Spanish language

[slojas1]

I want to make one last point on learning spanish. It's like some of you guys don't think it is necessary at all, and a few success stories have you thinking that it isn't a prerequisite.
In Miami the Cubans that don't speak english are despised because they don't put the effort in to learn our language. The overall consensus is that 'they are in America damnit and they should learn the friggin language'. I can't fault that logic as the benefits are apparent.
On the other hand the American lives in another country and thinks that the same behaviour of the despised Cubans is perfectly acceptable. I think of Pete, Jamie, and a gringo that I know very well living in Cali. These guys have all of the ingredients to really learn the language but they live for the American culture while living abroad and language for them never becomes a big issue, always secondary. Gimme me Fox news, Espn, etc. This is part of the UGLY AMERICAN ATTITUDE!! Turn that shit off for 4 or 5 months, immerse yourself in the language and culture and see how your language skills improve, put some pressure on yourself. I lived in the Dominican Republic for 3 months. I refused to hang out with the gringos, didn't watch english language tv,  and my spanish skills improved dramatically.

When my wife calls home, the entire family want to speak to me and it makes them (and me) happy that we can converse beyond "hola, como estas". I know my wife was even more attracted to me because I made every effort to speak the language. I used my translator once or twice early on in my travels, after I made the decision to just go for it, the rewards were immediate. Lots more dates without the assistance of an agency.

You can find someone without speaking the language but you don't get to know the whole person as quickly and believe me her family is a huge part of who she is. My suegra has told me many things about my wife that she never could have had I not had a working knowledge of the language. I don't consider myself fluent, but I don't have to reach for my dictionary anymore. Just make the effort and you will get more, much more out of the relationship. If you have a good relationship then I guarantee it will get better once you can communicate with her family.
Too damn much writing!!
Happy Holidays to all.

[jediknight]

... in response to Spanish language, posted by slojas1 on Dec 18, 2004

i agree with you and posted a rebutal to jamies point of view a few threads down so i won't rehash the obvious. i completely disagree with his arguments and way of thinking but if it works for him, so be it. the only thing i have to add is that not learning your wifes language is a copout, much easier to come up with excuses and blowing it off then learning it, that is much harder.

[kented]

... in response to Spanish language, posted by slojas1 on Dec 18, 2004

The beauty and charm of living in Costa Rica or Colombia is living in another culture.  I feel that the idea that we should go to anyother country and not interact will the common people is horrible.  It presents the arrogant attitude that we are superior and have nothing to learn from them.  But more importantly WE ARE NOT REALLY EXPERIENCING THE COUNTRY WE LIVE IN OR SHOWING RESPECT FOR IT.

In seven months in Costa Rica I only spoke English when teaching it and it was my job.  I didn't hang with gringos, I never watched TV in English and I tried to fit into the culture.  This is what I am about to ask my wife and two daughters to do in two days and I am not a hypocite.  I have set a good example.

I didn't make the connection but the same poster who lives in Cali and is too disinterested in fitting in to bother to study Spanish, also is crying that he can't get his favorite right wing newscast.  That is not a program of US news that many foreigners would like to watch because they DO consider it biased.

I'm not sure if this same person who posted lammenting a few months ago about how boring soccer was compared to American football.  Football, as it is called every where outside the US is the world's game.  Rather that take the attitude of US superiority, (our sports are more interesting than the world's most popular sport) you should try to enjoy the sport.  In CR they always had Spanish or Argentinan leagues of TV but nothing could top the national rivelries.  

My 9 year old daughter is a Saprista (a partisan of Saprisa, the San Jose team who wears purple) and my wife and older daughter are Ligistas (partisans of La Liga, the red team from Alajuela).  The went to see Guatamala play the CR national team in September and next week they'll see the Phoenix Suns (20-3) at America West Arena.  

This is not personal but people should learn the language, appreciate the culture in which they live and realize that right wing American politics is repugnant to most of the world.

PURA VIDA!!!

[Heat]

... in response to Spanish language, posted by slojas1 on Dec 18, 2004

The sad part is the young guys.  

Nothing against Jamie.......but ...........

Would you take advise from an agency owner who can't speak Spanish?

Sounds like the blind leading the blind.

[thunderbolt]

... in response to Just lazy...., posted by Heat on Dec 18, 2004

I can't really comment on his agency b/c I don't have any experience with it.  It is even fine in my opinion that he had not yet had a chance to learn the language well - it is a question of time and from what I understand his wife and staff speak decent english.

The main shortcoming of his service IMO is that he basically encourages people who don't want to put any effort into learning spanish language and culture to continue on that track.

