Language

Polite and respectful greetings are a social norm. Female friends or relatives greet each other with a light kiss on the cheek. If women are not yet acquainted, they may pat each other on the arm. Men shake hands and may kiss the cheeks of female friends and relatives. It is an insult not to shake every man's hand in a small group. Common greetings include //Buenos días// (Good day), //Buenas tardes// (Good afternoon), and //Buenas noches// (Good evening). //Ticos// often respond to the greeting //Cómo está?// (How are you?) with the expression //Pura vida// (Pure life), which is understood to mean that the person is doing well. Also a way to say “Okay” or “No worries,” //Pura vida// has many uses. //Hola// (Hi) is a casual greeting popular among the youth; older people consider it disrespectful if used to greet them