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Here are a some differences I thought about.

cold/warm
Well, first of all, in Colombia people are very friendly, they care about the neighbors, about the neighbor’s relatives (even if we don’t know them) To be honest, we care about everybody, we love to know about people’s life and stories, we gossip all the time, it’s weird, but it’s almost like we care TOO MUCH about what other people say about us, that’s a major difference between the US and Colombia.  For example, that’s the reason why ladies look nice all the time, can you imagine a lady wearing sweat pants and a huge T-shirt walking around Chipichape or Unicentro? Here in Colombia ladies are “competing” all the time, we have a secret beauty pageant going on every day, and of course, all ladies want to be the prettiest.
It’s not that we are superficial or shallow, but it’s always good to look good! I have nothing against that, and it’s even healthy because we always watch what we eat, because nobody wants to have an extra pound in the perfect figure land.
In the US people in general don’t really care about what they look like, they don’t really care about saying hello to neighbors, and they don’t care about what unknown people have to say about them (I know because that’s what I went through when I was there)
Ladies want to be the prettiest and Colombian men’s concern is to have many girlfriends, most Colombian men, about 90-95% are playboys, we even have a saying for them!  “Among 1000, 1 is good, and among 100, none”

Straight to the point/ Talkers
We love to talk! About everything and anything, socializing is a big part of our lives.
People even talk to complete strangers for hours, there’s always something to talk about.  Here, you can have a party in 1 hour, if I feel bored or I have nothing to do, I make a couple of phone calls and I have about 15 people to go out with.
On the other hand, we have most Americans: A very good friend of mine from the States once told me “I called a friend once and asked him to go out to have a beer and he told me he was tired, then I call another friend and told me the same thing… After a few times I just stopped calling people and stayed home by myself doing nothing” Some Americans won’t talk to you unless there is something they have to say, it’s always funny during the appointments in the agency, the men ask the 10 basic questions (hobbies, future goals, etc) and after 15min there’s nothing to talk about, and then they tell me, “there wasn’t any chemistry” Well, how can you possibly find out if there’s chemistry after asking 10 questions?

Music and rhythm
When some US men come to Cali and they go out to night clubs it’s unbelievable... They move with no rhythm, they move their bodies but they don’t follow the music, I haven’t really understood this, for example, my little cousin, when she was 9months old she heard music and she moved with the music, and she couldn’t even walk!   This is another major cultural difference, specially because dancing is a big part for most Colombian people.

I’ll think about a few more things, and I’ll let you guys know,
In the mean time, I’m always open for questions,
Chao
Carolina

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

It is great that you posted about the positive side of your culture.  Can you post/respond about other issues, what to beware of?  What age diffences are realistic, what are the realistic factors/expectations for a woman who marries an american man, how important is his income, world view, habits?  These are general questions, but nontheless very important.  does each city differ in this regard?  Is there a differnce with north verses south Colombua?

curious...

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005


I knew how to Salsa & Merenque long before, I even thought of traveling to Colombia...lol

Speaking of musical taste, I found it very interesting to hear American music from the 70's & 80's on a couple of Cali radio stations. What caught me a bit off guard was the number of teens & those in their early 20's listening to hard core rap. Most of the listeners had no idea, what the hell they were listening too. They LOVED the beat, but they didn't have a clue about the lyrics....

... in response to Hold up sister :-) Many of us can dance...., posted by Hoda on Oct 5, 2005


Well, it has to do with being 'cool', because anything that comes from A-ME ree kah (including the lard in the KFC's and the McDonnald's of latin america) is "bacano" or "chevere" because... it is American.

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

"Music and rhythm
When some US men come to Cali and they go out to night clubs it’s unbelievable... They move with no rhythm, they move their bodies but they don’t follow the music, I haven’t really understood this"

Don't you know???

White men can't dance!!!

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by wizard on Oct 5, 2005


No, bro. It is some white men can't dance. That's all.

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

Darolina,
That was a very infomative post. I just had a quick question.  What would you suggest we do for questions during interviews?

thanx for any input

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by nodak on Oct 5, 2005

[This message has been edited by CelticUrge]

Possibly, don't have an agenda of questions and just try to have a normal conversation, and let it naturally flow wherever it goes. Then you can determine if this is someone who interests you and someone from whom you may want to know the answers to many questions. That's part of the purpose of a first date. And BTW, I too sometimes get myself in the asking questions mode. I just think that is part of AM and our desire to close some deal quickly in a limited time frame while on "vacation." In my first hunt I took along many pictures to show the women. This was great for conversation. Don't take photos of your cars, homes, etc. That's too much and trolling for someone who wants your stuff and not you. Take photos of your family, friends, puppy, cat, a vacation trip, hiking in the mountains, the trip to the beach, whatever. Here's the quilt I made in craft class. Well, mayby not that one. I never lay out a pile of photos, just a half dozen, and not every cita. Sometimes you should know right away if you are interested or not interested. It progresses into quite a long conversation on its own. And guess what? I learned quite a lot about the woman in these conversations. We all do things differently. For example, my puppy is a cute female Bichon Frishe. The dog, or pictures of her are like chick magnets. Just a suggestion.

