And Where is That Line Exactly?
Today was slightly disturbing because of lying liars who lie. One of the things that has been rather unnerving to deal with is the Tico tendency to smile, nod and agree. Ticos do not say unpleasant things, or disagree, or tell you that they have no intention of showing up on time, or even on the day they are swearing to. Or even the week.
We've now experienced that from plumbers, landscaping dudes, painters, the guy that put in the automatic gate opener, the guy who adjusted the gate hydraulics, various pool installers for estimates, you name it.
Not all tradesmen here are that way. I have found an excellent plumber, ac repairman, pool builder and general contractor who are quick, respond to emails and calls, come out exactly when they say they will and do the job on time and on money. But these guys are few and far between here.
What is more typical is that they show up three weeks later than the agreed upon date or time, completely misunderstand why you are mad, and state baldly, "But I'm here now." That's if they show up at all.
I would rather have the truth, even an unpleasant truth, than a smiling lie. The problem with smiling liars is that they are so adept at lying it's not always easy to pick up on their insincerity. So you, as a trusting gringo, get left holding the bag yet again waiting, or get openly lied to, eroding primary trust in that person and many others. What they don't seem to understand is once trust and integrity are gone getting them back is sort of like trying to catch the Mississippi River in an old gunny sack. Despite the best intentions it's just not possible.
I have lost all patience with liars of all stripes now, and just do not want to be bothered with it. Life is too short to waste it on people that treat lying like a sport. Yes, I'm irked by that, and as a result have had to cut off all business with certain folks with only a passing acquaintanceship with the truth.
The last few days here have been involved with getting our old Honda CRV fixed. The A/C is out, one of the windows has a burned out motor plus there's something wrong with one of the bushings I believe. We've been shuffled off to Buffalo by various folks here with changing prices and changing things wrong with the car. It appears we've in the clutches of another set of lying liars who lie.
We've now experienced that from plumbers, landscaping dudes, painters, the guy that put in the automatic gate opener, the guy who adjusted the gate hydraulics, various pool installers for estimates, you name it.
Not all tradesmen here are that way. I have found an excellent plumber, ac repairman, pool builder and general contractor who are quick, respond to emails and calls, come out exactly when they say they will and do the job on time and on money. But these guys are few and far between here.
What is more typical is that they show up three weeks later than the agreed upon date or time, completely misunderstand why you are mad, and state baldly, "But I'm here now." That's if they show up at all.
I would rather have the truth, even an unpleasant truth, than a smiling lie. The problem with smiling liars is that they are so adept at lying it's not always easy to pick up on their insincerity. So you, as a trusting gringo, get left holding the bag yet again waiting, or get openly lied to, eroding primary trust in that person and many others. What they don't seem to understand is once trust and integrity are gone getting them back is sort of like trying to catch the Mississippi River in an old gunny sack. Despite the best intentions it's just not possible.
I have lost all patience with liars of all stripes now, and just do not want to be bothered with it. Life is too short to waste it on people that treat lying like a sport. Yes, I'm irked by that, and as a result have had to cut off all business with certain folks with only a passing acquaintanceship with the truth.
The last few days here have been involved with getting our old Honda CRV fixed. The A/C is out, one of the windows has a burned out motor plus there's something wrong with one of the bushings I believe. We've been shuffled off to Buffalo by various folks here with changing prices and changing things wrong with the car. It appears we've in the clutches of another set of lying liars who lie.
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