www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I got really lucky on my third trip. I met my favorita, Katerina. She is very mature, 30, Columbiana and we click like crazy. Never asks me for stuff but is delighted when I give her stuff. Never asks me for money but when I do she shows her appreciation. I find I can have adult conversations with her very well, her English is much better than my Spanish though.

I think if I ever decide to stop mongering (and trust me, that's at least several YEARS away, if ever), this may be THE woman for me. Time will tell, and whatever may be may be. But we're a pretty good fit and she's one of the finest women I've ever met.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

Not sure how I never ended up reading this thread until now., but I can tell you latina jealousy is real. I think it's a part of immaturity to argue with you about nothing, or get jeaous over nothing. Sometimes I think they just do that to test you and see if you'll give in so they get what they want now.. but in the long run it can ruin a relationship. If I'm in a rather masochistic mood that day, I may actually start shit with the g.f. just to see how far she'll take it.

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Enzo

Now in High Definition!

Interesting point. What I have learned is that relationships in latin america whether it be friendship or more is all about - manipulation and means to an end. Furthermore, one thing that I've even had my significant other agree to - there is NO HONOR in latin america. It is a cultural value that simply doesn't exist. It probably has roots in our Anglo Saxon heritage, but somehow was not gifted from their Spanish heritage. What does this mean? Well, first thing - there are no cultural norms like ours about lying, cheating and stealing. They are not taught it in school. Their parents don't really teach it. They might "touch on it" but its just not the same.

For example, I went to a school that had a rule - if you cheat, you get expelled. Period. No exceptions. Thus, I learned from an early age that cheating was a bad thing and only results in failure and embarrassment. Cheating and lying go together. Lying, cheating and stealing go together. My parents would punish me if I lied and if I stole something, they would probably turn me into the police.... to teach me a lesson. Thus, I have stolen NOTHING IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Stealing doesn't exist in my brain. It is NEVER AN OPTION.

Down here - cheating is seen as being clever and smart. Lying is seen as a survival mechanism. Stealing is seen as being normal means to get ahead in life. ITS AMAZING - I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR OVER 4 YEARS - AND I JUST NOW HAVE FIGURED THIS OUT!!!!

The interesting thing - there is no real thing to divert them from lying, cheating and stealing other than religion. The law certainly doesn't scare them.

I used to wonder why a seemingly innocent girl I dated (not a hooker) from a middle class family, stole $80 from me on our second date. And, lied like hell about it, when I confronted her with the obvious truth. Then offered to pay it back, as a concession and admission of guilt. This drove me crazy. This wasn't some poor hooker or drug addict. This girl even had a decent job. The answer is the same as the pretty little girls in the hotels and casinos that will rob you blind at any given second. THEY HAVE NO HONOR. PERIOD. So, there you all have it.

The other interesting observation in CR, is that some gringos come down here, and two things happen:

1. They go native. They become liars and con artists; or,
2. They come down here because they flourish in this culture where lying, cheating and stealing are prevalent and basically a cultural norm, rather than exception. They are essentially already bad people, and do not thrive in the US, where they don't have a cultural fit. Or, quite plainly, they get thrown in jail repeatedly for doing bad shit.

More stuff to throw in your pipe and smoke...

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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.

What a load of crap.
What a load of crap.

mh

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mh

How many CR schools have you attended? Or did your girlfriend tell you that? I would be surprised if you really believed that statement. In my inlaws house, if somebody stole something and they found out about it, they would get the beating of a lifetime and then would have the shame to go return it and apologize. It's a matter of how they were raised and the values that were instilled in them from childhood. If you novia stole money from you, then don't blame society, blame her, and her upbringing.

It's quite ironic that all your non-puta novias steal, cheat, and lie. That's something you always complained about putas doing. You need to look for more mature novias.

Orange,

She wasn't my novia. It was a second date. So, for lack of a better word, I used "novia." I also don't understand your posts - which are aimed at me. I wasn't talking about you or your wife. I hardly know anything about you man! I was talking about the CR culture. So, cool your phucking jets down. And, stop lecturing me.

I live here and this is my experience and my opinion. CR is culture of thieves. People generally do not have any honor. The women mostly lie - thats what happens when their mouths are moving. The schools don't teach anything. The laws aren't enforced well. You can be in ignorant about this fact. Or, you can be in denial. But, those razor wires and bars are on ALL the homes and buildings are there for a reason. They even know it.

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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.

Can you please enlighten the group? Expand on this thought....

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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.

Reminds me of a story a gringo there told me, during his novia's birthday party somebody went through all the women's purses and stole the cash and cell phones. Bad thing was the only people in the house were her invited family members.

Forget who posted it after being burned in CR but he said "it's a gypsy culture"

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

If one responds to a post, it's only natural to direct the responses to its author.