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

...or should I say ....you scored a goal!!!!

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

Thanks for your input. I would only question the statement that "we always watch what we eat". It seems to me that McDonalds and Kentucy Chicken are very, very popular places to eat for anyone that can afford to eat there. For me, anyone who is "watching what they are eating" and not  wanting "that extra pound or two, or three or......" would not venture in these types of restaurants. Also it seems that most of the women over thirty in the marriage agencies are "gordas". It is very difficult to find "flacas" in the over thirty range and even worse in over the over forty range. (of course there are exceptions) The only group that has lots of "flacas" are the 18 -27 year old age group. This, at least, is what I have seen from my very limited time in Colombia (about one year + total) Be interesting to hear from others that have traveled to Colombia.

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by adventuro on Oct 4, 2005

Adventuro, I was thinking the same thing about reading that Colombians apparently always watching what they eat – I didn't know that empanadas and chicharon are health foods.

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by adventuro on Oct 4, 2005

I've been traveling to Cali since 1994, and I am noticing more and more women becoming overweight, especially younger girls.  Now, it's not was bad as the U.S., but I have seen a definite change.

But, on the other hand, I still see that most of the Caleñas still take good care of themselves...I'm just seeing a little more fat around the mid-section of many young girls.

... in response to Re: Re: Differences in culture!  US and ..., posted by beenthere on Oct 5, 2005

a

... in response to Re: Re: Differences in culture!  US and ..., posted by beenthere on Oct 5, 2005

"I've been traveling to Cali since 1994, and I am noticing more and more women becoming overweight, especially younger girls. Now, it's not was bad as the U.S., but I have seen a definite change."  My experiences exactly....

My theory (shared by many, many others) is the weight gain in the US and to a lesser extent Europe and Latin America is due to increased consumption of PROCESSED food and super processed food and over processed food and stuff that has had the food and nutritional value processed right out of it.  

For an eye opener, pull any sample package off the shelf of a US supermarket and then read the ingredients.  Then research each and every ingredient.  Here is a not so reassuring link regarding a very commonly used ingredient - High Fructose Corn Syrup.....

http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html

Just more motivation for me to move away from Wall Mart and MacDonalds in the US and towards the Mom and Pop tienda and the fresh food market on the corner in Latin America.....

Teo Blas

... in response to more and more women becoming overweight...., posted by teoblas on Oct 5, 2005

I remember reading two news article(forgot the link) on weight and nutrition in the US.  The first dealt with why poor people in the US are overweight, it spell out the main culprit is the abundance of CHEAP process food.  Process food contain lots of fat/cholerestral inside(ie, hamburger helper boxes).  The poor could not afford to eat right, ie, fish is $4-6/lb while groundbeef(20% fat) is $1.5-2/lb, or $1 bigmac, etc.,

the second article noted an ALARMING trend.  It did a study of 2000 or so white men/women for 30 yrs.  It founded that by the time they reach middle-age, 90% of women and 70% of men were overweight, due to all the contributing factors(less exercise, slower metobolism, eating habbits, etc.,).

... in response to more and more women becoming overweight...., posted by teoblas on Oct 5, 2005

I agree.  And the cost of fresh unprocessed food is many times that of processed food.  Publix is a major grocery chain in South Florida.  A fresh pineapple is selling for $7.00 while a hamburger at Rallys/Checkers sells for $1.50.  SoFlo is a troical area.  Why are tropical fruits so expensive here?!?!?

It is no wonder we (Americans) are getting fat when after paying for gas, all we have left is enough to buy cheap fast food.

... in response to more and more women becoming overweight...., posted by teoblas on Oct 5, 2005

I agree

Every latina i have talked to that has come here to the US has said they all gained weight and could not figure out why because they did not really change what they ate that much. Processed food is my take as well.

KB

... in response to Re: more and more women becoming overwei..., posted by Kiltboy1 on Oct 5, 2005

KB,
Howe about less walking and more sitting.I think its less calories burned more than more taken in.Whateverr it is,therre is a difference.I have lost 27 lbs here,the last
being sick.Up early this morniug,Nurse,not Beatriz giving me IV's.A  story coming.
I think I sweat it out more here also.I lost 10 lbs my first week her in 1993.
MAYBE its a CERTAIN type of physical exercise WE get LOTS more of here,follow?And them too.

Pete

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by adventuro on Oct 4, 2005

Flacas over 40? My wife was 42 when I met her, 5'5" and 110 pounds. They used to call her "Barbie" at the Coltejer textile plant in Itaqui. Her three sisters also have classic Colombiana figures and are quite pleasing to look at as well. I see plenty of older Colombian women with astonishing bodies. However, you may very well be right and I am seeing the exceptions. What part of Colombia are you familiar with?

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

Thank you for comments.  I am also curious about the specific states and cities you have lived in.  The points you mention can be true for a region or group, but not for the US as a whole.

For example, the cold/warm point for Americans tends to run that in the large cities and their suburbs people are cold but in the smaller towns people are very warm.

