Thursday, July 5, 2012

Low Unemployment Rate

I know how the unemployment rate can be decreased in the states. Costa Rica has a system like none I have ever seen.

Example 1:
You go to the hardware store to buy some nails. You wait 10 minutes for someone to weigh them. That employee #1 weighs them and bags them, then he carries them to what looks like the checkout counter. Employee #2 enters your item into the computer. He then takes the item to another counter and he sends you to a different counter (following me? Your item(s) are not where you were sent). A different employee #3 pulls your items up in the computer that was just entered and you pay that employee. The employee #3 you paid gives you a receipt and you take it to employee #4 (where employee #2 took your item), where you are then given your item that you purchased. They just gave 3 more people jobs.

Example 2:
You go to the appliance/furniture store and wish to purchase a twin mattress and a waffle iron. Employee #1 helps you find items you want. He writes you a ticket and gives you the ticket. He walks you upstairs to another counter where you wait. You give Employee #2 your ticket and you pay them. You then take your final receipt you were given back downstairs where Employee #1 or could be Employee #3 (if #1 is busy) gets your item(s) for you. They just gave 1 and possibly 2 more people jobs.


Example 3:
You go to the pharmacy where you talk to the pharmacist (Employee #1) and they tell Employee #2 what you need, and that employee gets your items from behind the counter (this includes things like face soap, shampoo, fingernail clippers, medicines, contact solution, etc) and gives to Employee #3. Employee #3 bags your items while Employee #4 rings up your items and you pay. Then Employee #3 or #4 gives you your items. They just gave 2 or 3 more people jobs. So, in three business establishments, they just gave 8 people jobs. In the states those 8 jobs would have been 3 jobs. A little lacking in efficiency.... I thought everyone would like this little experience we had in town the other day. We sure got a laugh out of it.

Yay!!  This was the last time we had to eat out,
because I now have all my kitchen items I shipped.



This is the kid's favorite stop in town.
Tia Mano's
If you ever come and visit, this will have
to be a must stop.  Cheap ice cream.

One happy boy with his helado de chocolate

It started sprinkling one day while we were in
town and he insisted he needed to wear his rain coat
that was in his backpack.  He was sweating bullets.  
It was very hot in town that day.

 

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