www.CostaRicaTicas.com

there's always Hotel Asia which is located just around the corner from Del Rey...

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When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.

You know exactly the point I - and others - were making, TW - Don't use a word meaning Costa Rican female to denote whore, then no reason to point out the mistake - correct?

The OP asked a simple question re the Prez' policy - and it got answered; with very low, if any, flames - if you want to add something about other hotels he can try, great - but that was not his question.

I'm not gonna validate wrong info - or let pass when someone uses a term offensivly, for reasons previously given - I don't see the need for flaming, unless someone wants to argue the point using the word tica to mean whore is no big deal - I see it as missionary work, saving the dorks from themselves; letting them know that they really are not "cool, in the know" sorta guys but real newbis in need of schooling

Its almost as the only Spanish word that some people seem to learn is what Tica means and does not mean. if you really want to understand the culture and teach the "newbies" perhaps how orgullo, respeto, dignidad and other REALLY important concepts play out within Costa Rican cultural context.

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

I think the name of this site should be changed to CostaRicaHosaritas, so there is'nt anymore confusion.

Agreed. Clarifying what tica means is a great start in that educational process, given using it as a synonym for prostitute is an affront to those same cultural concepts of pride, dignity and respect you mentioned.

Here's to a happy experience for all CRT brothers in CR, with no avoidable unpleasantness.

mh

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mh

. Athough I think that this site is in appreciation of the adult Costa Rican female in general, whatever her employment choices may be.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

In truth, I do not agree.I think usually it is the about the nature of who we use language. When I mongering in last week, and wrote to my freind about my experiences, I wrote that the "chica" phucked me silly. I was using the word chica as a placeholder- I am not saying that all "chicas" are prostitutes, it was just the way the sentence "sounded" as i was writing. I could have written, "the whore" phucked me silly, but that frankly would feel more disrespectful.

The same is when I say, looking at a Costarican prostitute, that is one hot tica. I am not saying that all ticas are whores, but that that particualar women who IS a hooker is hot.

When I travel to LOS, and write about the women I am with, I wrote TG, or Thai girl. Of course I know that all Thai girls are not hookers, but it is must easier and frankly less cumbersome to write, Thai girl who is a prostitute.

I just find it goofy that guys make this one correction, but then haven no problem contrubting to things in the "muy tico" thread, or lableing things as such. In truth, I think it comes from a lack of understanding about what is truly important in being respectful, not validation of it.

IMHO.

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

We will have to agree to disagree then. Based on what you wrote above, I think you're not understanding the point Scuba1 and others are trying to make about tica.

I can't speak for others, but I spend a lot of time sharing my experiences with the local tico culture in particular and Latin American culture and language in general with whomever asks me, on CRT or in person. Educating newbies who, out of lack of knowledge, misuse tica to mean prostitute is a particular point of interest for me.

Why?

I've said this before, but I'll say it again: a few years ago I witnessed an altercation between an American tourist and several locals caused by the American asking repeatedly "Where can I find ticas" in broken Spanish. This at first confused the locals, but when they realized he was asking for prostitutes the locals were not amused, loud expletives were uttered, and some pushing and shoving started to happen. All avoidable, all caused by a misunderstanding. The example you cited above is not applicable, because if this tourist would have asked for CHICAS instead of TICAS, the locals would have never thought he was trying to imply Costa Rican women are all whores, which is the misunderstanding that provoked the argument.

If I see someone misusing tica on CRT because they don't know any better (and the site's name naturally drives them to conclude tica means working girl), I'll try to set them straight so they know it's not cool to do it when they're down there. Just like I would advise a newbie not to walk alone in Guarari at midnight (or at any time for that matter).

I've always believed one of the reasons CRT exists is to help others who share our interests. I've been helped so much by CRT members in the past, I feel it's only right to help a newbie not make a dumb mistake which might lead to some unpleasantness.

mh

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mh

I agree, the issue with the word "tica" is more than just picky semantics. This advice is something that could someday save your ass from an unnecessary thrashing, or at the least a verbal confrontation. Once again, the CRT members usually have each others' best interests in mind.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Still can't figure to this day why they got rid of the restaurant. If anyone has stayed there recently, how are the state of the rooms? I remember there used to be some debate over this but think they may have done some work since then.

PLUS 1000000000+ great post -

Hank, I've always enjoyed your posts, and think you are a sharp, educated guy - seriously - but put me in the "disagree" section with your post and the point you were making - its also preventable stupidity - the mis use of the word Tica; why go out of your way to offend those in the country you are visiting.

MH gives a great example; I have had Tico's tell me the misuse of the term Tica is akin to using the N word.

Well, I am either not making my point well, or we are all going to just have to disagree and have that be cool. I NEVER am advocating for the use of language were people use whore and costa rican women interchanably-I am suggesting that when people write about it, they use the term in a different manner than they would when speaking. I am also suggesting that so much focus on one small slice of language seems to be the totality of what we talk about when we are exploring poor use of Spanish and cultural insensitivity that can get us in trouble, that is all.

Example- In Latin America (and big time in most of Asia), it is more acceptable to lie than to offend. Americans see this is a problem of deception, where it is merely a matter of the relative valuation of honestly verses saving face and avoiding angry exchanges.

Regardless- I respect the impulse to help newbies learn the ropes, and in particular the cultural ropes- I just wish it would more frequently extend beyond this one example. I have given up, for the most part, as it has been less than appeciated at times, and has lead to my being accused of either being PC or somehow being believing I am superior.

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

Hey, when you are, it just goes with the territory - SORRY SORRY

I'm sure there are many who would say that about me especially regarding correctiong the misuse of the word "Tica" (and maybe my style of posting in general )

You can see how broken up i am about it I hate preventable stupidity, and if I can point out - and not always in a nasty manner - and help someone avoid a mistake, I'm going to do it

When tallking about Ticas or Ticos think of it as nationality....same as using the word American for citizens of United States. So if you substitute "American" into the sentence and it conveys what you are trying to say then you are OK...but if not then use a different word.

That's pretty sharp Zeos and less than a book.