In business, the Costa Rican individual also wants to be the sole owner of the enterprise. If his savings are not sufficient, he generally turns to relatives, friends or banks to obtain loans rather than share with a partner, sell stocks or disperse ownership. He's still somewhat suspicious and distrustful of partners. Gradually this is changing and some Tico entrepreneurs are beginning to pool their money with others to establish new, larger enterprises. But the spirit of individuality persists and more so when it comes to buying stock in local companies. I believe it's the main reason why the national stock market (Bolsa de Valores) has grown so slowly. The Tico still prefers to keep his savings in government bonds, time deposit certificates
or savings accounts in banks, especially if the latter are state-owned, not private ones of which he's still somewhat distrustful.
In politics Costa Rica also demonstrates its spirit of individuality. It has never wanted to join the Central American Parliament which was established in 1991 by the other countries of the region. The Ticos firmly accept economic integration but prefer to steer clear of anything dealing with political integration.
Luis Barahona, reputable University of Costa Rica professor, depicted the Costa Rican as being "really a mountain farmer, individualistic, quiet, and suspicious in nature, astute, introverted, which lives from day to day and is a democrat. He rejects totalitarianism and anything doing with the military." It is customary for the farmer to work from early dawn, have his lunch at around 9 a.m. and quit at 2 p.m. He wants to be at home before the afternoon rains fall and spend the rest of the day with his family, a social organization which is still very closely knit in Costa Rica. Definitely, the Tico is a conservative individual, likes to stay home and live in peace.
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