If you are white, and especially if you have blond hair, there is very little you can do to not stand out as a foreigner in Costa Rica. However, there are a number of things you can do that will make you seem more Costa Rican and not call attention to the already obvious fact that you aren’t a Tico.

1. When you greet a person, touch your cheek to theirs and kiss the air. Main mistake made by foreigners: actually kissing the cheek. To remember:Men kiss women, women kiss women, but men do not kiss men.
2. At smaller parties and gatherings greet everyone this way and do the same when saying goodbye. Main mistake made by foreigners: Only greeting the host, only greeting friends, and only waving goodbye. To remember: It is considered rude not to individually say hello and goodbye to everyone in the group in this manner.
3. When you arrive at someone’s home, wait for permission to be invited in, even if they are your good friends. Main mistake made by foreigners: Just barging on in. To remember: “Con permiso” is an appropriate way to ask for permission to enter. “Adelante” is an acceptable response. Make sure you use “adelante” with Ticos when they arrive to your home.
4. Pay the “watching man.” This is the man who sits outside and guards the cars when there is parking on the street. Main mistake made by foreigners: Not paying. “I didn’t ask him to watch my car, why should I pay him?” Bad move. These guys remember, and they have friends. To remember: You should tip the equivalent of about 50 cents for stays of longer than a half hour.
5. In business deals, always make good use of small talk. Main mistake made by foreigners: Getting right down to business. To remember: It is appropriate to discuss any neutral topic before going into business negotions. It is expected and considered proper.

Hopefully these tips for fitting in will have you acting a little bit more like a Tico soon, and maybe they will explain why you have been getting so many funny stares since you got here…

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