Why do family members and in-laws back home think we're rich ?

[HAL 9000 96]

LOL... apparently you're at odds with the whole marrying a latina bit so far!

J/K There's a bit of everything and not all suegros are that 'metiche.'

[Jesse and Hema 2]

I didn't read the 6 pages of replies on this thread, so someone else has probably brought up these same points, but for my two cents:

In lots of geographies, people view Americans as immeasurably rich, just because we're American. It's an understandable belief. Just look at how intimately consumerism is tied in with several aspects of our culture. Americans spend thousands of dollars on (realistically) useless things like Blackberries iPods, iPhones, solar-powered watches, USB-powered lava lamps, etc, etc...

It's true.. Americans are rich...

Has anyone ever seen the Spanish film El Norte? I'd recommend it..

[panamania79 2]

I didn't read the 6 pages of replies on this thread, so someone else has probably brought up these same points, but for my two cents:

In lots of geographies, people view Americans as immeasurably rich, just because we're American. It's an understandable belief. Just look at how intimately consumerism is tied in with several aspects of our culture. Americans spend thousands of dollars on (realistically) useless things like Blackberries iPods, iPhones, solar-powered watches, USB-powered lava lamps, etc, etc...

It's true.. Americans are rich...

Has anyone ever seen the Spanish film El Norte? I'd recommend it..

That's exactly what my fiance says.He doesn't say it as diplomatically and eloquently as you just did though.

[athena_ny 1]

Luckily, I haven't experienced any of this, except for my some diabetic testing supplies for my fiancee's mom, because they are very expensive in Costa Rica. She offered to re-imburse me but I declined. But I have a strange feeling that once we get married it will start... but I pretty much told my fiancee it is not going to be a regular thing. This is one thing I will not put up with. I am marrying my fiancee not her whole family. Luckily, we will live in the US, so they can't move in with us, which is what they would've wanted to do had we chosen to live there.

If they're willing to pay you, I don't see the issue. When you marry into a Latino/a's family, on a lot of levels, you have married their family. It's wonderful and horrible all at the same time. I've learned to draw lines, but his sisters are some of my best friends and would have been cutting off my nose to spite my face to not consider them family.

[Vi Mazzella 4]

Hi There!

Las t time we went to Peru was for Christmas 06' we stayed at my parents house and I spend about $1000 in two weeks, we did alot of shopping for us and for the house+ I was smart enough to go to visit my dentist over there, I saved so much money, we are planning to go back this Christmas and I'm planning to see my dentist again.

Before I forget, Sil got a few suits (pants + jacket) for $90 (a suit licke that here in NYC WILL COST AROUND $300) , incredibly price so he is planning to get a few more this time.

My family doesn't give me any headache, but my hubby's family , they are crazy!!!

Saludos and have a good week!!

Vi

[bora bora 1]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

[HAL 9000 96]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

My father in law is a dentist... so my teeth get very special care. With the MDs I am considering lasik since the total pre and post op cost is about 1/3 of what it is in the US... since insurance doesn't cover it here, then I may as well down there. I am just waiting for more research to be done on the long term effects on patients. The MD I am considering was trained in the US and receives patients from the US and Europe so things are nearly as green to go as St. Patty's day today.

[athena_ny 1]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

I go to Cubans...Cuba has one of the best education systems and the doctors are fabulous

I don't go to any doctors in Peru...I refused to go while I had my intestinal thing down there, since for a sore throat and a sniffle they hand out antibiotics are the pharmacy willy nilly. I'm sure the doctors are okay, but that just made me nervous.

Edited March 17, 2008 by athena_ny

[panamania79 2]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

They are.My best friend just got his Lasik surgery done there.He paid a fraction of what of he would have to pay here in the States.

[bora bora 1]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

They are.My best friend just got his Lasik surgery done there.He paid a fraction of what of he would have to pay here in the States.

My husband was so mad when he got here to see that health care is so expensive - and I don't blame him. Plus, I've only found crappy dentists in central Florida (with the exception of one).

He also complains about how the medicine is better in Brazil, but I think that is mostly because he's from the Amazon and don't 25% of our medicine come from there?

You can find a lot of natural medicine. I'll be stocking up...

