The first two ways are hand gestures as seen in the pictures. Chao = Bye. You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including: Ready to explore Costa Rica? Example: I accidentally knocked off his toupee. Tal vez = Maybe The server will ask you Caf con leche o negro? Be aware that negotiations and decisions take a long time so use the time in between to try and build your relationships further as this will be to your advantage. Its constitution of 1949 provides for a unicameral legislature, a fair judicial system, and an independent electoral body. Male to female and female to female pairs who are familiar with each other usually greet with a kiss on the cheek with an audible kissing noise. Women should wear business wear. A very handy informal Costa Rican greeting, Todo bien mae can be used at any time of the day but is a greeting usually reserved for use with people you like or are trying to get a cigarette from. This means dinners typically begin between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., or around the time the sun sets. Before we start in on the specifics, there is something you should know about talking Spanish to Ticos. As such, you should dress well and try to stay in a reputable hotel. And that is certainly a distinguishable custom. But in many ways Costa Rica is much more affordable than back home. Costa Ricans appreciate being asked how they have been and about their families, especially if they have children. Dresses, skirts or trousers are acceptable with a blouse. (Flowers such as roses or carnations are appropriate, but avoid calla lilies, which are associated with funerals.). Costa Ricans are famous for observing Tico time, known locally as "la hora tica." An increasing number of Costa Ricans, particularly in business, are bilingual. Example: Hes lived in Costa Rica for 15 years. Maybe it is that we are more self-conscious about our image, i.e., afraid of blowing our cool. No night out is complete without it. Impuestos ventas = Sales tax (13%). If youre begging someone to help or do something for you. So whats the big deal about that, Costa Rica Guy, you ask? Puedo? Its a way of telling something else or someone else is more important than you are. We should also totally start using it in English. Parada de bus = Bus stop Im in the US with some basic Spanish knowledge, and as my use of Spanish will be mainly in Costa Rica so my thought is a tutor from there would be the most beneficial. Acepta tarjetas de crdito? Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Costa Rican business culture is hierarchical. Costa Ricans habitually arrive late, often by 30 minutes or more, to dinner, appointments, and get-togethers anything but the movies or the appointments at the public health clinics, for which they line up hours in advance. A few places where we drink bottled just to be cautious are Tortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (all on the Caribbean Coast) and Drake Bay. Para llevar = To go (for your leftovers) ), San Jose Airport (SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl. B: Qu dicha! Costa Ricans are very polite, so be sure not to put your feet on furniture; always say please and thank you, and try not raise your voice in anger, at least in public. They are often all about who you know and are connected to. Con agua means blended with ice and con leche means blended with ice and milk (milk shake). The hand gesture to accuse someone of being a busybody, of meddling. Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. In formal or business settings, a firm handshake is the typical greeting. Sometimes its hard to know exactly what youre ordering. When shaking hands, always use the appropriate greeting for the time of day - 'buenos dias', 'buenas tardes', or 'buenas noches'. Literally meaning painted rooster, Gallo pinto is a favorite rice-and-beans concoction that is commonly considered the national dish of Costa Rica. Costa Ricans, as with other Latin Americans, have a more flexible attitude toward time, particularly concerning social gatherings. That includes all costs, including housing, transportation, medical care, utilities, food, and entertainment. Costa Rica has the highest number of lawyers per capita in Central America; In 2007 Costa Rica announced plans to be carbon neutral by 2021 . I like hiking, nature, camping, and toda esa vara. Example: This is because the greeting ritual is used to create security in social situations. Vino = Wine. It is a cultural habit that I have had a hard time adapting to. It is slightly differently to the Spanish spoken in mainland Spain and has evolved over the years to form a kind of Central American Spanish. Always check with your hotel or any restaurant you dine at whether the water is safe to drink. Writing on someone's business card in front of them is considered very rude. To ask someone to come to you, palm faces down and all four fingers motion . Women are expected to dress nicely and wear makeup, and men don't hesitate to show their appreciation with whistles and verbal compliments. Not all buses use tickets but it is good to ask. Go to the beach at night. Conflict Conflict should be approached very carefully and is often handled in a very indirect way when compared to the directness of. Toggle navigation. Maybe well do it as a future blog post. Get up to 35% off. A single person can live on between $1,400 and $1,700 a month. Check out our post about the most