Your music/rhythm point is wrong.  That is an artifact of the less than socially adept men who patronize to the marriage agencies.  You clearly have never heard of the Limelight, Danceteria, or the Tunnel, all extremely popular dance clubs in Manhattan, where artists like Madonna started their careers.  Nor of any of the hyper popular dance clubs in South Beach, Miami.  The style of dance is also very different in the US.  An American might be very good at line dancing to country music, but fail miserably at merengue.

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by Brazilophile on Oct 4, 2005

BP,

South Beach IS South America. ;-) -TNC

... in response to Re: Re: Differences in culture!  US and ..., posted by thundernco on Oct 4, 2005

Growing up in south Florida I've always heard it to be that "Miami is the capital of Latin America."

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Differences in culture!  US ..., posted by CelticUrge on Oct 5, 2005

When I traveled here as a kid – it was basically Cubans and gringos.  Now, with maybe the exception of the gringos that frequent S Beach – Miami is Latin America.  I am the only gringo living in my large complex, my gym, etc.  Stores have bilingual signage and the announcements at the neighborhood WalMart are in Spanish.  You need to speak some Spanish now to communicate in many sections of Miami.  The Latinas here are no different than AW, maybe even more so wish to socialize among themselves including the Colombianas which speaks volumes as to the real motivation with respect to foreign romance – economics! Maybe to a lesser extent - males in foreign lands are less committal than those living here and are kids in a candy store. To that end, the chances of me getting a date with a attractive Latina here in miami say even just 15 years younger than me - probably 0

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

What parts or part of the US are you familiar with?

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005


"In the mean time, I’m always open for questions" = Caro

Are you still OPENED to receive and ANSWER emails as you had stated before, or was that just a colombiana tease ??? :P

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

[This message has been edited by Cali James]

"To be honest, we care about everybody, we love to know about people’s life and stories, we gossip all the time, it’s weird, but it’s almost like we care TOO MUCH about what other people say about us, that’s a major difference between the US and Colombia."

I tend to agree, Colombians in general seem to care very much what others think of them or how they are perceived by others. North Americans tend to be more independent and care less about what others think.  To be honest, I think it's a superficial type of caring but North Americans can be that way too.

I don't think Colombians in general are any more caring than North Americans if you look at caring in a broad sense.  Yes they are friendly people but outside their immediate family, there's a lack of trust among many of them.  Many are suspicious, not trusting in others or in the institutions that help make up an advanced society. I can understand the distrust as corruption has penetrated all aspects of society from government to the churches.  I think this and many other things has created a society that is schizophrenic, very friendly at one level but not engaged or indifferent at an other.  Colombians have become so disillusioned that they just let all the bad things around them happen, their heads are in the sand. I love the Colombian family but outside of it, things are a lot more cloudy.

An example of indifference or not wanting to get involved happened in my wife's family a few years back.  My wife's brother who was riding a moto was run over by a bus in broad day light.  He was just left in the street to die basicly.  Noone on the street took the time to stop and call the police or a hospital.  Maybe people didn't know what to do, I understand Colombian society is less organized when it comes to stuff like that.  But the kicker is this, some walker by who didn't have time to call an ambulance apparently did have time to steal his wallet. Truly amazing, I don't think this would happen in North America or maybe I'm naive but I think someone would call 911 or stop to help.

I'm told that North Americans are colder than Colombians and on the surface I agree but look a little deeper, I think it's more complex.

... in response to Re: Differences in culture!  US and Colo..., posted by Cali James on Oct 4, 2005

[This message has been edited by jediknight]

these are very good points. colombian girlfriends that i've dated in the past have told me that in colombia when something happens, you turn and run the other way, you dont get involved, its not becuase they are indifferent, cold or callous, they are taught from a very young age to get away from the fire or else you may be the next victim. one day in nyc i was with a colombiana ex and noticed that a car that was about to stop at a red light did not have  its lights on, i  signaled to the driver until he realized what i was telling him, my ex thought i was crazy for getting involved, she thought the guy was going to jump out and beat the hell out of me, but this is part of their culture. also, we are more direct when it comes to saying what is on our minds, colombians  are afraid of confrontation or offending anyone. americans have no problem in telling someone, even a perfect stranger that they just got a bad haircut, colombians will never say it to your face. you will always hear...me da pena decirselo...which means i'm too embarrassed to tell him. they use "pena" a lot and i get so sick of it because it prevents them from, not only saying what is on their mind, but also prevents them from asking questions for fear of appearing dumb or being embarrased for asking. case in point, my fiancee had not gotten paid at work for 2 weeks (typical in colombia) so i told her to tell her boss that she doesn't work for free and to find out when she was getting paid. my fiance would say..como se te ocurre or me da pena preguntarle. these are some of the differences that bother me.
JK

... in response to Differences in culture!  US and Colombia, posted by darolina1 on Oct 4, 2005

Thanks very much for responding to this question. Your responses were exactly what I thought they might be. I am very interested in seeing what else you add to this if you want to post any more examples.