The people of La Antigua are courteous, polite and helpful. And, to this old Irishman who has lived a few countries, it seems very genuine. La Antigua is "provincial" in the good sense of the term. The pace of life is generally slow and the local people greet each other -and you if you communicate with them- with "Good morning" -Buenos Dias- and Good Afternoon -Buenas Tardes, as the case may be.
When vendors offer you something and your refuse they will say very politely, "No tenga pena" This is a great turn of phrase which appears typical of La Antigua; not sure if in the rest of the country.
If you bump into someone on the street they will say the same thing.
If you dont have enough money to pay, they will smile an say "No tenga pena" [but they wont give it to you for nothing!]
The phrase is not that easy to translate. It means something like "Don't Worry", "That's alright", "No problem." "You are under no obligation"
Sellers in the market have their own little formulas "Take a look. You can ask. You are under no obligation"
Literally it means "don't be embarassed"....
In Ireland it might like "No bother"
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