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Con Mucho Gusto

By Doug Nielsen

As my family and I have had the wonderful experience of living in Cost Rica for the past six months, I have been absolutely blown away by the generosity and selflessness of the Costa Rican people.  Our experience has shown that they are quick to serve and do it with joy!    

My family and I have been recipients of Costa Rican kindness on several occasions. 

Once while on a bus ride our youngest son was cold and damp due to being caught in an unexpected down pour.  A man getting on the bus noticed his predicament, took his nice coat off and said “Here use this.”  When the bus arrived at his stop my wife thanked him and began to lift the coat off of our sleeping child in order to return it. The man would not take it.  Instead he said, “The coat is yours, Con mucho gusto.”

Another example took place when our car broke down in the middle of nowhere.  A family stopped to tow us into the nearest city so we could get the car fixed.  Despite our best attempts to pay them, they would not take a cent.  After we thanked them, they replied, “Con mucho gusto.”

One last example took place when we arrived in a new town. It was late and dark.  The streets were basically unlit.  It was raining harder than I have ever seen in my life.  It was nearly impossible to find the grocery store we were looking for.  We were quite discouraged and to put it mildly, the kids were not happy campers.  We asked for directions from a teenager and his friend.  He said, “Here I will take you to it.”  “No” we replied. “Just point the way.”  “No” he said, “I will show you.”  He had no umbrella and was wetter then a wet rat (now that’s wet).  I thanked him and again I heard the now familiar and beautiful phrase--
“Con mucho gusto.” 

In Costa Rica, “con mucho gusto” means with pleasure.  Notice that they do not say “De nada” which means, “It was nothing.” Rather, they say, “Con mucho gusto” which means quite the opposite, “with much pleasure.”

Once the Costa Ricans have chosen a course of action they do not do it resentfully, but with the spirit of joy and service.  Semantics? Perhaps. However, words reveal the heart.

When you choose to serve someone, which position do you serve from?

1. It’s not a big deal, but it’s not that great either. I’ll do it because I should do it or;
2. I will do it with much pleasure and I will find joy in being able to serve and contribute.

 

This Month’s Invitation

Until next time take life by the Helm and smooth sailing even in the storms!