www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Mike, I would just like to thank you, CLN20, and anyone else who thinks the same way. Those bandits on the motorcycle with the knives thank you, too.

It is guys like you who make it so much safer for guys like me and easier for guys like the pair on the bike. They can spot those cargo shorts from two blocks away. It makes it so much easier for them to circle the block and set you up while I slide on by in my jeans and dark shirt.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Right on, Pac.

What I was trying to say with my ridiculous comments above, is that while you'll never be fully camouflaged, you'll never totally blend in, you'll always be spotted as a gringo... you can still blend by wearing the right clothes.

1. No flip-flops or gym shoes except at the beach or in a gym.

2. No shorts except at the beach

3. No T-shirts, particularly T-shirts with either Costa Rica logos or offensive sayings, except at the beach.

4. No floral shirts, etc.

Best outfits would include long pants or jeans, particularly daytime for jeans. Collared shirts, particularly short-sleeve dress shirts sans tie. Dark colored shirts at night. Dark-colored walking shoes, dress shoes or casual shoes...but no sneakers.

5. No fanny packs or backpacks in town.

6. No ball caps with American logos or offensive sayings.

Just look around you, blind guys. Look at what the middle class in Costa Rica wears. Dress accordingly. No, you won't blend in...but at least you won't look like just another bloody tourist.

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

Pac and El Ciego, right on.


I really wanted to write a post about the arrogance, false superiority, and 'do not give a damn' attitudes of some guys who are totally blind to reality.

As an American living in another country I am continually embarrased by the Attitudes like; "I am richer than you so I can do what I want"; "I am on vacation, so the customs of the country I am visiting means nothing to me"; "I want to make sure these people see me and know I am an invincible gringo "; They are just a bunch of dumb ass poor slobs so why should I care if they laugh at me and think that all Americans are just as stupid as I am ". Oh!!! and one other--- "these are just stupid, trashy, low class WHORES!!! Why should I show them any respect just because I am ALSO WHORING by paying them for sex??? I AM STILL BETTER THAN THEY ARE

But I would only be preaching to the choir!! Seems it is always the same small group that have no concern for anything but their on pleasure and desires; could care less how Americans look to others; and are so closed minded that no amount of rational explaining or reasoning will ever sink in to them.

AND SOME PEOPLE wonder why the USA is in such a shitty mass today and is looked at in such low esteem by other countries and people "BUT the USA is so superior there is no reason to be concerned about any other country or people"

JMHO so flame away!

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Well said, BB57 and El C.

It's not so much about trying to blend in than it is about being culturally aware and trying to not look like the typical gringo tourist. I think somebody here said "Just because it's a tropical country doesn't mean the whole place is a beach." Something to keep in mind. Personally, I don't wear shorts at all, not even at home, not even while hiking.

I think the typical Del Rey Gringo also has his passport and a fat wad of cash in his back pockets.

I think the level of self loathing bang feels about his fellow americans is sad these days however sometimes its warranted for behavior abroad, BUT chastising people for what they wear is a bit self righteous. I wear my puma sweat suit because its comfy and I can get a workout in before lunch.
Bang would probably see that as arrogant to wear a puma jacket or some other complaint that makes him feel better about himself, but little does he know those puma jackets and sweat suits are very much in style in CR as well as California

Wear this to blend in at the DelRey...
http://www.dressingupboxonline.co.uk/pr ... ?prod=2100

_________________

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

If you are going to go all out, make sure to use this one. Chicas just love it -

http://www.foureyesjokeshop.com/browseproducts/Money-Man-Tuxedo-Costume.HTML

_________________
Hit them fast, Hit them hard and NEXT!
A good chica is like a good carpenter - No wood gets wasted!!!

You guys are so ridiculous. Chastising people for wearing shorts? I mean, its not like we're in 80 degree weather in Central America or anything.

The ultimate end result, is that you're not gonna blend in. Wearing what a tico wears isnt gonna change the fact that you're a gringo tourist. I'm not getting a new wardrobe to go bang hookers for a few days. I'm gonna wear what I normally wear, what I like, and whats comfortable. Maybe I should bring my suits down, and I could fit in like the security guards at the DR.

