www.CostaRicaTicas.com

A lot of guys feel like Hiker Tom feels. It is a sign of respect to dress according the the conventions of the country you are in. The fact is, in Latin America, dressing in shorts is for teen agers and the beach. Dressing in flip flops is fine if you really want to perpetuate the stereotype of the insensitive, clueless gringo who demands things be the way they are back home. If you don't care, then by all means, knock yourself out. But if you do, well, wear pants and a casual shirt. Also, from my years of mongering, I find that guys who dress a bit more "hip" or neat, at least, have more "grey area" experiences (i.e. those that fall outside the realm of straight p4p, and I am NOT talking about BS fake love or RFM here, but about chicas willing to do outside the box) than those who dress and behave like class gringo slobs.....

Its the same argument as Spanish verses no Spanish. I have heard a 100 times that it makes no difference in service, unitil someone learns to speak past a very basic level and then they see their whole world open up....

And FYI, I am not talking about dressing up big time; decent jeans or kakis and a comfortable cotton shirt is fine....

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

This is how I do it.
http://www.bridalwave.tv/asos%20three%2 ... 20suit.jpg

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

ROFLMAO

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Why Chicas Come to CostaRica:

"Predators gather where prey abounds"

Hey you know that isn't your Key Largo suit it looks more like your Puchos uniform to me You Rico Devil

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Oh please, please CrackerAss, please come to MDE with us. You will just love it there.

Day-um! I'll bet the Brother is even wearing socks!

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Sorry hank but i dont feel the way you or your friend hiker tom does.Where does it say that by dressing different from you or HT makes us dumb ass tourist gringos.The fact that i and others dress a little more casual than you does not mean we are disrespecting anyone or a country.I/we are there on vacation and spending/contributing to there economy.Trust me you guys dont blend in by dressing up.I see many people from other countries and guess what they dont try to dress like americans or try to fit in.They do enjoy themselves and for the most part show respect.Some of you guys take this mongering thing a little to serious,without money these girls would not even consider going with you-dress does not matter.

Spoken like a true gringo.

mh

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mh

not only a true gringo,i'm proud to be one.

Don't worry, I think we can all see that.

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mh

I hope so

Here's an issue where each side is talking past the other--not gonna be resolved. Personally my mode of dress splits the difference; that is, I don't wear shorts outside the hotel but am known for wild-ass silk shirts, a nice straw hat and sandals daytime, with solid-color or muted print and hard shoes at night.
I am not totally convinced about the "halo effect"--Gringo dress doesn't lead anybody to think worse than they already do about us, nor conservative dress, much better. We're gonna stick out for height, sometimes weight, and other reasons anyway. The issue is, like a sore thumb or does the Tico glance just take note then slide away? This of course does not apply to the Hispanic and some Black men among us--just "Ice People" like me and of course, behavioral issues, language skills and overall manner are the wild card. I'm almost always smiling and usually deferential on the street, not liking anything smacking of confrontation anymore than Ticos do. I'm not lacking in resolve nor a wuss--I just recognize I am a guest in their country--even if the other person is an undocumented Nica or Colombiano and it's not really THEIR country, how would I know so assume the best.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Sorry Mike but you are way off base if you think it does not make a difference. You are a proud "NORTH" American? So "big deal"!! And that is how the majority of the rest of the world looks at you (big deal!) because of the "I am better than everyone else and I can do as I damn well please" attitude many North Americans from the USA have when visiting other countries. And if you honestly believe that your dress and actions go unnoticed by the chicas (and the whole general public) here, or anywhere else, you might need to try doing it differently just one trip and see what a difference it makes. Living here and knowing a lot of Ticos and Ticas, I can asure you that you do get 'special" treatment!! And not the good kind!!!! And I assure you that the 'ladron' will seek out the gringo in shorts, loud shirt, flip flops and crazy hat long before the gringo dressed more like the Ticos (long pants, conserative shirt, and dark shoes)!! NO, we do not totally blend in, but we are not as likely to be singled out either, and they appreciate us not saying by our dress and actions, "hey I am a gringo with more money, education, and posessions than you and I want to make sure you know it"!!! And, yes it is a matter of showing respect for the people in whose country YOU ARE VISITING!!!

When I first started visiting here many years ago I too dressed in the typical tourist garb. I was told very quickly by my (very non puta) girlfriend at the time: "Please do not dress like that, my friends and people on the street will make fun of you and be disrespectful of you because they think you are making fun of them"! And this was a wealthy, highly educated, and 'prominant aristicratic family', older Tica; not a 20 yo uneducated working chica!!

And the reason for the emphasis on the "NORTH" American is that these people are just as "AMERICAN" as you are--actually probably more so, since many of their ancestors were here (in the Americas) long before yours!!

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

As for me, I'm proud to be an US Citizen. Or as locals would say, un estadounidense.

U-S-A!


Amen. It's the monger version of the Mac vs. PC argument.


Wise you are, Master Obiwan!!


If I may be so bold... I don't think it makes a difference to some folks. At least not one they care about or are even equipped to notice.


Especially if you venture outside the Gulch.


I think we can all take a cue from how most long-time expats dress as they go about their daily lives in San Jose. You don't usually see BB57 or EdB running around in cargo shorts, flip flops and wife beaters... unless they're at the gym showing off the guns!

IMO how you dress has very little to do with trying to hide the fact you're a foreigner. It's more about showing the people you are visiting you have enough sense to adapt to their customs where and when appropriate and as long as you're comfortable. A clean shirt, jeans and walking shoes aren't "uncomfortable" for most people but are so much more presentable than the usual gringo monger attire.

"When in Rome"... savvy?

mh

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mh

As said before I try and blend in, jeans, tee shirt during the day, most likly and Imerial logo on it
I once had a tico couple pull up to me and ask directions, luck for me they were right in front of the place they were looking for Right here I told them, they thanked me and I went on my way. Did I blend in, or was I the only person to ask?????
As for putting on a nice shirt, good pants, and some shiney choos at night? Works well for me YMMV
The rants of a hick from NH

Probably your red dress and high heels attracted them

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