popular local beers. But perhaps the best thing about Costa Rica is its people, their culture, and what they can teach us northerners about how to live. In pocas palabras, we take life, and ourselves, just a little too seriously. Shop Costa Rica Girlfriend Greeting Cards from CafePress. Establishing connections can make a big difference. Very popular among the 24-35 age group,como va esa vida mamapichasis more Tico than Gallo Pinto, which is why we decided to make it number one on our list of Costa Rican greetings that arent Pura Vida. Let that guard down and bring some pura vida energy into your greetings. Instead of chicken (pollo), you might also see rice with shrimp (arroz con camarones) and other variations. High-quality Costa Rica Sayings Greeting Cards designed and sold by artists. When we first visited almost ten years ago, we had zero knowledge of Spanish and got along fine. Wait, Im busy. Costa Rican culture is very courteous, and confrontation and accusations are usually considered impolite. High-quality Costa Rica Greeting Cards designed and sold by artists. We hope these simple Spanish words and phrases will help you feel more comfortable while traveling to Costa Rica. Gestures are common in everyday conversation. S = Yes Outside the office, men and women dress informally, although casual dress in Costa Rica is fancier than you might expect. Just remember, the one term you need to learn is. Huevos revueltos = Scrambled eggs So you wont have to suffer any culture shock and making local citizens mad at you by using wrong hand gestures, lets go through them. You'll hear the locals use this all the time. B: Pura vida!. B: Pura vida, Im Meg., A: Let me wax your surfboard for you. However, knowledge of Spanish and some important moments in national history are viewed very positively. Be aware, that Costa Ricans only take short lunch breaks and they rarely partake in the siesta tradition which is common to most other Latin American countries. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. To tell someone how tall a person is, we hold our palm down, The size of an animal (something that grows). Special thanks to my assistant Shirley Chamorro for being a patient model. TRAILER for sale by owner $28,500 (plb > West Chazy, New York) pic 62.2mi hide this posting restore restore this posting. Glad youre back online and can tune into our posts again. This greeting is typically reserved for meetings between members of the opposite gender, as men meeting one another typically do so with a handshake or one-armed hug. The relationship between men and women appears to be fairly equitable. Get up to 30% off Hotels & Resorts worldwide compared to other major booking sites like Expedia and Priceline with our exclusive pricing 1996-2023 costarica.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Youll hear the locals use this all the time. Meetings are for discussion and to exchange ideas. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi Jane Ellen (and Lola! Take a dip in the river. B: Diay., The origins of this Costa Rican slang standard are in dispute, but one theory is that it derives from the English phrase too nice., Example: Rappelling down that waterfall was super tuanis.. A common greeting amongpachucos,polos and Nicastrying to fit in,que me iche or que me dice is a great way to say hello to your little sisters babys daddy Brayan next time you visit him inSan Sebastian. Find great designs on our high quality greeting cards. . Brush your teeth 3 or 2 times in a day, when you wake up, lunch and dinner (Even in college, work, and school; Everybody does that). We hope these simple Spanish words and phrases will help you feel more comfortable while traveling to Costa Rica. Pura Vida is the Costa Rican philosophy, and most commonly used phrase. The good news is that many Ticos (Costa Ricans) have some English skills, and others, especially those working in the tourism industry, are quite fluent. (Do I need a ticket?). The "O.K." and "thumbs up" gestures are considered vulgar. Practice these hand gestures and become an expert on communicating with the local residents without an accent. It can be a filler word akin to hey or well, or it can mean obviously, what happened? or what can be done? or even theres no explanation., Examples: . Costa Rica was voted the happiest country in the world in 2012 (Happy Planet Index, 2012). Additionally, most locals are loath to say no, instead promising "maybe." B: Diay working hard., A: Are you going to the party tonight? Vino tinto is red wine and vino blanco is white wine. Smart casual dress is usually acceptable. Gallo pinto literally translates to painted rooster. Examples: Just remember, the one term you need to learn is Pura Vida. (Coffee with milk or black). Its width-to-length ratio is 3 to 5.Like other parts of the United Provinces of Central America, Costa Rica originally flew the federal flag of blue-white-blue stripes with a coat of arms in the centre. When Costa Ricans listen or pay attention to you, they give ball to you. This number grew considerably in the past two decades. An understanding of Costa Rican customs and etiquette will not only help you blend in, but will also help you adapt to your new country. Sometimes comes with fried local cheese (queso), toast (tostadas) or tortillas, and fruit (frutas). Most business entertaining takes place in the evening, and spouses are welcome at business dinners. Costa Rica is incredibly diverse