Besides, everytime you walk into the BM or KL, you see a million guys wearing exactly what you guys are saying not to wear.

I'm going down in Sep, and I'm gonna be wearing exactly what I said in my prev post, and I'd rather be identified as an American, than trying to be something I'm not. Even on my last trip, I had on some fresh Jordan sneakers, a nice watch, and even brought my Prada shades and wore them around. And guess what happened...instead of being jacked, I got complimented. Ticos passed me on the street and said in english "nice shoes". Ticas always wanted to try on my sunglasses.

Personally I think it helped in the negotiation process, I never paid cien my last trip, even though I think everyone was aware I could easily afford it, I think they lowered their prices and were hoping for a bigger tip, which I would usually oblige.

Of course, I'm a different demographic than most on this board, I'm only 28, and I am totally not as spending conscious as most on this board. Here's what you need for a good time in CR, clothes wise-

A nice clean pair of Jordan 1 retros, these turned so many heads my last trip..

http://www.sitv.com/blogs/whatshot/wp-c ... andy-3.jpg

These are my Pradas I brought on my last trip

http://www.sunglasshut.com/sgh/catalog. ... sku=481603

And I'm also bringing my Versaces next time..

http://www.sunglasshut.com/sgh/catalog. ... sku=646890

I have to bring those to match the shorts, one pair is black, another brown. I can't walk around mismatched you know.

And then you match it with a shirt like this..

http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/eb ... 7530574000

Usually, I'll wear a hat while I'm there too..I love red, so this hat makes perfect sense..

http://www.lids.com/pid/20076667

And I also always bring my Citizen, its a lower end watch (dont wanna trust it with the breitling)

http://www.abouttime.com/business/mnt1/ ... 31-59a.jpg

And of course,

http://holamun2.com/wp-content/uploads/ ... sh-wad.jpg

BTW, thats not my wad of cash, but you get the idea.


So, in closing, you guys keep on dressing like Ticos, trying to fit in and complaining about getting tip requests, and I'll be having fun.

Shit! I gotta get me one of those!

I don't think BB57 was being self-righteous. Fact is this: Some guys here live in the country, or are culturally aware, or who aren't blind to their environment...and can suggest ways to dress that would benefit those who take the advice.

I think BB57 went too far in his diatribe, but I understand his frustration. This whole "gentleman-monger" concept is predicated on the idea that if you treat all locals with respect (not the least of whom are chicas), try to learn the language, dress to blend in a little etc. that it reaps benefits for the monger and by extension for all hobbyists. This whole philosophy, whether it concerns manner of dress, etiquette, honesty when dealing with chicas is all very self-serving for us Americans/Canadians traveling to C.R. for fun.

It ain't about preaching to anybody. Most of us making these clothing and behavior suggestions aren't doing it to be self-righteous. We have empiracal and anecdotal evidence that the gentleman monger has way more fun, pays lower prices, doesn't get ripped off by the locals as often and are often safer than mongers who disregard such advice as being self-righteousness or copping a superior attitude.

THere are numerous books and even executive courses offered on intercultural interactions and local customs. I think it's just kind of dumb to ignore the experiences of others.

Look, if you're not leaving the del Rey, wear a jock strap and pith helmet if it pleases you. I think if one is to interact with the locals with the best possible outcome, one should "do as the Romans do." If it's a Puma jogging suit...fine. If it's a dark-colered, button-down shirt, long khakis and comfortable casual shoes, so be it.

