must agree that many ticos can be trustworthy and good, loyal friends. However, I must also point out the following:

As gringos we are largely clueless about la cultura latina. We try to use our U.S./Canadian/Euro frame of reference, and the rules of social behavior to which we are accustomed do not necessarily exist in the Spanish-speaking world. I'm not saying that the latin culture is better or worse, but it is different.

I have met numerous ticos sinceros, good folks who will open their hearts and homes to a gringo that may or may not return. I've been given rides by locals, guided, offered help...and always with a smile, almost always refusing some kind of repayment.


One thing I believe to be true is that once one befriends a Latino, one has made a true friend for life. OTOH, make an enemy... and you oughta watch your back until your life is over. This is of course a generalization, but my experiences so far lead me to believe it's a fairly correct generalization.

Nearly every tico I've met away from la capital has been decent. After some 137 days total in C.R., not nearly as much time as others, I still feel that the ticos are on the whole, a good group of people.

The world of the Gultch is a totally different story. As would be the Tenderloin in San Francisco or the Combat Zone in Boston. Hookers = drugs = gambling = con artists = beggar= low-lifes. Get a clue!

Do not fall in love? Aw, c'mon! Where's your masochistic sense of adventure?

Mente, I am still waiting to meet you and hope that we can do so soon. Le invito una cena y un trago o dos. Si esta' Ud. de acuerdo.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

YO Trusting:

I know were KC is coming from and bad experiences in a foreign land is a double edge sword. The natives think the same of us.

This is a cultural problem that displays it's ugly self all over the world. No matter the given name for a one of another nationality there is reason for suspecting trust. Hell, even worse is your own relatives.

I always say if you trust...you had better verify and then after all of that you can get screwed.

I've befriended ticos and ticas over the years that have remained true and a number of others that have not. Plain and simple, pick a nationality including your own that is perfect....NADA.

KC, while you are harsh on ticos let us know if any other foreign men or women have forsaken your trust. I can damn sure name a bunch.

That broad brush you stroked is even more inclusive than you imply.

Love ya man. Hope you are doing well in business down there. It's hard.

Circus

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.