Coffee and Prosperity in Costa Rica

According to my Mama-Tica, coffee is important to Costa Rica because it is a major industry. Many people grow it, sell it, and it is exported to many countries throughout the world--not to mention how frequently Ticans themselves enjoy a nice cup of coffee. In short, coffee represents the hard work of Ticans, the importance of Costa Rica in our globalized world, and more generally prosperity--both in production and consumption.

While coffee is a symbol of prosperity for Costa Rica, I have noticed a kind of disconnect between the patriotism of coffee and the people who actually grow the coffee. Kind of like there is a connotation that comes along with working in that industry. To put it more simply--coffee has sentimental value for Ticans as a patriotic unifier, however, the people who actually work in that industry are viewed as below the white collar workers that for example work in the HP factory.

This is also comparable to industries in the US. For example: Ford Motors. Ford Motor Co. is a classic United States-ian corporation. The sole concept of American-produced cars--at least before the recession--was something to be proud of and celebrated. However, the workers who actually help to build those cars are not viewed very highly in US society. Similar to Costa Rica, we are proud of the industry, but aren't willing to actually work in it ourselves--even it is a symbol of United States-ian prosperity.

As far as the connection between coffee and Tican politics, my Mama-Tica had some interesting things to say. She says that politics work slowly, but coffee is always being produced and exported. In some ways coffee serves as a form of economic stability in an environment of constantly changing politics. Therefore coffee represents both stability and prosperity to Ticans and is an essential part to society.

When visiting places where coffee was being consumed, I couldn't help but notice the formality of the meetings that were taking place. As far as I could see, people drinking coffee publicly are more formal about it. It is a different entity than when you invite someone over for an afternoon cup and exercise your hospitality. Even the way that coffee is served in public places--at least in cafes. Often times, you get your own little pot, or an iced coffee will come in a fancy glass with the straw wrapper curled and whipped cream. Coffee in public allows for an atmosphere of respect and even some form of etiquette. It reminds me almost of what would be comprable to meeting for tea in Great Britain. There is an upper class conotation that goes along with meeting for coffee in Costa Rica. Below is a picture from a cafe where we ordered coffee (I'm not sure if the class comment applies to this photo at all---"gringa spectacle").