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

Well i have had no problems so far and i always wear jeans,shorts ,tank tops,sneakers and sandals.No i don't think i'm better than the locals and i treat them and the girls with respect.I have walked the city including some bad areas (daytime) with no problems.Pac i would be willing to bet that if the motorcycle bandits saw me on one side and you on the other they would go after you. I would also like to know why you would want something to happen to a fellow monger.Just because some of us have a different opinion/viewpoint than yours only means we have different preferances.I could say that a few of you flame/ridicule anyone that does not agree with you.This is not rocket science. Some of us choose to spend/tip alittle more than others and dress the way we want.When i first joined this board i did a lot of reading(not posting for 8 months).After 1 trip i realized a lot of information was crap.As CLN20 said many people dress in shorts and sandals etc. and not just at the DR. I have seen it all over town including the SL.Also i have met CRT members who dress in shorts etc.I know that i'm not always right and have a lot to learn but maybe just maybe some of you should stop trying to impose your will on everyone (what to spend/tip,where to stay what to wear).Just a newbee for life.

Are we speaking of security when discussing this? I think said bandits would be more apt to attacking weakness, body language, stumbling drunken stoopers.

When I'm in CR, I roll just like I do here in S Fla. When you see me in the DR, that's pretty much what you would see me wear inside pure platinum, or any other club.

Now, who cares what the chicas think about my clothes?....... I do.

Does it change much for me? Not so much because I can converse well with them. However, I wouldn't want to fall in what they percieve as the garden variety, stero typical gringo either. I need my chica to have naughty thoughts


Cujo

_________________
"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

I have no idea why you think that I would wish ill on a fellow monger. I was simply thanking those who take the time to stand out on the street to lure the attention of the bad guys, and there are bad guys. I personally know three people who have been mugged, one of them stabbed on a major street in broad daylight. I have also been accosted by would-be muggers but didn't hang around to see what their modus operandi was.

What I was trying to do was to bring to your attention the fact that shorts and a tee-shirt are obvious and gringo from a long way off, like from a block over on a motorcycle. If they saw you one one side of the street wearing your beach attire they wouldn't even notice me in long pants and a dark shirt sliding by on the other side of the street (which was exactly my point).

By all means, wear anything you want anywhere you want. Far be it from me to try to alert you to the very real possibility that your attire may bring unwanted attention. Don't forget to post a "My Mugging" thread after the fact and I will try not to say "I told you so...".

(PS: Why do some guys get so wrapped up in their own ego that they can't even see when someone is trying to help them avoid trouble? This ain't Kansas, Toto.)

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Crap. I see touristas in shorts & hawaiian shirts all over C.R.! All the time! It's like they have a dress code!

Sure, I'm a "tourista" too but I don't choose to be associated with most of the people in that other group so I choose not to dress like one.

Don't get me wrong. There is no way I am EVER going to blend in. I don't even have to open my mouth & utter some of my Spanglish. I'm 6'2", 250lb with light brown hair & eyes that are not dark brown. But I certainly will not be going out of my way to stand-out!

Last week I was downtown S.J. & while waiting to cross a street I overheard a tour guide who was showing a new group of gringa eco tourist volunteers around town. He commented about how interesting the Ticos would find the girls because of thier fair hair, skin & eyes. It is true that most of us gringos are "different" but that ain't necessarily a bad thing! Just as Ticos like the gringas, many of the Ticas find gringos very attractive. I have a Tica friend that can't get enough of my pasty white a$$!

So don't worry about blending in. Just be respective of the culture, don't be an a$$-hole & enjoy yourself!

_________________
Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

I noticed you used dollar signs- freudian slip?

_________________

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

My third trip is coming up. I just like to dress comfortably. In the daytime that means shorts and either a t-shirt or shortsleeve button down. Being a large (very large) guy, I don't ever wear bright colors. At night I wear jeans, blue or black. I always wear sneakers with the shorts, as personally, I myself, am offended by sandals or flip-flops (maybe wouldn't be if people would learn to walk in them without making the slapping sound). I have one white pair, and one black. With blue jeans, I wear my Timberland hiking boots, and with black jeans, I wear a 20 year old pair of elephant ropers that still look brand new. I have several printed t's, either Miami Inc., Orange County Chopper, or mma stuff (still waiting on my "Affliction" t-shirts).

It's not a sign of disrespect, and I always treat the locals, and the girls with the utmost of respect. I just like to be comfortable. esides, I can't fit 8 pairs of jeans in my size in one bag along with all my other shyte.