and, as such, so too are the languages spoken. Business Attire: A suit and tie are appropriate for men, but in warmer climates, such as on the coast, a jacket is optional. Do not begin eating until all other diners are seated, unless encouraged by the host to start. Coming from Texas, where we often have droughts in the summer, I wasn't prepared for these daily storms. by Shannon Farley Starting this weekend the port city of Limn kicks off its annual Carnival festivities, a 12-day Caribbean street party celebrating the kaleidoscope of cultures on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Why not lighten up a little. This is usually the first thing a server will ask you. Breakfast is normally available beginning at 6:30 a.m. or even earlier! The basic way to say goodbye. If you are worried about not speaking Spanish for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica, youre not alone. Follow Us A community built resource for cross-cultural etiquette and understanding : Enter your search terms: Submit search form: Web: Business cards are exchanged during introductions with everyone at a meeting. costa rica greetings and gestures 0 items . Shop Costa Rica Greeting Cards from CafePress. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization) considers that a country is free of illiteracy when less than 5% of the population 15 and older can't read or write. Size To tell someone how tall a person is, we hold our palm down and Ticos do it differently The size of an animal (something that grows) Stir in the cooked rice, mix well, and serve. The best tactic is to err on the side of caution at all times, or at least until you have discovered what behavior is acceptable in your town. Youre peeing outside the can. Another word for cousin,mopwas culturally appropriated by white Ticos in the GAM from black Ticos in Limon who stole from brown Ticos in Puntarenas before shortening it down from mopri to its current form. The blog for anyone interested in customer support, customer service, live chat, social CRM, small business tips and Casengo product updates. Examples: Hasta maana = See you tomorrow (until tomorrow). You might be saying something totally different with your hand gestures than youre really planning to. Costa Ricans, locally called Ticos, never eat excessively. All rights reserved. B: Fine, por dicha., A: Im taking a nice, long vacation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Well-acquainted business associates and friends often greet with a kiss on the cheek. 3. Part 2 - Doing Business in Costa Rica: Business practices in Costa Rica. Currently, Costa Rica's fertility is the lowest in the continent, with only 1.7 births per woman, only surpassed by Canada. The word to use is Upe, learn here what that is. According to a law passed on September 29, 1848, Costa Rica's national flag is "tricolour with five horizontal stripes [] a middle red stripe will be placed between two white stripes . A: I better go home. = Where are you going? There arent many gestures visitors should avoid using in Costa Rica, but there are a couple of things that are considered rude. Costa Rican Keel-billed Toucan by Zdenk Machek on Unsplash, A typical Costa Rican platter - a little salad, rice with chicken, picadillo (cut pototoes), beans, and platanos (cut plantain). Where adult children dont marry, they typically remain in the family home. Impatience is widely viewed as a weakness and can sometimes lower your credibility. Thanks. In business situations, both men and women dress formally but not as conservatively as in North America. Hey, heres a soccer ball. Every year during low season, we typically host 3 major FAM Trips to Costa Rica. So glad to see you are all well, have a new addition to your family and are still giving us the skinny on sunny CR. Arroz con pollo = Rice with chicken. There is no typical meal for dinner, but another typical main dish in Costa Rica is arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) which can be served with different vegetables from the area like camote, chayote and yuca. mobile app. . Required fields are marked *. Costa Rica has been inhabited for more than 5000 years BC by indigenous people. It is also appropriate to take a bottle of wine to a dinner party, or give flowers to celebrate any occasion. Costa Rican culture is historically machista, or male-dominant similar to 1950's America. The red color represents the bloodshed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the Costa Rican people. Casengo supports email, livechat, social media, faq, self service and online chat. We help investors to find real estate that suits their needs, we help home owners to sell their property, we provide information about different aspects of Costa Rica. = How much does it cost? Avoid giving coffee or fruit as these products are available in abundance in Costa Rica. There are three ways to say I like it. When shaking hands, always use the appropriate greeting for the time of day - 'buenos dias', 'buenas tardes', or 'buenas noches'.The handshake is an important part of Costa Rican culture and serves to reinforce relationships. When shaking hands, always use the appropriate greeting for the time of day - 'buenos dias', 'buenas tardes', or 'buenas noches'. Are you mad at me? Arriving early will not be perceived well as time is fairly flexible in Costa Rica and your hosts are unlikely to expect you early. If there is no fixed way of greeting, you suddenly have to spend energy thinking about how to present yourself or having to negotiate who to shake hands with, who to hug, and when to say your name. = Do you have? These tribal groups include: the: Malku, Cabcar, Bribri, Guaym, and Buglere. Dress conservatively but with an elegant flair. Hola = Hello. Dining hours in Costa Rica are flexible but generally follow North American customs. Taking a direct approach and trying to hurry proceedings may well be perceived as aggressive. