Retirement in Costa Rica. To kiss or not to kiss.

Enter a room and be prepared. Kiss, hand shake, wave of the hand, what will it be? When I meet someone new, I have moments to decide which is right.

Where I came from (oh so long ago), our custom was to wave at newcomers from across the room. That was all it took.

But, it was imperative to acknowledge the new human being in the room. For if I didn’t establish the “hey/hi” greeting and wave, I’d have to lurk around the gathering with this awkward chip on my shoulder. Maybe the other person thinks I’m a snob. Should I approach him/her now, or is it too late?

Occasionally, when a dinner party was a bit more intimate, guys usually shook hands – of some sort – and the woman nodded with direct eye contact. Did you guess? I’m originally from the Midwest! Personal contact, in general, is a no-no.

In Costa Rica, I can get by with a wave hello, but a kiss on the cheek is generally the more appropriate way to go.

Meet someone new, that is of the same social class, and this what you should do: Extend your right hand and hold it as if you are going to give a handshake, but just hold the hand (no fishy hands, please!).

Then reach over and rub – or gently touch – right cheeks and kiss the air just before the person’s ear. It’s kind of a fake kiss on the cheek. Works well. I like it, until… there’s a room of mixed company!

Americans, Europeans, Latin Americans, Canadians! What in the world to do with a mixed group? It’s easy with the French. You must kiss both cheeks, and they won’t let you go until you do.

As for other American’s, it’s a toss up. I try not to offend anyone, but I suppose I sometimes do, especially if I kiss one and not the other. If I go with the policy of greeting most people with the “cheek kiss” I think I leave a better impression than the impersonal nod of the head from the old country.

A few men I know are thrilled to finally come to a country where they get to kiss other women for free. A friend of mine took up the French kiss (for hello and goodbye), and he was from Ohio.

For the goodbye, a true Costa Rica will probably want to kiss again. Most Americans, and assorted others, are ok with the wave goodbye and happy to dismiss with all that touching.

So, here’s the tough part: after all that kissing, will I ever remember their names?

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Written by Susan Carmichael, who is a freelance writer living in Costa Rica. She has developed several education curriculums for children and adults. She has also taught journalism. Susan’s website is Mother Jungle, she has produced and hosted radio programs and documentaries in Costa Rica including a short story program called “In the Moment” and an hour long interview program focused on the issues of women called “A Womans Voice”.

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Andrew Makarik

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Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.