Gringo Stabbed For Not Understanding Spanish
Not understanding the language almost cost Jacob Maller, a young North American, his life when he was stabbed by an antisocial that did not speak English, making it impossible for the two to communicate.

The North American or "gringo" is a recently arrived university student who was confronted near the Heredia stadium. "Mae, amos, eche la harina calladito y no me haga ningún aleteo (Man, come on, roll out the dough quietly and don't make any fuss)" were the words of the assailant to the North American, who didn't understand a word of what he was being told.

The gringo responded in English, enfuriating the assailant more, who insisted that his victim hand over the money.

According to police, the gringo tried to use his backpack to ward off the assailant who pulled a knife and stabbed the gringo.

For many North Americans, Heredia is known as a peaceful and quiet town minutes from San José. Maller had the same opinion until yesterday.

The assailant is a professional thief, according to police, who makes his living assaulting in the area of the downtown area in Heredia and doesn't pay attention of the origin of his victim.

Witnesses told police that they saw a man near the North American and it appeared if the man was hugging him, as it appeared they were joking around and never imagined that a stabbing was occurring in front of their eyes.

Maller was quickly attended to by paramedics of the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) and is recovering.