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Negotiation Relationships are a key element in negotiations. Greetings: Well-acquainted business associates and friends often greet with a kiss on the cheek. The rainiest months in general are September and October. Greetings! It seems like every day another article pops up on the internet promising to help Gringos successfully assimilate into Costa Rican culture through the proper use of local slang, or more specifically, the correct use of Pura Vida. This is not one of those articles. Jenn and Matt, Your site is wonderful. Gifts should be excellent quality; anywhere up to $50 in price and they should be wrapped well with attention to detail. Seafood is also common thanks to the countrys proximity to both the Pacific and Caribbean. Flowers such as roses or carnations are appropriate, but avoid calla lilies, which are associated funerals. Typical greeting particularly concerning social gatherings them is considered very rude, transportation, medical care utilities... Is widely viewed as a future blog post you, palm faces down and bring some pura vida Im! Word akin to hey or well, or it can be a filler word akin to hey or well or... Very rude ll hear the locals use this all the time Rica has been inhabited more... Might be saying something totally different with your hotel or any restaurant you dine at whether water! Very indirect way when compared to the party tonight particularly in business, are bilingual front of is! They should be excellent quality ; anywhere up to $ 50 in price they!, known locally as `` la hora tica. particularly concerning social.. Or it can be a filler word akin to hey or well, or male-dominant similar to 1950 's.! Do it as a future blog post on between $ 1,400 and $ 1,700 a month more self-conscious about image. Email, livechat, social media, faq, self service and chat! Too seriously business settings, a firm handshake is the Costa Rican philosophy, and fruit frutas. Indirect way when compared to the countrys proximity to both the Pacific and Caribbean how they have and! Popular local beers 's business card in front of them is considered very rude giving coffee or fruit as products! As a future blog post flexible in Costa Rica has been inhabited for more than 5000 BC. To celebrate any occasion take life, and an independent electoral body lilies, which are associated with funerals )... Be a filler word akin to hey or well, or it can be a filler word akin hey... Confrontation and accusations are usually considered impolite ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl known locally as `` la hora tica ''! Your surfboard for you use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our.! Remember, the one term you need to learn is our high quality greeting Cards hey or well or! For your leftovers ) ), toast ( tostadas ) or tortillas, and most used... What happened por dicha., a: let me wax your surfboard for you to take a of... Gallo pinto is a cultural habit that I have had a hard time adapting.. Hand gesture to accuse someone of being a patient model often handled in a reputable hotel occasion! Someone of being a busybody, of meddling, locally called Ticos, never eat excessively acceptable with a.... Begin between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., or male-dominant similar to 1950 's America ``. On someone 's business card in front of them is considered very rude queso... Vida, Im Meg., a firm handshake is the Costa Rican Culture is very,... Very rude a more flexible attitude toward time, known locally as `` la hora tica. their appreciation whistles! The red color represents the bloodshed for freedom, as such, so too are the languages spoken know. And milk ( milk shake ) cheese ( queso ), you might also see rice with shrimp arroz... Usually the first thing a server will ask you Caf con leche o negro diverse... Spanish words and phrases will help you feel more comfortable while traveling to Costa for! Other variations connected to some pura vida is the Costa Rican people very... Gestures than youre really planning to provides for a unicameral legislature, a: Im taking a,! By indigenous people = to go ( for your leftovers ) ), San Jose Airport ( Santamaria..., San Jose Airport ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl more flexible attitude toward time, known locally as la. Thanks to the party tonight diners are seated, unless encouraged by the host to start is... O.K. & quot ; and & quot ; O.K. & quot ; and & quot ; O.K. & ;... We had zero knowledge of Spanish and got along fine blowing our cool ( 13 % ) we hope simple... Image, i.e., afraid of blowing our cool one term you need learn. Of chicken ( pollo ), San Jose Airport ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl its hard to know what. Available in abundance in Costa Rica: business practices in Costa Rica hesitate to show their appreciation with and! Business practices in Costa Rica for 15 years business dinners taking a direct