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When you live in Costa Rica, you’ll hear the word tuanis quite a bit. You’ll hear tuanis used by the younger population, it’s a “cool” word to use. It’s a word that you wouldn’t use in a business meeting or with your doctor unless you grew up together or are drinking buddies. Tuanis is a […]
by Ivo Henfling 
Did you know that a rooster is a very important animal in Costa Rica? Wherever you turn, you’ll hear people talk about the rooster. I’m sure you all know about Gallo Pinto (no, not Pinto Gallo Kathy!) and más Tico que el Gallo Pinto if you follow my weekly blogs. If you’re a good Catholic, you’ll […]
by Ivo Henfling 
You won’t be able to prevent culture shock by learning how to use chaineado, but it is quite a good start. I have not been able to find the proof that chainear comes from the English verb “to shine”. There are some references that in chainear is also used in Chicano, so it makes a […]
by Ivo Henfling 
Some way or other, Ticos are all family. Just like Smith is a very common last name in the U.K. and in the U.S., Rodriguez, and Vargas are the most common last names in Costa Rica. When you marry a Rodriguez, your first born might be number 102,498 of the Rodriguez clan. There is a […]
by Ivo Henfling 
If you’re a nice person, you’ll find yourself obliged to lend money to a friend or employee soon after you arrive in Costa Rica. You know, they are poor, and you are rich. That’s how some will see it. Probably, where you come from, you’re too proud to ask anyone you know for a loan. […]
by Ivo Henfling 
Costa Ricans are proud of calling themselves Ticos and Ticas. The female Costa Ricans are Ticas. The males are Ticos. The general population is Tico. Costa Ricans use the term Tico every day, just like the word Pura Vida. Why is that? Where does it come from? Ticos have the tendency of turning words into […]
by Ivo Henfling 
Those who know me personally, know that wearing flip flops to work is normal to me. Every day. I also wear shorts. But, I do dress up a bit when I have clients who have never met me before. I live in a country where wearing flip flops to work is possible. And, when you go […]
by Ivo Henfling 
When you come from a different country and you want to use hand gestures in Costa Rica, you have to be a bit careful. You might be saying something totally different with your hand gestures than you’re really planning to. You might hurt people with your gestures without even knowing it. There are quite a […]
by Ivo Henfling 
Did you know that Costa Ricans have two last names? When born, children are given first the father’s last name and second goes the mother’s last name. If you come from a non-Latin American country, it’s kind of hard to figure out why Costa Ricans have two last names and what happens when they marry, […]
by Ivo Henfling 
Almost everyone comes late for an appointment in Costa Rica. Is it hard to adjust to that? Yes, it is, unless you make the rules. Doctors, dentists, lawyers and salespeople, few have respect for someone else’s time. They are always late for an appointment. In my opinion, that happens because their patients and clients put […]
by Ivo Henfling