Merriam-Tico's - Dictionary
Tico-time , \ Tee-ko - time \ , noun, adj. ;
1. Costa Rican time.
Ex. ...an appointment set in Costa Rica for a particular time is only an approximation of said time, typically within - plus / minus - two hours.
2. of, pertaining to, or showing the passage of much time in reference to the tardiness of another
3. duration in terms of how long one might expect to arrive
Ex. ...1st Mae- "How long till they're here Mae?" 2nd Mae- "Tico-Time Mae. No Say...? Maybe, he already came!?"
The past twelve years of visiting and living in Costa Rica have made it abundantly clear that finding any location I want to go to, will inevitably take longer than anticipated. The daunting task of following directions without address numbers or street names can make every direction a puzzle in its own. Addresses like, “150 meters East of the grocery store, 75 meters North, the small white house with a little-tree and blue-gate,” can really test a Tico’s nerves, much less foreigners.
1. Costa Rican time.
Ex. ...an appointment set in Costa Rica for a particular time is only an approximation of said time, typically within - plus / minus - two hours.
2. of, pertaining to, or showing the passage of much time in reference to the tardiness of another
3. duration in terms of how long one might expect to arrive
Ex. ...1st Mae- "How long till they're here Mae?" 2nd Mae- "Tico-Time Mae. No Say...? Maybe, he already came!?"
The past twelve years of visiting and living in Costa Rica have made it abundantly clear that finding any location I want to go to, will inevitably take longer than anticipated. The daunting task of following directions without address numbers or street names can make every direction a puzzle in its own. Addresses like, “150 meters East of the grocery store, 75 meters North, the small white house with a little-tree and blue-gate,” can really test a Tico’s nerves, much less foreigners.
My first visit to Costa Rica for the most part, was by my Uncles side. He had a very good understanding of the country. I was just along for the ride. My first time feeling adventurous wondering the city alone was a real. peachy. treat.
I remember searching for an ‘armoria’ or armory. I wanted to pick up a telescoping baton and pepper spray for self protection, as I found sketchiness can be readily present here.
I followed suit asking directions from a ‘machisto’ type middle-aged man. His dress was of the “Partridge Family” era. With his tight pants, half-unbuttoned-plad-shirt and chest all over the place… he reminded me of a hat-less latino cowboy. I’ll admit, he wouldn’t have been my first pick of the liter, but he seemed nice enough. He was very excited when he spoke... maybe he was high, but either way, he seemed accommodating. “300 meters that way, and 100 meters to the left… then ask over there!” he exclaimed in Spanish. I told him thanks and proceeded the near half kilometer. Once I made my mark, I asked another man of similar type the whereabouts. I swear he told me the EXACT. same. thing. He also pointed in the direction I came from!
At this point, I’m rubbing my chin thinking, “Hmm, I thought I was near before… that first guy must have been lying.”
So, I thanked him and returned to my prior intersection. Once I was there, an old man told me to just keep walking the way I was going, and it would reveal itself. No joke, this guy got me even FURTHER from the armoria. Finally, I asked a middle aged woman and she gave me accurate directions.
This ‘anomaly’ happens more often than one might think. I’ve heard the same spiel dozens of times. And, more often than not, from a middle aged man. I can empathize though… Could you imagine how many tourists have asked them directions before? It must get old, especially when many tourists don’t speak decent Spanish. |
Yesterday I was searching for ‘Asembis’ in Guadalupe, a popular cheap Doctors office. I knew it was close, as the nice lady it the pharmacy on the corner told me so.
So it happens, Asembis sits back off the sidewalk maybe twenty five feet or so. The store preceding it from my perspective, was situated directly against the sidewalk blocking its view. A middle aged man stood in the doorway, so I asked him about my destination. He instructed me to turn around and at the first corner turn right. Then walk 300 meters, then hang a left. For some reason I didn’t think twice of it. Maybe because he left out the, left and '100 meters’, part. I proceeded in the direction as he instructed. Half way it hit me. “That Sly Dog!” I made my way back and passed his store reminding myself that the lady in the pharmacy had to have gotten it right the first time. And low and behold it was the next shop over.
I’ve learned to take these nuances with a grain of salt. Situations like these have become something to look back and laugh about.
Whenever the need for directions arise. I prefer asking respectable-dressed middle-aged women if at all possible. They usually are very kind, patient and take care to explain the best details. Professional people in general seem to be a good pick as well. If I’m forced to ask a man for directions I try to pick clean-cut, working-class guys or people who have a kind demeanor in general.
The safest bet is to ask three consecutive peoples opinions for the directions no matter what they look like, then compare and contrast.
So it happens, Asembis sits back off the sidewalk maybe twenty five feet or so. The store preceding it from my perspective, was situated directly against the sidewalk blocking its view. A middle aged man stood in the doorway, so I asked him about my destination. He instructed me to turn around and at the first corner turn right. Then walk 300 meters, then hang a left. For some reason I didn’t think twice of it. Maybe because he left out the, left and '100 meters’, part. I proceeded in the direction as he instructed. Half way it hit me. “That Sly Dog!” I made my way back and passed his store reminding myself that the lady in the pharmacy had to have gotten it right the first time. And low and behold it was the next shop over.
I’ve learned to take these nuances with a grain of salt. Situations like these have become something to look back and laugh about.
Whenever the need for directions arise. I prefer asking respectable-dressed middle-aged women if at all possible. They usually are very kind, patient and take care to explain the best details. Professional people in general seem to be a good pick as well. If I’m forced to ask a man for directions I try to pick clean-cut, working-class guys or people who have a kind demeanor in general.
The safest bet is to ask three consecutive peoples opinions for the directions no matter what they look like, then compare and contrast.
For the most part, after time things become more familiar as one might expect. Nonetheless, traveling in foreign countries will take getting used to. Supplementing your journey with a satellite GPS device such as the Garmin Dezl 760LMT coupled with these handy Costa Rican map downloads make the journey easier, and in turn, |
more enjoyable. These maps can be downloaded for a fee here. They also come with an extra updated map download for future map feature inclusions.
http://www.gpstravelmaps.com/gps-maps/central-america/costa-rica.php
Word of mouth would have it, supposedly... Costa Rica plans on installing street signs within the foreseeable future, there are a few outdated articles floating around on the subject.
I wonder how things will change… will things still be the same? Tico-time, perhaps, may become a thing of the past.
…YEA RIGHT!!!
By: Jay Asquith
http://www.gpstravelmaps.com/gps-maps/central-america/costa-rica.php
Word of mouth would have it, supposedly... Costa Rica plans on installing street signs within the foreseeable future, there are a few outdated articles floating around on the subject.
I wonder how things will change… will things still be the same? Tico-time, perhaps, may become a thing of the past.
…YEA RIGHT!!!
By: Jay Asquith
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