Why are Costa Ricans so chaotic??

• I've been in Costa Rica for 3 months now - and I'm starting to get really sick of it. Nothing works, and whenever you agree upon something with someone, it's sure not going to happen. The usual answer to any question seems to be "yes, we'll do it", but this "yes" means basically "no - but I'm not even gonna bother your with telling you". I know there's cultural differences, I know you should adapt to the locals, but this attitude is really starting to piss me off cause I find it quite rude ...

  17 May 2007, 05:16 Don

Replies

• Why Costa Ricans are so caotic?

  Hi!
  I am Costa Rican that has spend a few years in and out of the country...
  I never realized how we where in that matter until I experience other cultures, but you are absolutely right about the way you feel...this is why we have the famous phrase "tico time", This is the way we are...no matter how upset you are about, is not going to change, you have to learn how to deal with it...is like we are in our own time for everything.Gets really frustrared when you are trying to get things done!
  Costa Rica is an amazing country but we have to much burocracy going on. This is why not everybody cant handle to leave here...we are all the oposite to New York time.
  I dont think is right but is the true. I cant not even give you reason of why we are like that...a combination of culture, history, weather, ect.
  
  

  Key 11 Nov 2007, 10:42 - Report

• Why Costa Ricans are so caotic?

  if you do not like as we are, nothing she prevents you of return

  ale 09 Apr 2008, 01:18 - Report

• This is why..

  Costa Ricans are known to be the happiest and most accountable people in the world so it shocks me to hear you've had such experience. I'm not sure what you mean by "nothing works" but judging by your writing style I can tell you are negative by nature and your willingness to make a general characterization about an entire population in 3 months doesn't say much about how well you are "adapting to the culture". My suggestion is learn to convey and interact by setting a social value equal to those your are dealing with. Costa Ricans can tell a douche bag a mile away, be humble, modest, and keep a positive attitude and you too like millions of others will love Costa Rica the way I do.

  KB 02 May 2008, 04:04 - Report

• from venezuela

  i have never been in Costa Rica, but i can tell you that Venezuela is the same thing maybe worst
  since itis bigger and more money and corruption around
  it probably as to do something with the caribe
  it is really frustrating
  but that it is the way it goes
  try to see the bright side of the culture
  the kindness the easiness in many things any rule can be broken if you are nice and joyful....the climate
  if not you will go crazy

  cr 06 May 2008, 04:30 - Report

• why?

  Im am Costa Rican and I smell funny.

  Henry McSmithstein Jr 30 May 2008, 03:31 - Report

• I sympathize

  Its probably because you don't bathe and have sex with guinea pigs. Or so I've been told.. by scholars! if you want better hygiene/human looking offspring then the cure begins with opening your mind. Change your ways Costa Rica, change your ways.

  Salvatore Esperansa Smith 30 May 2008, 05:02 - Report

• Ticos

  Having lived in different countries, I am indeed surprised that in Costa Rica which is NOT an underdeveloped country people still have attitudes and ways of behaving that are normally associated with poor countries. It puzzles me!!!

  Evelina 02 Jun 2008, 01:47 - Report

• Free

  Freedon,this is my country.showing to the entire world long time ago,that is possible to live ...in peace without army.
  I can not fix the world ,but is not many people that can say the same.

  lili 21 Jun 2008, 09:14 - Report

• Freedom

  You can live in peace and have an army, it all depends who your neighbours are.
  Costa Rica doesnt have an army because it cant afford to keep one, it wasn't because of any great political gesture to the world, luckily Panama and Nicaragua arent any threat.
  
  Yes there is freedom in CR but there is plenty of corruption and an increase in violence...kind of hampers having freedom if you cant enjoy it because of some nutters.

  froggy 30 Jun 2008, 09:40 - Report

• Tico Time...........

  I am from the U.S. but lived and worked in Costa Rica for a year. In regards to "tico time" I found that it really depends on the type of people you are associating with. While that may sound "classist" it seems to me that those of middle to upper middle class have the same appreciation for punctuality as do gringos. If someone is always late or doesn't show up to meet you... then you need to look at what the relationship was based on in the first place... i.e., are they trying to use you or is it a "real" friendship?

  shawn de san jose 19 Aug 2008, 04:29 - Report

• Pura Vida

  First, you have posted the same post on Italy-surely, having some fun, right?
  
  But it is interesting to read about people's experiences in CR. I lived in CR for 3 yrs. Beautiful nature, wonderful sweet genuine people. The attitude to time is very relaxed although the more professional person you deal with, the better. BEWARE of the beaurocracy!!! that is the only thing that was driving me mad over there. And the thing is, those used to the system don't see it, and, frankly, they accept it entirely. Quite passive attitude. Decisions are not made-they evolve. Banking system highly underdeveloped. Driving - no rules, lots of smog. Get out of San Jose-it is a pit, and go to the beach or Arenal,you'll enjoy it! Rest on a hammock, and enjoy the day! Life cannot be better. Pura vida!

  A 27 Aug 2008, 09:46 - Report

• Pure Mugger´s Paradise

  I was planning on moving to Costa Rica permanently from Florida, but after three weeks changed my mind. Very high real estate prices and rampant drug and crime problem! I was mugged and robbed of all my possessions the second week I was there! This place sucks.

  Jonathan, Florida 03 Oct 2008, 05:17 - Report

• guatemala is better in Central america.

  guatemala is better in Central america...http://www.visitguatemala.com/

  guy richie 14 Oct 2008, 03:37 - Report

• ticos son los mojores okay?

  COSTA RICA IS BEAUTIFUL AND YOU OBIUSLY DONT KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT?!?! THATS WHY WE HAVE SO MANY GRINGOS IN OUR COUNTRY AND NONE COMPLAIN SO IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THEN BYEEE. NOONE MAKING YOU STAY.

  JESSICA 03 Feb 2009, 11:47 - Report

• Don

  You sound like a pussy bitch, grow some balls and learn their ways instead of going against it!

  GurdleMcTurtle 26 Feb 2009, 09:33 - Report