[pablo]

... in response to Just lazy...., posted by Heat on Dec 18, 2004


Now Heat,

I'm not sure how much of a barometer it is in taking advice from an agency owner who doesn't speak the language.  I think Jamie has given lots of good advice in the past.  He explained in an earlier post why he hasn't buckled down and learned the language.  Cut the guy some slack.

Pablo

[kented]

... in response to Re: Just lazy...., posted by pablo on Dec 18, 2004

Why is the world would a person who owned a business in Colombia not bother to learn the language?  Please refresh our memories.

I believe lots of people who post on this board give good advise and some don't speak any Spanish.  When I went to Spanish Eyes in CR, I didn't care much for Tom, the owner because he spoke only English and was useless.  However, Purita ran the show and she was great.  

Jamie not speaking Spanish doesn't mean he has a bad agency or that he doesn't offer good advise.  However, he should learn the language and he'll be amazed at how much more he appreciated Colombia and his agency will be even better.  If ladies talk to and respect the gringo who runs the agency, that should make it more attractive to them.

[Heat]

... in response to Re: Just lazy...., posted by pablo on Dec 18, 2004

Hey I like the guy well enough but facts are facts.

He says he trys to police the scammers and such.  How?
How would he know?  Third hand information from a translator?

Sorry but that's poor.  

There is no reason why in ten months that he has been running his show that he has not learned to speak Spanish.

He's going to guide you in culture and ways of a group of people that he himself can never fully understand?

I'm not buying it.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Just lazy...., posted by Heat on Dec 18, 2004


I will let Jamie speak for himself as he is very capable of responding to your comments but I will make a couple of my own.  I think Jamie runs a good agency and I've never heard one negative comment about his operation.  He has policed a number of scammers and he's identified such ladies on his site.  I doubt if he has to rely on translators to clue him in on such behavior.  The best source for that kind of information would be the men relating to such women and having them get in touch with him.  

Jamie is married to a Colombiana and lives in Barranquilla.  IMO he is credible and runs a good agency even without being fluent yet in Spanish.  Besides, is "guiding a person in a culture" really the main focus of an agency owner?  In time I am sure he will speak Spanish just like me and Pete and...

Cheers.

[Heat]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Just lazy...., posted by pablo on Dec 18, 2004

I doubt if he has to rely on translators to clue him in on such behavior""

Oh really...then just how does he know who is who?

He has to use someone else.  Third party information.

Not very good.  

BTW, before you lose a nut flying off the handle.  I said he seems honest and decent.  Just green.

[kented]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Just lazy...., posted by pablo on Dec 18, 2004

Basically he's letting his male clients make his decisions for his.  If I ever ran an agency in CR, the key is attracting loads of women and the way to do so if through communicating to them that your agency is different.

[cabocancun]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Just lazy...., posted by pablo on Dec 18, 2004

Have you dated any ladies there that you considered a 10?
What was the relationship like?

Cabo

[pablo]

... in response to Pablo, posted by cabocancun on Dec 18, 2004


Not a 10 but maybe a strong 8, or possibly a 9.  However I'm working on getting a cita with a lady who I consider a strong 10 but unfortunately she turned out to be a professional model, a profession that usually is accompanied by lots of high maintenance and one of the three dreaded professions in finding a sweet Latina.  The other two are probably muscians/singers and lawyers.  Since I live here though I thought why not give it a good red-blooded American try.  This beauty queen may after all be a sweety, although I highly doubt it.  You should see how beautiful she is though!  "Ave Maria" as they say here.  She is a real stunner.

I think that one's best bet is to settle for a gal sweet as the day is long although not in the "super model" status.  I'm giving myself lots of time in the search.  

A future goal is to take lots of photos of these lovely Paisas and post them.  Then others will get motivated to get on that plane and check Medellin out.

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to Re: Pablo, posted by pablo on Dec 19, 2004

It's a very commendable goal, Pablo. I always try to encourage guys to check out Medellin but there seems to be a lot of resistance. Maybe part of it is the Paisas themselves, I don't know. Some guys have said they are not as approachable as other Colombianas although that has not been my experience. Also, it would be hard to navigate your way through Medellin without knowing much Spanish and that is a bar for a lot of guys. It kills me because I personally know several single women there that would be good wives.

[soltero]

... in response to Spanish language, posted by slojas1 on Dec 18, 2004

My thoughts exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself. For those who are truly looking for a wife and not just arm candy, understand that family is important to them and should be important to you as you are trying to start one with her. LEARN THE LANGUAGE. LEARN THE CULTURE. Learn as much as you can and the experience will be that much more. If you get in with the family as well as her, you are in. The same applies to her when she gets here. If she starts looking at your family as hers, then she will be stuck to you through whatever. These things might not be too important to you older guys, so it might not matter, but for someone trying to have a FAMILY, don't discount the value of learning the language.