RANDOM FACTS about CR!
So, of course being in a different country you notice all the cultural differences and some of them are normal and some are not. Today my post is about things I have noticed and thought "if this happened in the states, someone would say something" or just some things I thought were interesting.
1. Ladies, when you greet someone you have to kiss their cheek. Yes, its kind of like you make out with everyone but its very endearing. Gentlemen, greet ladies with a kiss but greet your manly friends with a nice firm handshake and maybe a pat on the back.
2. Its common for family members to latch arms or walk with arms around each other. When we went school shopping the other day for my little sister, my mama tica latched on to me and rubbed my back the whole time. It was like we were best friends and we had known each other forever.
3. Ladies, you may have to wash your own underwear in Costa Rica. Luckily, I do not but do not be offended if your mom asks you to wash your own intimates.
4. Men (the dirty ones) will whistle or yell (what they think is) endearing words to women walking on the streets. Women ignore it because they don't think it is endearing and would much rather that the men keep their eyes on the road.
5. Men wear purses. Not often, but you will see a man wearing what I like to call a "murse" walking down the street. It doesn't mean their gay it just means they didnt want to wear their back pack today.
6. Tico Time, this is a big one. Luckily, our program tries to avoid it, but it is unavoidable in the real world. If someone says they are going to be there at 6, don't expect them until about 6:15 or later.
7. Bus rides, on those lucky days you take the bus you will notice that it may take you a little bit longer to get somewhere because the bus stops every 100 meters (yes, i just used meters because thats what they use here)
8. Music, I thought that when I left the states I was leaving Ke$ha behind. No ma'am, in my Dance class the other day that was supposed to be Latin American Dance turned into doing a hip hop dance to Ke$ha. I must say CR is influenced greatly by the US so I have heard maaaaaaany poeple jammin' to hilariously old music from the states (like Green Day "American Idiot" and today, about 5 mins ago this girls phone rang and it was Shania Twain's "Man, I feel like a woman)
9. Clothing, okay, so when I thought I'm going to CR I instantly thought shorts and tank tops right? I mean that is a legitamate thought right? well, no, all of us US people stand out like sore thumbs because it could be 85 degrees and the ticos are still going to be wearing jeans. They will wear dress, skirts and tank tops occasionally but the majority of their wardrobe are jeans. Oh, and apparently colored pants haven't gone out of style here because many people are still wearing them.
10. Last and def. not least, some of the names you may be called but do not feel offended "gordita" which pretty much means my little fatty, "mi amor" yes, even old creepy guys have the right to call you their LOVE, oh and they pretty much will shorten any name you can think of, my host brother is named Juan Carlos and they call him Juank (pronounced wonk) often times, I get called "Lins" or "Li" but finally "doña" is pretty much is the highest form of respect and you'd use it with like the queen of spain but hey, I think I'm pretty equal with the queen of spain!
So, here are just 10 of the things I've noticed. I'll definently keep noticing others and fill you in. Hope you enjoy!
1. Ladies, when you greet someone you have to kiss their cheek. Yes, its kind of like you make out with everyone but its very endearing. Gentlemen, greet ladies with a kiss but greet your manly friends with a nice firm handshake and maybe a pat on the back.
2. Its common for family members to latch arms or walk with arms around each other. When we went school shopping the other day for my little sister, my mama tica latched on to me and rubbed my back the whole time. It was like we were best friends and we had known each other forever.
3. Ladies, you may have to wash your own underwear in Costa Rica. Luckily, I do not but do not be offended if your mom asks you to wash your own intimates.
4. Men (the dirty ones) will whistle or yell (what they think is) endearing words to women walking on the streets. Women ignore it because they don't think it is endearing and would much rather that the men keep their eyes on the road.
5. Men wear purses. Not often, but you will see a man wearing what I like to call a "murse" walking down the street. It doesn't mean their gay it just means they didnt want to wear their back pack today.
6. Tico Time, this is a big one. Luckily, our program tries to avoid it, but it is unavoidable in the real world. If someone says they are going to be there at 6, don't expect them until about 6:15 or later.
7. Bus rides, on those lucky days you take the bus you will notice that it may take you a little bit longer to get somewhere because the bus stops every 100 meters (yes, i just used meters because thats what they use here)
8. Music, I thought that when I left the states I was leaving Ke$ha behind. No ma'am, in my Dance class the other day that was supposed to be Latin American Dance turned into doing a hip hop dance to Ke$ha. I must say CR is influenced greatly by the US so I have heard maaaaaaany poeple jammin' to hilariously old music from the states (like Green Day "American Idiot" and today, about 5 mins ago this girls phone rang and it was Shania Twain's "Man, I feel like a woman)
9. Clothing, okay, so when I thought I'm going to CR I instantly thought shorts and tank tops right? I mean that is a legitamate thought right? well, no, all of us US people stand out like sore thumbs because it could be 85 degrees and the ticos are still going to be wearing jeans. They will wear dress, skirts and tank tops occasionally but the majority of their wardrobe are jeans. Oh, and apparently colored pants haven't gone out of style here because many people are still wearing them.
10. Last and def. not least, some of the names you may be called but do not feel offended "gordita" which pretty much means my little fatty, "mi amor" yes, even old creepy guys have the right to call you their LOVE, oh and they pretty much will shorten any name you can think of, my host brother is named Juan Carlos and they call him Juank (pronounced wonk) often times, I get called "Lins" or "Li" but finally "doña" is pretty much is the highest form of respect and you'd use it with like the queen of spain but hey, I think I'm pretty equal with the queen of spain!
So, here are just 10 of the things I've noticed. I'll definently keep noticing others and fill you in. Hope you enjoy!
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