The 10 biggest differences between Latinos and Europeans

We have been in Costa Rica for almost two months. The Switzerland of Latin America - many say. That triggers two thoughts in us. First of all, we think about it. The only thing that can be compared to Switzerland is the people on the bus, all of them staring at their smartphones. The second thought is: what if this is Switzerland? Then what are the other countries? And we don't always think that with a feeling of comfort.

Differences between Latin America and Europe

When we think of Switzerland, we think of cleanliness, punctuality and really, really clean cleanliness. Everything is neat. From taking care of the dog poop, to the civil servant in the Federal Palace.

In these matters, Costa Rica offers the opposite: it's dirty here, nobody is on time and there is orderly chaos.

The biggest differences between Latinos and Europeans

Michael can't cope with the sloppy work ethic here. I - you may already notice - I don't have a relaxed tolerance for garbage and dirt.

I think it's great that the people here take a lot of time for everything. Michael thinks it's great that everyone honks their horns on the streets and that he can talk to everyone.

Some things are similar - most of them are completely different. And so here: Our top ten biggest differences between Latinos and Europeans:

First difference: the volume

It starts with television, continues with traffic and ends with communication. When a young person listens to hip-hop here, it is not his room walls that shake, but the walls of the entire village.

And the urge of Latinos to shout more often and louder when talking - even when they are not angry at all - is on par with the urge to honk while driving.

Second difference: the pickiness

Who do you think is more picky? You probably think: The Europeans! The answer is: mostly. When it comes to cleanliness, for example. Or punctuality.

Latinos are picky differently. If you get off a bus in Latin America so that people can get by, that means: you are outside. No turning back. Even if your shopping bag is still on your seat. Who gets out gets out. True story!

Third difference: the work ethic

In Germany and Switzerland, people work for the sake of work. In Latin America at most for wages. And only if you have to. Nobody here wants more wages than necessary. When a Swiss with a full credit card has a few extra requests, the Latino shrugs his shoulders irrelevantly. The few colones are not worth the effort.

Fourth difference: the women

First of all, the women here have really small feet. It was now time to get rid of that. With my shoe size 39, I hardly managed to find any shoes.

Second, the women, preferably the mothers, are real control freaks here. I wouldn't have thought it possible. What European mothers and helicopter training understand is nothing other than laisser faire for Latino mothers.

Fifth difference: the men

While men in Europe believe they are the boss at most, men in Latin America really are. That is generally accepted. Except for European blondes on a world tour, who don't make themselves particularly popular this way.

Sixth difference: the family

Your best friend here is your mom. Your clique consists of your siblings. Family starts with everything and ends with everything. A family that packs sackcloth and children and goes out into the big wide world would not be accepted by the grandmothers here. Another reason why everyone finds us a bit strange here.

Seventh difference: the timetable

In Germany and Switzerland you work from sunrise to sunset. Here you work from when you feel like it until it rains.

Eighth difference: social rules of conduct

As a German, I always thought that the Swiss are overly polite. Then I came to Latin America and now I consider the Swiss to be a boisterous gang of anarchist Raudis. You'd rather say nothing here than the wrong thing. And at most what the other wants to hear.

Ninth difference: the humor

Where we come from, you laugh when something is really funny. About cat videos, for example. You always laugh here in Latin America. And loud. And the lower the level, the louder.

Ten difference: punctuality

Punctuality had to come, that was clear. Everyone expected them. And here it is. Right at the end. If this was a Latin American blog, what you expect would be a post later. Or not. If anyone wanted to write a blog at all.