www.CostaRicaTicas.com

haha true to the end Prolijo, can't resist a slam. You perform as expected. LOL LOL LOL

There are plenty of Americans in CR, however I'm relatively sure we aren't all tipping the same people very often so I'm not too overly concerned about this.

"service price inflation" - I assume you aren't talking about the meal or beer here, because you mentioned "service." I think 10% is added to the bill so most Ticos probably do not leave anything on the table. True or false? Do you know the percentage that give more and how much more they give? If most (51%) aren't giving anything more - how is it that the "service price" is going to increase when the occasional American gives a generous tip? "Occasional American" because I'm talking about outside of the gulch. I'm a bit confused because you said "service" which to me implies something other than the meal or the beer?

Dwayne,
Tips are generally for services performed whether its a waiter bringing you your dinner, a witress bringing a drink, a cabbie driving you somewhere, maid service and don't forget to tip your guides when you go on day trips. In some of these examples a tip IS the local custom, such as with maids and guides. In other cases, a service charge is automatically added to you bill and anything beyond that is certainly the exception rather than the norm, which as you pointed out is TRUE when it comes to tipping waiters at least from their fellow ticos. And in still other cases even some where we are accustomed to tiping in the US, tips are just not done by ticos.

I'm not saying paying a small tip will upset the market balance. I normally pay for a cab in 100c and 500c coins and let him keep the change, but that is as much because I don't want to bother with small change as anything else. IF restaurant service is exceptionally good I'll add up to another 5% on top of the regular 10% service charge, realizing that Tico's almost never do that. I'll also tip an MP girl IF she provides exceptional GFE service 2-3K colones, realizing again that tico's don't ever normally tip in those situations but also realizing that her half of the MP session fee is only 1/3-1/2 that of chicas at the BM who often do only 1/2 as good a job. OTOH, I don't tip or buy presents for retail sales clerks in the US and so I wouldn't do that in CR either. Anyway this is me and I don't expect everyone else to follow the exact same standards.

My point was that in some situations ANY tip could be considered overgenerous by LOCAL standards. If that is what you mean then that is one thing and I do the same but if you're REALLY being overgenerous even by typical US standards then you're REALLY overtipping. And sure you are just one guy but everyone else that does that can say the same thing. It doesn't take 51% or more of gringo tourists to do this to start to change the local culture. Whether you want to believe it or not you're contributing to higher expectations on the part of the locals of what they should expect from gringos for even uninspired service. And the arguments against overtipping in these situations are almost exactly the same ones we use for not overtipping in the Gulch, so it is hard to completely understand your using different standards inside and outside the Gulch.

GG,

They don't charge you for short trips in the gulch? You just give them a 1000 C propina? You can go from the Blue Marlin to Kamur, which as you must know is way out of the gulch, for 600 or so. If you're giving them 1000 C tips for trips within the gulch it's no wonder they don't charge you. If you don't want to look like a chump, and it seems you don't, I wouldn't be doing that anymore.

_________________
Chica Chaser

This reminds me of a joke I read once about an indian chief's answer to the question: "What do you think of the this civilization the white man has created," (Or something along those lines).

To that the old chief chuckled and replied, "Before the white man arrived, men fished and hunted, women did most of the work. White man comes along and thinks he can improve on that?"

LOL.

_________________
Chica Chaser

If any of you are thinking about picking up any gifts for the chicas... look into chocolates. Stores are already discounting Valentine's Day candy.

I picked up a few Whitman's Sampler hearts for 88 cents each.

Just make sure she does not have a discerning palate

Last night WNBC had a piece on valentines candy being rated by Consumers Report. They slammed Russell Stover, Hershey and Whitman's.

Gave BEST BUY to 2 brands that I forget their names but do remember the prices. #1 was $41.00 per box #2 was $45.00 per box That is some BEST BUY

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

It's the thought that counts, right?

What is the general advice for tipping or giving gifts to chicas?

What about tipping others, such as drivers?

Thanks.

It's all good (in moderation)!!

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

In CR, I tip for great service. Their culture does not expect a tip, like in the US where everybody has their hand out, so any tip is appreciated more.

With chicas, tipping is based solely on effort. If I feel that she put in extra effort for me to enjoy myself, I'd give a nice tip. If I feel the girl just went through the usual motions, I'd give a small tip. If the girls put in minimum effort, no tip. I'll bring a few gifts (thongs, candy, etc) and give them out to girls that I have a great time with. Also, if I'm planning to see somebody who I've seen before, I'll usually bring a better gift for her.

Overzealous tipping drives up the local prices.

If you visit 2 to 6 times a year, you probably don't mind. Young studs with $$ to burn. Guess what? The chica won't like you more or less. She'll just be inclined to session with you as often as possible because you throw money around.

If she really likes you, she'll do you for free.

Gringo mongers say, "Well it's not a problem for me because I make good jack in the US and I spend money on vacation. I can still afford price increases."

If you live in CR on a pension, you might think otherwise. Don't ruin paradise for others.

I am a phucking dog, and I approve this message.

RHM