www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Just some thoughts from someone who has spent more than my share of time at the tables nearest the doors. With all due respect to our original poster here,I truly believe that it is NOT a black-white issue here. The vast majority of people I have witnessed being wanded are the young,white, latino-looking guys. As Senordos has correctly pointed out,there have been shootings inside the DR which were from husbands,boyfriends and former disgruntled employees with a mission. Persoally I think the DR has a lot of things it could do better,BUT I certainly appreciate the security guards when they take quick action and remove unruly patrons. All things considered I think they do a difficult job pretty well. In my mind it's better to err on the side of caution and check too many guys instead of too few.It only takes one mistake to have a disaster.

Also without trying to start a flame war... I think that TMan's comments are a little out of line. I love living here in CR and I am not happy when he knocks CR with the frequency that he does. I understand that he has decided to move to Panama and sell real estate there instead of here in CR,BUT CR was pretty good when he was doing it here. He also continues to visit and do business here. Other than that I think he is a great guy with a lot of positive info to add here at Costa Rica Ticas.I also disagree with the notion that CR is more racist than the U.S. I'm sorry but I had to get that off my chest.

During my most recent trip, I got searched once, but never repeated...although I found it really weird that after the first I.D. check, all the security guys at the BM seemed to know me by name. Now, I'm sure that the white cane in my hand makes me a Blue Marlin rarity, and perhaps they remembered me and shared my name because of that, but I was checked at least once.

And yesd Czar, you did make it a black/white/brown/green issue...and rightly so. Both statements made here by other members are true: One, racism is alive and flourishing in Costa Rica, which prides itself on being "whiter" than the rest of Central America. And two the security guards equate darker skin with the customer being a local, therefore a more probable source of trouble. I dislike the profiling, but the guards' procedure is not as racially biased as you claim.

If you look like you're going to be trouble for whatever reason, they will interview you before allowing you to pass into the bar/hotel. BTW, a propina after the first search will virtually guarantee that you will be able to pass the guards without further incident... as is true all over Latin America.

I'm about as Euro-honky as one white man can be, and even I, a blind, overweight blondie in his late forties got searched once.

But yeah... it is at least in part about race. Same reason I get hassled in black parts of U.S. cities I've visited.

Wish it were not so. You guys, black, white, orange, blue, green all look the same to me.

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

I'm a white dude (pretty nerdy one at that) and I have been checked by security several times.

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Why is air a lot like sex?
It's no big deal unless you're not getting any.

Confucius Says...
"Panties not best thing on earth, but next to best thing on earth"

Briefly,

Don´t blame the doorman,

I´m positive he is more interested in his paycheck than who enters the joint

As in most, if not all cases, it starts at the TOP...the owners,

it´s their policy, not some minimum wage employee

It's amazing how some are in denial of racism in CR but it happens. Obv. to Czar.

- B

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gone fishing

NFlorida I don't see anyone denying that racism exists in CR but saying the security procedures are not based on racism. You sure know a lot after your trip by the way where is your trip report you were going to educate and enlighten us with?
I'm a nerdy honky white boy too and have been wanded more than once while wearing my black cargo pants. Maybe all us that feel discriminated against should just go to Panama and party with Tman, it's much friendlier there.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I think your tipping the security guys for extra touching!

I read some "they dont treat me that way" but the fact of the matter is they treated Czar that way. When I was with my buddies my buddy whose dark was treated the same way. I know it exists. Lucky me I am white. Not so lucky for him but they were racist to my bud.

I'm very opinionated but aren't we all I'm still workng on my trip report. So much to report.

- B

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gone fishing

After reading the lastest post and giving it some thought I would have to say it probably wasn't a racist move... it's about doing a job and I agree and thought the same thing before I read this... it starts at the top.

I bet if Czar befriended the security guards after several trips they would have no problem inviting him over to their homes for dinner.

It's a difficult job and they have to follow orders. I can see where it can be misconstrued as racism.

The guards give Ticos a harder time at the door than any other group.. . that's not racism.

America is the racist country in the world. Costa Rica is far behind.

Czar hope this didn't ruin your whole trip.
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"i'm in love with a whore and i don't even know it." - Traylor Park

Personally, I wouldn't take it personal. If you asked one of those guys for his 2 centavos he would probably have to take out a loan. I get searched sometimes and sometimes not. If they are stupid enough to think that a 47 year old horny gringo would come into their bar packing heat, I guess I am willing to let them play TSA wanna-be. There are more important things to worry about.

I agree with everyone who agrees it is not a racist move. For those that say it is, are in fact a bit Racist.

Get with the program, these guys are doing their job. Do you know how many Cameras there are on them at the doors? Next time walking out where the Sportsbook used to be... bend down and look under the counter...yeap...one there too!

Let them do their job...if you have a problem with it, either go somewhere else? Speak in English "I am staying here" (they usually will stop what they are doing), or just raise your arms and let them wand you.

I understand that not everyone gets searched, I get searched about 50% of the time, but come on guys! And yes, they are more than likely to wand a guy that is Latin Looking more than a white guy...cuz that is what they are told to do!

Relax!

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A Costa Rica Toast:
Here's to Looking like Movie Stars, Partying like Rock Stars and phucking like PORN STARS!

Actually, they might have even thought Czar WAS a latino.

In CR, there is a large mixing races and colors. There are many black ticos... especially on the eastern side. On the other hand, there are relatively very few white or nordic looking ticos. For example, I have lighter hair, blue eyes and very light skin. I just plain don't look latino. Period. I was even wanded at the door several times.

Czar - when you walk in the door, say "hello" in plain english. I'm willing to bet this will prevent a wanding. If you are silent, they may just have to error on the side of safety.

While I agree there is some racism in CR, it is NO WAY near as bad as in the US.

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http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

I agree with Papichullo on this one. I'm just a corn-fed white boy from New England, and I get the "wand" treatment about 50 % of the time when I enter the HDR. But it doesn't bother me in the least. Ultimately, they're doing this for "MY" protection, so it's no big deal to me. I just don't understand the fuss. It's only 5 or 10 seconds out of your life, and I don't ever take it personally.

IMHO, let 'em do their job, and then go find yourself some sweet latina p*ssy!

It's all good..........

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Word is you look like a mobster MG so don't play innocent.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Chi,

Good point. A few words of "perfect English" could go a long way. Certainly worth a try for those who are inclined to get "a search."

Zebra