[HAL 9000 96]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

They are.My best friend just got his Lasik surgery done there.He paid a fraction of what of he would have to pay here in the States.

My husband was so mad when he got here to see that health care is so expensive - and I don't blame him. Plus, I've only found crappy dentists in central Florida (with the exception of one).

He also complains about how the medicine is better in Brazil, but I think that is mostly because he's from the Amazon and don't 25% of our medicine come from there?

You can find a lot of natural medicine. I'll be stocking up...

Preventative medicine is always safer...

Eat well, exercise and be happy.

[bora bora 1]

I also take advantage of the cheap health care when I'm in South America. I went to every doctor possible while I was living in Brazil - even had minor surgery since the doctors are good and here everything is expensive - even with insurance. My husband says he'll get braces in Brazil, not to mention we'll pick up antibiotics and other medicines that are easily accessible in the Amazon.

I have a Colombian friend who always goes to the doctor when she goes "home" - her father too. I hear Colombian doctors are the BEST.

They are.My best friend just got his Lasik surgery done there.He paid a fraction of what of he would have to pay here in the States.

My husband was so mad when he got here to see that health care is so expensive - and I don't blame him. Plus, I've only found crappy dentists in central Florida (with the exception of one).

He also complains about how the medicine is better in Brazil, but I think that is mostly because he's from the Amazon and don't 25% of our medicine come from there?

You can find a lot of natural medicine. I'll be stocking up...

Preventative medicine is always safer...

Eat well, exercise and be happy.

I agree - we do that too...he goes to the gym and I do my capoeira. We rarely eat out and have our fruits and vegetables.

[gemini23nj 2]

I used to save clothes, toys etc. from my children to bring to Costa Rica with us. I would get some decent home appliances, or electronics on sale for my in laws. I didn't spend a whole lot of money, but traveling with capacity on suitecases (5 travels = 10 large suitecases plus carry ons) I really just got sick of it!! My first husband (also tico) was the youngest of 14 children. We would bring small toys/gifts to EVERYONE. You could never buy for one and not the others. My inlaws were always so kind and hospitable to us when we would visit, I never felt I had to bring things to them, I really wanted to.

We were always expected to pick up the bar/restaurant tab when we would go out with friends, but the family never expected this (we do it anyway).

The one thing that totally annoys me in general about the Costa Rican culture, they want their family members that live here in the USA to invest. The advice is truly given in good spirit, but not the best option IMO. It is also important for mom and dad to be able to show the neighbors "how much $$$" their son/daughter living abroad have.You MUST buy land, because the price goes up quickly, you MUST buy cattle, what a great investment, and you HAVE to build a house. Well, buy the land, cattle, build the house...... they you can expect to have to pay tio or tia to take care of the cattle, food,injections, salt and honey feedings.... the list goes on and on. Someone will be paid to make sure the fence is built around the property and boy, you can't imagine the price on stakes and barbed wire fencing. Hmmm build the houjse, pay out the @ss to have "amigos" that are giving you a good price build it. My best advice...... let the family know in advance, you will not be investing until you have plenty of money to burn!!

[Mononoke28 135]

This is true. Every time I go to my cousin's farm his neighbors alwasy try to sell me their property. I have no one I can trust to take care of land and cows and even chickens. I'm not interested but they still insist. Forget that!

Diana

[Vi Mazzella 4]

The one thing that totally annoys me in general about the Costa Rican culture, they want their family members that live here in the USA to invest. The advice is truly given in good spirit, but not the best option IMO. It is also important for mom and dad to be able to show the neighbors "how much $$$" their son/daughter living abroad have.You MUST buy land, because the price goes up quickly, you MUST buy cattle, what a great investment, and you HAVE to build a house. Well, buy the land, cattle, build the house...... they you can expect to have to pay tio or tia to take care of the cattle, food,injections, salt and honey feedings.... the list goes on and on. Someone will be paid to make sure the fence is built around the property and boy, you can't imagine the price on stakes and barbed wire fencing. Hmmm build the houjse, pay out the @ss to have "amigos" that are giving you a good price build it. My best advice...... let the family know in advance, you will not be investing until you have plenty of money to burn!!

Just don't listen to them