Why is it that you make a post and then get all riled up when somebody disagrees with your opinion or criticizes it? Just like when you posted about getting jumped. People responded and you jumped down everybody's throat for not agreeing with your actions. And if you're so miserable there, wouldn't the obvious reaction be to leave.

Pretty interesting give and take here with a little bit of off the wall comments. Before we get out of hand, I like this thread and its value so please make sure you continue to discuss this topic as gentlemen and keep the personal comments out of it and the topic on point. This is good stuff but please don't let it get out of hand. Thanks.

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Thank you for supporting CRT!

The amount of thievery, that I have seen in the past 4 years, is astonishing. Virtually, anyone that I have talked has had something stolen. I'm not saying that all ticos are thieves. I'm saying, that as a general rule, the culture is a thieving culture. This means that relative to what I've seen in North American, there are a much higher percentage of thieves. The thing that is annoying is just having petty theft everywhere.

For example, I was on the bus last year, with a fanny pack (no wallet, just my mp3 player, and some chump change). Some assholes must have had a knife on him and cut it right off. I didn't feel a thing. All I know is that it was gone when I got off the bus. This is just one example of shit that happens everyday. I can't tell you how many times I've been on buses and trains in the US. When it was worked related.... almost always had any number of gadgets including my laptop. Maybe several hundreds of trips over the course of 40 years. Nothing ever was stolen. I've been on the bus maybe 2 dozen times in CR. And, they got me... How many people on this board got robbed on the bus or in a taxi?

Another example, every time..... EVERY TIME... I'm at the US Embassy in CR. There is at least 1 to 2 people in front of me with stolen passport cases. I'd be willing to bet the US Embassy must process at least 10 to 20 stolen passports every day. I'd even bet if you talked to the right person at the embassy, this estimate would be close.

People that don't live here, but fly down regularly or irregularly, don't see half of it. I mean.... give me a break.... my neighbor's dog was stolen and held for ransom. The poor women had to pay $400 to get it back. You would think this would be strange - however - my other neighbor, a wealthy chinese guy, also had his dogs stolen twice. Two dogs. One rottweiler and another pit bull type. Between that - and the stupid despots that steal manhole covers and bridge supports and copper from electrical wires. Where does it all end? It doesn't. You need to put the phucking bar all over your windows. Buy a scary dog. Get an alarm system and walk with caution. Its stupid.

I have a friend down here who lives in Bello Horizonte. His work relys on the internet. His inet went down and they came out and installed a new cable on the street. They got it working again. The very next day, it went down again. Why? Some asshole climbed the pole and stole the new cable. You want more stories like this? I've got probably a dozen or so....

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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.

Who am I jumping all over? I made a general comment about my observation of the culture in CR. You took something out of it - and directed it at me and my novia or my wife. What gives man? I certainly wasn't talking about your wife or novia.

I ain't miserable and I'm not riled up. I'm just burnt out and tired of it. I'm happy with certain aspects. But, tired of the rest of the shit. If you want to go through all of shit it, its really easy. Save money. Pack-up and move. In time, you will see the light.

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

As you all already know, I also am trying to find a way out of here. I'm working on the K*D's passports and everything. Anyone interested in a furnished american-style house?

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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 think Chi makes an very interesting point I have always tried to figure out the main element or root cause of what makes Costa Rica frustrating, and I would have to agree honor is probably the root value that is not prevalent in Costa Rica(im sure exists somewhere in CR but the exception proves the rule). When they lie and get caught they kind of laugh and its like ha ha you caught me this time, when they steal they just deny, when they are late and dont keep a commitment they ignore it and try to turn the tables on you, this all stems from lack of honor and integrity. I really didnt see it down in CR a whole lot until I started renting and my shit was getting stolen all the time, I never kept anything of value in my house...because I knew it would get stolen, even my clothes off the drying wire out back, they even took my socks, probably my shoes and underwear if they could. Living in the Hotels insulates you from alot of thievery because they know the probability of getting caught is high and they can lose their job. Once you rent the house with the corrugated roof and here the neighborhood stories well then your perspective does change. The dog thing is real and rampant, my neighbor had his dog killed when he did not pay the ransom.
However I do know for a fact that in the schools they do try teach the K*ds not to steal and lie.... my novias son got written up for stealing pencils because someone else said he stole them, he has plenty of pencils so i find it hard to believe BUT it did make its way back to the parent and the stealing was written up.

I think the only person who needs a little enlightenment is you.

Your statement quoted above is one of the most egregious examples of stereotyping I have ever read. It deserves no other response than a giant , coupled with a shrug and a dismissive, "What an idiot". Given I bothered to answer you means you've already gotten more attention than what you deserve.

Peace and enjoy your blinders,

mh

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mh