Careful with your compliments in Costa Rica
Costa Rica- make this is a favorite!
1 other person called this a favorite
Invading the lives of our (not well-off) host families, my friends and I were overflowing with gratitude and friendliness. Trying to be nice, I complimented my host mom's shoes, and she asked me which color I wanted them in. "I don't want them for myself," I stammered in Spanish, "I just think they look nice on you." "Do you like them in blue better or white?" she pressed on. "Same thing happened with us!" my friends reported when I told them the story. "We complimented our host cousin's necklace and she took it off right then and there and gave it to us. We felt so bad." Only then did our program leader explain that when you compliment something in Costa Rica, the person feels obligated to give it to you. So find other ways to be nice!
More tips from Jessica Goldkind
- No other tips from this author.
Comments
Posted on 12/08/2009 by
Michelle Saltis
Great tip! I love Costa Rica; the people are so nice, and this is a good tip to remember so one doesn't feel like they are taking advantage of their Costa Rican friends!
Posted on 2/21/2010 by
Phil Hamilton
Thanks for the tip, Jessica. I moved to Costa Rica from the U.S. two years ago and live in a town of about 1,500. My wife and I are the only two "gringos" in or near our town. We love it that way! The local people are so friendly and generous. However, we've never encountered a situation like you describe. What did you say (in Spanish) when you complimented your host mom's shoes? Just wondering if that might have something to do with it. Thanks again for sharing about the culture, which we enjoy so much.
Post a Comment