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Surftown, If you will reread BOTH of my posts in this thread, I was not trying to chastise people for what they wear. In the 1st post I was answering the guestion as I see it based on living here and over the past 40 years having spent a lot of time in Latin countries, and also working with Latinos for 30+ years. It had to do with dressing to not draw attention and thus making yourself a target, and with how you (a gringo) will be looked at by the Latinos. In the 2nd post, yes I was ranting about a relatitively small percentage of gringos (should have made that more clear) who go to other countries (not just here) and make obnocious, arrogant asses out of themselves; project the attitude that they are superior and in general perpetuate the "ugly American" idea so many people in other countries have of Americans today.
I can remember when Americans were looked at with appreciation, affection, admiration, and envy. Today, sadly, all too often we are looked at with disgust, distrust, disbelief, and very sadly, with fear and hatred. This change makes me very sad. I am, and always have been very proud to be an American. I just do not like what it has become in the eyes of most of the rest of the world.
OH! And, yes I do know that anything with puma (fake or real) is worn and is very popular here, especially by the young ticas. As for comlpaining to make me feel better about myself, you do not know me and if you did you would know that I feel great about myself. I am loud, obnoxious at times (but not on the streets), egotistical, and highly opinionated. BUT, I am living a dream that most guys in the states can not even imagine.
CIN20-- Wear what ever you wish--hell go naked for all I care!!! I am just trying to explain that, yes, as a Gringo you will look different, BUT that by dressing more conservative (like the natives) you will stand out less, draw less attention, and therefore be less of a target. As for your trendy, designer items, I seriously doubt if you were complimented in a good way on the streets--more likely they were letting you know you were marked as a potential target. Wanting to try on your sunglasses is a very old ploy here to take them and run. As for your "nice shoes"; give me a break!! Not one in 500 ticos on the streets here would know enough english to say that even if they did happen to notice your shoes. Walking the usually very crowded streets here people do not have time to be looking at someones shoes. Oh! and your list of what to wear is a great big invitation to get robbed if you leave the REY/Kl. And the only way it impresses the chicas is by telling them you have money and will be an easy mark. Yes, they will maybe lower their original asking price in hopes of making the bigger score along the way.
As an example of my whole point in all this:
Recently I met a gringo (30ish, tall, athletic) who was always wearing shorts, flipflops, a loud shirt, and a crazy hat. He was continually being loud and obnoxious on the streets--yelling insults across the street at street people, making crude remarks and even groping chicas, and walking into stores, pestering female employes while they were trying to work. I and others told him he needed to tone it down a little (actually a lot). His response--"What the hell for??? I am here to have fun and these are just dumb street people, Ticas, etc" We tried to tell him that if he did not tone it down, he was going to get mugged. WELL guess what??? The next day he was robbed and cut with a knife. You may think this is an extreme case, but, living here, I see it way too freguently. And this is why I am so outspoken and opinionate about the subject.
Lastly, what I have said about dress has nothing to do with what one wears in the REY,KL, NYB, SL, or even ZB. These are Gringo places and the only non gringos are the chicas who, as has been pointed out, could care less what you are wearing;( even thou they do appreciate a nicely dressed guy), and Tico employes of the place. What I was suggesting is how a Gringo should dress and act when in the streets of San Jose in areas such as calle2, 4, 6, 8; Ave 7, 9, 11; or in the Barrios.
_________________ Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!! 
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Pura Vida 
am I going to have to buy all new clothes? Does the Del Rey have a dress code for us? Is there a new gay element revealing itself on CRT? My God are things so boring all we can talk about is clothing. 
. The guy who I know who got cut up bad a couple of weeks ago would probably make you look like a midget and thought he was tough. The streets here, just as in any large city are not Mayberry, USA; and all I am trying to say is that the more you stand out because of your dress and actions, the more your will draw attention and the more you are apt to have a problem. Anyone that can not understand and comprend that has an even bigger problem; SO HAVE FUN 
