www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The night I got mugged, I was wearing torn-up faded jeans, a black t-shirt and flip-flops. The chain I had a round my neck was just made of steal and hardly visible. It was worth maybe $30 new and maybe $5 on the street. My watch was Swiss, but very cheap. I think I paid $45 for it. The most valuable thing on me was my wallet, which was very small and deep in my front pocket.

They got me. They didn't get my wallet... but they got me good.

If you are Latino looking and speak native spanish (with cuban accent or any other accent) I think you are in a world of a better spot. Even if you are truly American, they will place you as a Latino from a different country. I think a lot of violence in CR lately is truly just a matter of race hatred. They hate gringos because of their light skin, eyes and hair. Period. The only thing that stood out on my fated night was my skin and light hair. That is all they could see.

FYI.... the Cuban accent is very strong and sticks out. My girlfriend can immediately place a Cuban or Mexican accent. If your native tongue is Spanish, use it by all means. Well... except when wooing hookers.

In itself, I don't think speaking spanish, with a thick gringo accent, is any better for you other than "hopefully" you have a better understanding of what is going on around you. They will still place you as a gringo, regardless of your spanish abilities.

I have been practicing and speaking spanish for three years. Today - I can speak in most any tense. I have a large vocabulary. I have even been cold-calling for work in Spanish. Imagine that shit!!!! As if cold calling wasn't hard enough in English!!!!

My problem is I still have a gringo tongue and accent. The second I open my mouth, they can automatically place me from EEUU. This can only be cured with LOTS MORE TIME.... years of speaking it.

What I have found to be most effective - to avoid danger - Is I wear a Korean style head-band and Kumono when in bad areas. This automatically scares away groups of bandits, because they think I am either a Bruce Lee clone or I have finally lost my mind.

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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.

Cien pinned to your zipper should make you blend in with the rest of the crowd!

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

Don't wear a fanny pack... Get something a little hipper than "dad jeans". There are styles that are comfortable for guys over 30 that actually look ok... Ditto on the standard dad white sneakers.. Take a look at how people are dressed walking around a mall.... I've seen quite a few middle aged latinos that dress pretty well here.

Walter 38

When you started this thread you said you would be here in September and you wanted to know “what to wear to blend in with locals.” Some good honest advice was given. How has your trip been? Did you fit in? As you look back, did it matter if you fit in or not?

Just curious.

DC

DC very good questions. I would also like to know if the gentlemen took ANY of the advice given. Both ends were present. Makes you say hmmmm.
Thanks
BoB

Im 6'1 300lb shaved head, big beard and tattoos. Im a Biker ex Marine and a truck driver. I get looks where ever i go in CR but I have never been mugged.... yet

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A car moves your body, a Harley moves your soul.

RockXXL Do you want to know why you haven't been mugged?

6'1", 300 pounds and because you were a Marine, the way you walk says "don't ph*ck with me or I will rip your head off and s*hit in the hole." [I love Gunny Ermie]

I think that just about sums it up.

Remember the ex-special forces guy about a year ago in Limon. He just got off the cruise ship, a bunch of seniors were in a van taking photos of th ship. Then a local street thug tried to rob them and the ex-special forces guy snapped the thug's neck. Maybe they are learning.

That man in Limon was in his 70's. I had a run in last year in Jaco with 4 punks on the way back to my hotel from the BB. As soon as I realized I was being fallowed I turned around and walked right back at them. I was not going to let them fallow me down the alley in the dark. Just as the s*it was going to hit the fan a pick up full of police pulled up and went after the 4 men. I never saw a cop all night but they where there when I needed them.

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A car moves your body, a Harley moves your soul.

Now....that's a refreshing story about the Fuerza Publica. Maybe they're turning a new leaf.

RockXXL

That guy was my hero. Seventy years old and still capable. It inspired me to got my fat little butt back on the tread mill and weights. It will never be the same as it was 45 years ago, but since I began a regular work out regime my flexibility, endurance and muscular strength have improved.

I will never be a competitive athlete again but there are other reasons for working out. Importantly, my ability to be stimulated and my stamina have increased. That is not a concern for you younger guys, but you will be surprised at how quickly life goes by and one day you will realize that your are in the senior citizen category. It will be a shock.

On another note XXL, please forgive my ignorance: in your tag line you say to support the troops (which I have done personally with four of my K*ds having served in one or both of the open theaters), but what does the last part of the tag line mean – and [support] your local Red & White?

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A car moves your body, a Harley moves your soul.

Thanks for the feedback.

Hahahahaha, thats so funny CLN20.

Your post from the beginning of the treaad makes me both laugh and also feel confident and secure.

I'm 53 and have lived in alot of places around the world.

Your choice of attire, being in my opinion very UN-TASTEFUL, is also saying, look at me, I am an American with no taste and too much money.

Don't get me wrong. I am happy that you choose to flaunt your threads. I am sure that you do get compliments on your tennies. In the back of the complmentors minds, is no doubt, " I wonder how much they cost?"

Personally, I would not be caught dead in those if you gave them to me for nothing.

When visiting or living in any foriegn country I always wear what I always wear anywhere. Very casual but together. Clean, tidy, low stated and put together.

However, I am always happy to see someone like yourself that SHOUTS OUT, I AM A TOURIST!

On one note: you could include a camera around your neck for effect.

Cheers

Well, while I'm glad that you feel secure good sir. It doesnt surprise me that you wouldnt be caught dead in my attire, as I'm sure the feeling is mutual if I saw what you wear. No disrespect, but if you're 53, you're almost double my age. I wouldnt wear what my father wears either.

As for the 'no taste' portion of it, that's open for debate. Everyone has different opinions. From the sounds of it, looking at you might make me think..."that guy has no style, so bland" vs. "oh, look how tasteful that looks!". The biggest culprit here is our difference in age.

Of course my appearance is going to scream out that I'm a tourist, but not just by my clothes. I am a white american, and obviously so. Should I try to look tico? Buy some faded jeans and scuffed shoes? Like I've said before, I'm not gonna go buy a new wardrobe to go bang hookers for a few days. The clothes I posted, are what I normally wear. Why should I change? To try to blend in, which is impossible anyways?

On that note, I will back in CR shortly, wearing what I like to wear, not making any attempt to blend in whatsoever, as it is an exercise in futility.

CLN20, you make an excellent point about the differences in generational thinking. There is a huge difference in thinking (beliefs and values) between someone from the Baby Boomer Generation and someone from the Millennial Generation.

Likewise, the thinking of the Boomers was radically different, both literally and figurative, from the Greatest Generation, the parents of Boomers.

One thing we all have in common as hobbyists is the love of and desire to purse ladies of leisure.