The Cali shuffle

[Pete E]

People in cali walk real slow.At first it drives you crazy.Especially at places like Chipi Chapi.Its like they have all the time in the world.And they pay no attention at all to just stepping in front of you and then maybe just stopping.I used to wonder if my excould hurry up if a wild animal was chasing her.Yes,she can move when she jogs with the dog.But thats not walking.
Yesterday I decided to just go with the flow and adopt the snail pace.When you walk like that you do really slow down,its kind of relaxing untill my old responses kick in and I want to get somewhere.
Margareth told me I am like a man at work.What?She said its like I am in a hurry,pushing to get somewhere.
Along the line of snails pace,the gym I was working out at just closed for 3 weeks for the holidays.Even the last time I was there they had half of it roped off at 6 PM for the convenience of the cleaning lady.
And,after 2 weeks of not even getting a call returned on the apartment I want to rent this little ditz who works for the owner says her advice is to get 2 co signers with property in Colombia.We told her about the year up front,she says that makes no difference to the owner.I doubt she even asked him.Margareth says we should talk directly to his lawyer,but that might be even more of a make yourself important this is the way we do it experience.
I'm just going to give them my imformation,offer the year up front and say I want an answer in 2 days.In the meantime I am looking again.Nothing may EVER happen with these people.
Seems there is another catagory of more gringo savy realtor types.But everything they show you costs alot more.
I guess its like the walking,if you don't slow down to their pace they drive you nuts.
I applied for a bank account in Panama.It took 6 weeks and lots of information for them to say no.I told them the only thing worse than a no was a very slow no.And that just about anybody can open a bank account in 20 miniutes in the US.I applied for a bank accout in Denmark.Immediately approved.All the wanted was a copy of my passport.
See a pattern here that might relate to gross national product???Do they ever wonder or get a clue why their economy is in the banos??
But they do have the senioritas.All walking very slow but most showing off a great body.There is a reason we put up with all the other nonsense.

Pete

[greg]

... in response to The Cali shuffle, posted by Pete E on Jan 8, 2004

their fine Butts, remind me of the Latina movie "Malena" starring beautiful Monica Bellucci, a must see movie.

[greg]

... in response to Senioritas walking slow twisting , posted by greg on Jan 8, 2004

a must see for Brazilian Lovers. Starring Michael Caine, Michelle Johnson, Joseph Bologna and Demi Moore arrives in Rio de Janeiro(barely unpacked before this infamous pleasure spot begins to cast its torrid spell). This comedy movie can give us old Gleezers thats suffering rejection from young AWs in ole USA something to look forward to. Seems like AM are brainwashed into feeling undesireable by AW. Sometimes watching a good Latina movie can encourage Guys like myself to get off the Fence. Good Luck everybody that choose to travel outside America for a Good Wife.

[Calipro]

... in response to The Cali shuffle, posted by Pete E on Jan 8, 2004

Pete

I took a girl friend of mine to the bank to open a savings account in Cali. She got refused. Seems you need to have a job before you can open a bank account. Also I couldn't open one with just a tourist visa either. It's a good thing I'm not in a hurry to do business in Colombia. I did rent an apartment in about 4 hours though. I must have gotten lucking on that one.

[denvermike]

... in response to The Cali shuffle, posted by Pete E on Jan 8, 2004

Hi Pete,

It is not just Cali, welcome to Latin America.  

The slow walking and the lack of what we consider just common courtesy when walking in a public place doesn´t exist.  It is all part of the culture that you are just beginning to understand.

The walking into you thing, with the men it is a macho thing and the women just expect you to get the hell out of the way, I guess.  Cutting in line is an art form in Santiago.  I won´t put up with it anymore.  Last time a women cut in line in front of me, I grabbed the collar of her dress, and without saying a word directed her to the back of the line. The look on her face was priceless. Older people and pregnant women (which is about 50% of the women) have free range and they are an exception in this culture, but anybody else, no way.

I have friend who is a really big guy, on the street he likes to bowl them over including women and then cuss them out in perfect obscene Spanish.

You have entered a culture where no one, and I mean no one trusts anyone when it comes to money, rent payments or whatever.  Play hard  ball when it comes to money, be downright nasty if needed. In general, I am not this way, I have had to learn. When I go look for a new apartment or anything where the price is not fixed I try to have a local friend make the contact and establish the price before they know it is a gringo, or otherwise the price goes up dratmatically, or the so called gringo tax.

Watch bills and restaurtant tabs carefully restaurtants, they will try to add a little something extra!!

What is the old saying, trust but verify.  When you catch them cheating you, give them hell, they will actually respect you for it, otherwise they think you are a fool.

You will find many more interesting cultural differences the longer you live there.  

As you find them, relate them to the board, it is amusing and informative for the other guys.  

mike