If you are serious about moving or doing business in Costa Rica you should first and foremost plan on learning the local language and the Latin culture. Most foreigners have become accustomed to things such as promptness and efficiency. That’s our baggage from our industrial and technology driven world. The expectation that these things exist in Costa Rica is our problem not the Tico's. If you're expecting things to be the same as in your home country then you're bound to get disappointed. A move to another country allows you to start over with a new life and experience a new culture in a new environment.
After 15 years here, I still have to remind myself; "If I don't expect much, I won't get disappointed" Then I step back, take a second look at the situation that is beginning to frustrate me and remind myself where I'm at, whom I'm dealing with and why I'm here. Then the situation at hand doesn't seem so irritating. Foreigners who do manage to stay for a long time in Costa Rica do so because they possess patience and flexibility. People who become frustrated here and decide to go back home, don't do so because they couldn't find their favorite beverage or a suitable appliance. They leave because they couldn't adapt to the local culture. The unexpected trials and wide differences in cultural understanding often make the transition much more difficult than expected.
Years ago I noticed several cultural differences that used to make my life in Costa Rica frustrating. Concept of time, expectations of efficiency and understanding the local language. The cultural differences in comprehending time can be attributed to the fact that Costa Ricans and foreigners place a different value on time. For us time is money.
Tico's live for the pleasure of 'now' and occasionally during the week take the time to exchange a little work for a little money.
We are continually bothered by what we foreigners view as a lack of punctuality on the part of Costa Ricans. Costa Rican's will say, "I'll be there manana", but they usually don't. Often they are not hours late, but days late, with no excuse, no phone calls, no apology.
New resident's who can slow down and adjust to Tico time, have a much better chance of making a success of their new lifestyles. Obtaining residency here usually takes much longer than expected. You need to hire a consultant to get a drivers license. The list of frustrations goes on and on. The bottom line is if you are not able to slow down and adapt to the culture you're probably going to end up back where you came from.
Culture is embedded in the language, and misunderstandings often arise due to the ways in which people of distinct cultures express and understand language content. Europeans and North Americans are very direct. In Costa Rica, the Ticos don't say things up front. It's part of their culture and is considered bad manners. Therefore if you don't understand the culture you get frustrated and some folks become angry and this offends the Ticos. Misinterpretations therefore arise because Costa Ricans view foreigners as “rude” while North Americans find Costa Ricans to be “indirect” or even “dishonest.” Many foreigners feel that they have had to learn to decode what their Costa Rican associates and friends are really trying to say. It is not that Costa Rican's lie more, it is that they are trying to save face. Costa Ricans don't want to disappoint you. If they don't know the answer, they say to themselves 'I don't know but I want to give my best guess.' You have to learn to listen carefully and read between the lines. A simple word like "Ya" can mean "it's already done", "I'm doing it right now", or "I'll get to it soon
We've all faced new challenges in Costa Rica and those of us who have been able to acclimate enjoy the benefits. The country's strong democratic tradition, innovative environmental programs, museums, cultural activities, and cheaper living costs continue to make Costa Rica a popular destination spot, particularly for tourists and retirees.
The option to live a lifestyle similar to that in a large North American city is here if you want it. Check out the selection and pricing in any of the major shopping malls or at the local supermarkets. Most products that are imported here from another country incur duties. These duties are built into the price you pay at the cashier. If you want to live and consume the same products available from overseas, they are available here but not cheap. Perhaps if the new free trade agreement becomes a reality, this will change.
I prefer the old days before there were shopping malls filled with international retailers and Hooters. I don't miss any of what these new franchises have to offer. I patronize typical Costa Rican businesses and my budget is much more affordable.
It's nice to have options and that's a new philosophy I recommend. Plans tie you down. Options offer freedom. You don't irritate someone because you exercised an option. But there are many times when plans did not materialize as expected and someone gets irritated. Keep your options open and your plans to a minimum.
Live like the Tico's, adopt their attitude and adapt to their culture. You'll probably live longer and happier! Pura Vida!
tom@costaricahomebuilder.com
