Ticos Are Naturally FriendIy
Generally Latins are friendly, but in Costa Rica you'll find that the friendliness overflows. Most Costa Ricans are always ready to help and they'll go out of their way to assist you provided you're not too reserved or grouchy. Ask for an address or how to get somewhere and they'll very likely tell you how to get there even though they're not sure. Ticos don't like to say no and most of the times they'll say yes to many requests for which you might expect a no for an answer. It's no secret that they act with great suaveness and don't cut off a person's head, preferring simply to lower the floor under him with gentleness. That's especially seen in government and private offices as well as in politics.
An example of this occurred in November 1868 during the government of President Castro Madriz. It was always a custom for the president, his cabinet members, the top military echelon and the troop to attend 8 o'clock Sunday Mass (Misa de Tropa) in San José's cathedral. As was the custom, after mass the president would stand at the atrium with top hat in hand and say a few words to the public standing below. Then he would receive many compliments. In this case, when Castro Madriz returned home a few hours later, he was told that he no longer was president. The same general, who had been among those that had praised his words at church, had deposed him by taking over the military barracks without firing a shot.
Lowering the floor, however, should not indicate that Ticos are untrustworthy. It's generally a gentle act. No insults are involved and the door for reconciliation is usually left open. Costa Ricans like to settle disputes amicably a la Tica (the Tico way). Ex-president Ricardo Jiménez again showed his sense of psychological practicality when he stated that "enemies should not be treated too harshly as they might become future friends and allies, while friends, should be treated with caution as they might become future enemies." Good at creating some expressions, which in time became popular, Jiménez came up with one which recognized the power and influence of women over men when he remarked that 'two tits pull harder than 100 oxcarts'.
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