There needs to be no doubt, that distinct differences exist between the Societies of Canada and the U.S., and those of Latin American Countries, including Costa Rica. Costa Rican people are warm, friendly and polite people by nature, on a social level.
However, conducting business transactions involves a totally different thought process between people of British based societies, and those of Latin based societies. What most Americans or Canadians would refer to as “common logic” in the thinking process, does not exist in the Latin psyche. Even in the practice of law, many situations arise where the form of a document becomes a greater issue between the parties, than the substance of the document.
On moving to Costa Rica, frustration will reign over the unduly complicated nature of doing what in Canada or the U.S., would be a relatively simple thing to accomplish. Efficiency and time seem to stand still in many cases, with nothing meaningful being accomplished. Corrupt practices by Public Officials is also a significant factor in Latin Society.
People in authority are routinely bribed to exercise their discretion in favor of a particular out-come. Not that this practice is foreign to other jurisdictions, such as the U.S. and Canada, but it is conducted almost with air of impunity in Countries such as Costa Rica.
Another significant difference, is that although Costa Rica is as much a Country of Laws and Regulations, as is the U.S. or Canada, the policy of enforcement and the efficiency of enforcement of Laws and Regulations in Costa Rica, is pursued in a far less aggressive manner. There is a general lack of will to enforce the laws by those in authority.
To contact Attorney Rick Philps about hiring him as your Costa Rican Attorney, please use the following information: Lic. Rick Philps – Attorney at Law, Petersen & Philps, San Jose, Costa Rica Tel: 506-2288-4381, Ext. 102; Email: rphilps@plawcr.com Website: www.plawcr.com
I tend to see the glass half full here instead of half empty. I admire a country like Costa Rica that values freedoms over extremely harsh law enforcement. I abhor what has happened to the United Police States of America … now incarcerating a much higher percentage of it’s citizens than any other country on earth – by far. People should be empowered over laws (especially when they become unjust and overly harsh) and not completely subjugated by them. However, in order to have such freedoms, sometimes you need to endure a bit of nonsensical, but it is totally worth it in the long run. The fact that a public official in Costa Rica is more likely to be swayed to look the other way is not necessarily a bad thing under all circumstances. Live free, Costa Rica!
I don’t think that anyone would argue for “harsh” law enforcement, and few would argue that Costa Rica is a great place to live; however, laws that are only selectively enforced constitute the antithesis of freedom. Society requires just laws with equal enforcement for all. Here, laws are enforced against gringos, but less not against Ticos. The rich here, as is to a lesser degree true everywhere, operate with almost complete impunity. I agree that the US has many unjust laws (especially drug laws that are responsible for a very large part of the prison population), and that the judicial system is clearly biased in favor of those who can afford good lawyers – Ponzi operators who fleece people of their life’s savings get a few years while a poor kid who steals one object of value gets serious time. Costa Rica has a ridiculous number of laws (the legislative assembly’s attitude seems to be that the solution to all problems is to pass a bunch of ill-conceived laws), many unjust (wait until your girlfriend has you thrown out of your own house for several months without your having any hearing on bogus domestic violence charges);. The problem is that only the poor and non-Ticos end up in prisons, and only the ultra-honest or paranoid pay taxes – the wealthy Ticos lie about their income and under-value or hide assets to avoid paying taxes and child support. The answer in all societies is not anarchy, but to have clear and fair laws that are equally enforced for all – a level playing field. Costa Rica needs to scrap most of its laws and enforce those good ones that remain. Life should not be a gamble that you won’t be caught for violating some law that may be excessive – people should know the consequences of their actions. The bottom line is that there should be justice for all.
In writing the article, it wasn’t my intent to criticize the social differences found in Costa Rica, but to merely point-out the societal differences that one may expect to find, coming from Canada, or the U.S. I too, having lived in Costa Rica for over fifteen years, value the increase in freedom that one enjoys by living in Costa Rica, which is largely supported by the societal differences enumerated in the article. The compromise required has been relatively easy to make in the circumstances.