Costa Ricans have a tenuous relationship with time. As in many societies with warm climates and rural roots, punctuality is rare and efficiency is not in the vocabulary – what’s the rush? For many expatriates, this is one of the main attractions of living in Costa Rica. Life is slower, you know your neighbors, and stress is non-existent. While this sounds good in theory, it also means that you spend a lot of time waiting in lines at banks, supermarkets, and public buildings; that no one shows up on time to appointments; and that “tomorrow” can mean anything from “one week” to “next month” to – in rare circumstances - “tomorrow.” The chronic lateness takes on a new dimension of seriousness when it comes to business transactions and contracts.