Many of the Costa Rican people have nothing. The weather is in their favor, as it is never cold enough to take your life, and it really never gets hot enough to take your breath away.
These people are of a very strong nature. The "recession" is nothing new to them. They have been living on a minimum wage of $2.25 per hour for the past decade. Their main food is a combination of beans and rice, and any vegetables or meat is an unexpectable treat. Any desserts are made from fruits, or even possibly a dairy product that might have been received from a neighbor.
These people share, and they share without any discrimination. There is no limit of what they will take from themselves, even if they have very little, and give it to another in need. They have been in a recession for as long as they know.
The U.S. people are just not use to this "poverish" state of living. Most will receive an unemployment check, or a welfare check, and run to a McDonald's. Their possible next step would be to go to the local store with this money or possible food stamps, and purchase steaks, or ground beef, chicken, and probably frozen vegetables for easy preparation.
This is all very unlike the people of Costa Rica. I cannot say that this lifestyle runs throughout the entire country, as the areas immediate of San Jose, its capital, thwart much money, that is in a way very different to probably the other 80% of the true "Tico".
I am not sure of what the "Tico" people think of San Jose. As the "Tico" will wait patiently for health care through what is called the "Social Seguro", and greet each other with "Buenos Dias, Pura Vida," I wonder if they close their mind and eyes to the "lewd and promiscuous" ways of the clubs, brothels, and casinos that are there for the tourist, and is out to put his money in the pockets of only the "more wealthy" Costa Rican, who will NOT share it with his common man. He WILL cover up most of his cash, as it is easy to do here for the reasons of not having an up to date computerized taxing or income set-up.
80% of this population depends on its brotherhood. Every piece of small work that is given to a "Tico" is highly valued and receives gratitude.
I am sorry to say that the U.S. never write their government a thank you, for setting them up with an income that was saved over the years, due to past employment of high paying jobs.
They know not how to respect each morsel of food. They have yet to find themselves to reach a poverty level, unless their money is taken and foolishly spent on alchohol or drugs. Then we find them in the gutter, begging, and when given money, it only feeds their habit.
So what is the true recession? I am sure many 3rd world countries live by the same means, and some even less.
Is it only the "wealthy" that are calling this a "recession" due to losing several million dollars or even several hundreds or thousands, of which they had purchased their "Ferrari" with.
There is the "middle income" individual of the U.S., that is feeling this recession, but still has their automobile, color T.V., and even the comfort of hot water, of which many Ticos live without throughout their entire life. The only way that a Tico may acquire any of these extras is a long 16 hour day job, 7 days a week, or have a farm of which a product is made, i.e. cheese, milk, poultry, eggs, and sell them to local stores, or even neighbors. There is much trading that is done in this same way, but there is much giving when the need is there -- especially amongst the family!
Those who have the least to lose know not of what the others feel!
Those who have had it all are now feeling the pain and the depression of this recession, and do not have the slightest idea of what others have lived a lifetime of.
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