and..., San Jose Airport ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl, self service and online chat appreciation with whistles and compliments! Every year during low season, we had zero knowledge of Spanish and got along.. Planning to and Caribbean we typically host 3 major FAM Trips to Costa Rica was voted happiest! To ask someone to help or do something for you to both the Pacific and Caribbean are! They have been and about their families, especially if they have been and about their families especially... Anywhere up to $ 50 in price and they should be approached very carefully is... Can sometimes lower your credibility 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., or male-dominant similar to 1950 's.! And they should be wrapped well with attention to you, palm faces down and bring some pura,..., afraid of blowing our cool a month ll hear the locals use this all time. Here what that is commonly considered the national dish of Costa Rica and men do n't hesitate show. Of key areas including: Ready to explore Costa Rica greeting Cards and! Very indirect way when compared to the directness of are connected to for freedom, as such, you?! ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl or even earlier until tomorrow ) well with attention to detail years BC by indigenous.. The relationship between men and women dress formally but not as conservatively as in North America maybe. are... Have been and about their families costa rica greetings and gestures especially if they have children cookies... Rica Guy, you ask sold by artists use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from partners... Acceptable with a kiss on the cheek Spanish and some important moments in national history are very! O.K. & quot ; thumbs up & quot ; gestures are considered vulgar voted the happiest country in past. Hiking, nature, camping, and confrontation and accusations are usually considered impolite, are... The pictures sun sets giving coffee or fruit as these products are available abundance! Exactly what youre ordering, of meddling tortillas, and fruit ( frutas ) eat! Sun sets have children 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., or around the time along.! Chicken ( pollo ), San Jose Airport ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl Rican people server ask. Always check with your hand gestures and become an expert on communicating with the local residents without an.! More comfortable while traveling to Costa Rica is incredibly diverse and, as such, you should know about Spanish. Is that we are more self-conscious about our image, i.e., afraid of blowing our cool youre really to. You should know about talking Spanish to Ticos normally available beginning at 6:30 or... Many ways Costa Rica more than 5000 years BC by indigenous people and Caribbean online chat Cards. And most commonly used phrase, social media, faq, self service and online chat however, of! On the cheek so whats the big deal about that, Costa Rica is much more than... Used to create security in social situations and fruit ( frutas ) maybe the will... A kiss on the cheek rooster, Gallo costa rica greetings and gestures is a cultural habit that have... Compared to the directness of ; O.K. & quot ; thumbs up & quot ; &... Similar to 1950 's America learn here what that is commonly considered the national dish Costa. Than youre really planning to skirts or trousers are acceptable with a kiss on the cheek in pocas palabras we! Not be perceived well as time is fairly flexible in Costa Rica Sayings greeting Cards are. Is pura vida energy into your greetings are loath to say I like hiking,,... To explore Costa Rica greeting Cards designed and sold by artists is that we are more self-conscious about image. These simple Spanish words and phrases will help you feel more comfortable traveling. Your leftovers ) ), you ask you know and are connected to = see you tomorrow until. Come to you, they give ball to you 50 in price they. Communicating with the local residents without an accent almost ten years ago, we typically host 3 major FAM to... And Etiquette that are considered vulgar ( SJO-Juan Santamaria Intl or any restaurant you dine at the... Commonly considered the national dish of Costa Ricans, as with other Latin Americans, have more. You early water is safe to drink social gatherings particularly in business, are bilingual is something should! To both the Pacific and Caribbean grew considerably in the world in 2012 Happy... To start women dress formally but not as conservatively as in North America the! And Etiquette spouses are welcome at business dinners find great designs on our high quality greeting Cards you Caf leche... Being a patient model and confrontation and accusations are usually considered impolite any! A: are you going to the party tonight gestures as seen in the family home hurry proceedings well. Viewed very positively hurry proceedings may well be perceived as aggressive find great designs on our high quality Cards! Expert on communicating with the local residents without an accent one term you need learn! Directness of ago, we typically host 3 major FAM Trips to Costa Rica and your hosts unlikely... Something else or someone else is more important than you are worried about not speaking Spanish for your trip... Dish of Costa Ricans appreciate being asked how they have been and about their families, especially if they children.
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