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Urinating in Public

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NothingButNet
  2/7/2016 14:39 EST

I have noticed quite a few instances of men relieving themselves in broad daylight against walls, underpasses, fences, and cars. In every case, it was during daylight hours and in full view of busy traffic. One of my Tica relatives said that urinating in public is not unlawful in Costa Rica. Another Tico friend just laughed at my question. Is this a socially acceptable form of behavior here? I've been here six months and I don't seem to detect much local disgust or outrage over this habit.

Kohl
  2/7/2016 15:44 EST

Obviously it isn't 'socially acceptable' to you but I don't understand why you would bring this to the attention of forum members?

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carolvaughn
  2/7/2016 15:55 EST

You're not in Kansas City anymore,
Toto....

shermanwc
  2/7/2016 17:07 EST

When we visited Europe in the late 70's, it was not uncommon to see men relieving themselves in alleyways. Once, my wife saw a woman in an alleyway with her dress hiked up! Public restrooms are not common here.

TICR
  2/7/2016 17:54 EST

I see it all of the time, especially taxi drivers. An investigator for the OIJ, son of a judge, just got fired for visiting a brothel in his öfficial car and he was caught by fellow officers. Ramirez, 46, was caught on May 6, 2015 at a brothel next to Taco Bell in Alajuela during a sexual exploitation investigation by the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) in Alajuela. Although the official’s presence in the brothel was not the problem, the fact that he used an official government vehicle to make the visit got him fired. Go figure!

bluewind
  2/8/2016 10:12 EST

Maybe because some people considering moving to CR might find this cultural difference a little tough to deal with.

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celferis
  2/8/2016 10:51 EST

Try riding the New York City subway system. You'll see that and far worse. Offensive behavior is found in every country/culture.

Bob12
  2/8/2016 15:42 EST

I agree with Blue Wind. I don't feel that this question should not have been addressed on this forum as someone suggested. Obviously, this person asked this because she/he knows that people that live in CR will be able to give an accurate answer about this as a cultural thing. It was a sincere question.

bluewind
  2/8/2016 17:16 EST

True, and anybody considering moving to New York City would probably want to know this unless they already urinate and defecate in public. If they do, then they will fit in nicely.

msager53
  2/10/2016 09:05 EST

When traveling in Costa Rica last summer, I told my host that I needed to find a place to pee. He pulled over to the side of the highway leading to San Jose. I must say there was a certain freedom to just letting it fly. Also, a lot less pain than waiting. I recently had to ask a bus driver in Panama to pull over, on the way to Bocas Del Toro. Again, no problem. I was thankful that I wasn't in the USA. Public urination does not equal flashing.

ILuvCR
  2/10/2016 10:22 EST

and there you have it!

It's just one of the many cultural/societal differences you'll be faced with here in our little slice of paradise.

I've heard that as many as half of all North Americans return home form C.R. in a year or two and I think that's because they can't get used to the fact "that's not the way we do it back home!"

If you don't adapt well to change and have a great attitude and sense of humor maybe C.R. is not for you?

La vida es Buena y Pura Vida!

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lhammond14
  2/10/2016 12:19 EST

I agree ILVCR. I remember the first time I came here when I was 19 yrs old (and my parents had to beg me to return to U,S. 6 months later) that lots of gringos at the language school were griping because they missed something in the States.

They MISSED canned vegetables and fruits and their junk food that they couldn't find here. I couldn't believe it! At that time filet mignon was the price of hamburger and everything fresh was real cheap. I couldn't get over the wonderful FRESH pineapple, papayas and all the great fresh food. The sunshine. The beautiful mountains and scenery. I still can't.

It was the same when moving to Florida. People from up North MISSING the snow and fall leaves. I'm thinking, 'are you nuts'??? No raking, shoveling, boots, coats, gloves, having to have 3 different wardrobes.

Also, in Florida and here, to me it would be confusing hopping back and forth because they miss their kids or grandchildren or family. I never had kids so I can't relate. My husbands are a cross between Chevy Chase, or on drugs - totally dysfunctional and he doesn't miss them. But if you do, get to where they are or where you want to be, and stop griping about what you don't have here or what you don't like!

BarbaraDG
  2/13/2016 08:45 EST

Welcome to the new custom in San Francisco, California: an open air urinal in a park, right next to a train track, and which is gathering a great deal of discussion in the USA:
http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/02/12/urinal-public-park-san-francisco-angers-residents

guestuser
  2/13/2016 09:42 EST

Oh San Francisco---hey this looks like a great place to meet friends!

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