Dear Ugly American:

[valuedcustomer]

I was waiting in the check-in line today in Bogota Airport arranging my suitcases when I heard a large shout.  

I looked up and saw a muscular trim younger-looking man in a black T-shirt wearing Cowboy boots.  

From the best I could determine you were hollering at a sickly older looking man up to his face in an intimidating posture like a Marine Sergeant because supposedly he was cutting in line in front of you.  

Although, I don't know how you could determine that since the line was so chaotic and ill formed people were simply trying to find their place.  

He calmly looked at you and said: "We are a large family, you can go first".  

He then let you pass his wife and children.  

He made you look smaller than a church mouse below the belt and as clueless as the young boys you pleasure.

     

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Dear Ugly American:, posted by valuedcustomer on Dec 7, 2002

This story reminds me of something my ex-Colombiana told me once.  In Bogota there are often long lines at the banks.  I don't know why; that city has more banks than money.

My ex said when there was a long line she would look for a young man near the front of the line and walk over and start talking to him like she knew him.  He would play along because her beauty would overcome his better judgement and he would flirt with her hoping that something would come of it.  She would then go to the teller in front of him when it was his turn in line.

That ought to be a capital crime.

Steve

[Cali vet]

... in response to How to cut in line, Colombiana style, posted by DallasSteve2 on Dec 8, 2002

The reason there are always long lines at the banks is that almost all bills ie. elec, phone, cable, internet etc. have to be paid at banks. The "recibos" also have a limited window of oportunity of a couple of weeks. If not paid in that time frame you have to wait untill the next months bill arrives and pay them both, with a penalty of course. They're color coded warning you progressively. You can let it ride three billing cycles then your service is cut off. No such thing in Colombia as paying the bills by mail. Some banks like Conavi have automatic debiting of recibos which is the way to avoid the lines. Best time to get in line if you have to is Tuesday morning between eight and nine am. In fact there may not even be one then.

[colman]

... in response to How to cut in line, Colombiana style, posted by DallasSteve2 on Dec 8, 2002

nt

[mudd]

... in response to Dear Ugly American:, posted by valuedcustomer on Dec 7, 2002

Ok, ill bite, what is this story about, other than the obvious?

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to WHAT??, posted by mudd on Dec 8, 2002


I put it here based on the small chance that he reads the board or somebody he knows reads it.

[Traveller]

... in response to WHAT??, posted by mudd on Dec 8, 2002

N/T

[outwest77]

... in response to I'm with Mudd, WHAT??, posted by Traveller on Dec 8, 2002

it illustrates how about half the westerners you see in foreign countrys are arrogant, i agree, i avoid westerners when i go to the phils, not only americans, but
aussies, germans, etc, Not all are like that of course, but
a large percentage are.

[Red Clay]

... in response to Its a Story about an Ugly American in Bo..., posted by outwest77 on Dec 8, 2002

Like the locals in large SA cities are courteous and polite in lines, crowds, etc, lol.