Tico Time

There's something here in Costa Rica that gringos (not always affectionately) refer to as "tico time"....that basically means that Costa Ricans, who proudly refer to themselves as "Ticos", walk to the beat of their own private drummer.  They view appointments and set times as a hopeful goal, but by no means a definite commitment.  It is the Costa Rican version of "fashionably late", but I assure you that fashion has absolutely nothing to do with it.  (Fashion is an extremely rare commodity in third world mentality, at least no fashion you've ever seen).  A minimum of an hour late is pretty much expected and very well tolerated.  Since I've had nine years to ponder Tico Time, I've decided that it has several basic underlying reasons.  First of all the majority of Costa Ricans do not have a car, which means that they are completely dependent on public transportation, or their feet, and propicious weather.  So there is a centuries long tradition of not worrying too much if you can't make it.  And if you do make it, WOW!!!  That's great!  Who cares if you are an hour late or more?? Just getting there is a HUGE accomplishment!  Bus schedules can change at a drop of a hat, buses break down, torrential downpours can come out of nowhere, and there are always the unexpected visitors, that in no way shape or form can be told that you have an appointment or previous engagement.  They must be attended to!  Thus, Tico Time is the norm in Costa Rica.  If you can't make it, no big deal...everyone understands.  TRANQUILO!!!  This was acutally a huge relief for me at first after living in a rat-race gringo culture where everything has to be done yesterday.  With further exposure and mucho more time in the country, it can be trying to the gringo psyche...but you learn to just go with it.  And if you can't beat 'em (which you most certainly can't)...join 'em!!!


My friend's daughter with her chiguagua