|
Post by suba on Sept 18, 2016 10:37:38 GMT -5
From trivial matters to the most important, the culture here, the attitude to everything, is to simply accept it because it's just too much hassle to do anything about it.
As an example of one of the really trivial things - annoying nevertheless - we order a breakfast delivery on Sundays. The night before, you place your order and the time you want the delivery. It's relatively expensive but very good - usually. Because we are regular customers we now suffer from the Colombia culture of "whatever", today it was an hour late (apparently the delivery guy was late) no phone call or text or anything, and when it arrived the order was completely wrong, not by a little - completely. We sent it back and they've lost a customer.
Trivial yes, but typical here.
The peace process is another example of Colombians shrugging their shoulders and saying "whatever". 5 years of talking with known mass murderers and terrorists in Havana at the tax payers expense, and then less than 4 weeks to debate and explain the outcome. I've yet to meet one single Colombian who has any idea of what the document entails. They argue over whether the vote should be yes or no, yet none of them know what happens whatever the outcome - be that yes or no - because no detailed debate has been allowed.
Apparently the question is whether Colombians want peace or war - as if that's a question that ever has to be asked.
They've just stuck a note on the outside of my door saying that from 10am today until 10am tomorrow, my water - and everyone else's in the building - will be off (it's 10.30am), the note wasn't there 15 minutes ago. Admin say whoever was responsible turned up late for work this morning. I don't give a toss, will shower under a hose if I have to, the women with young babies and children are buying bags of water to wash and drink and boil. The attitude - "whatever".
Maybe it's a good thing? Next time there's a few deaths because buses just drive through red lights, mainly because of this attitude (and because they're bigger than cars) I should just just shrug and order another breakfast?
|
|
|
Post by redriver on Sept 18, 2016 11:28:24 GMT -5
In my apartment our neighbor was playing their music loud. I cranked up our sterio and opened our door to some AC/DC. They got the message and turned down the volume.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2016 17:57:44 GMT -5
In my apartment our neighbor was playing their music loud. I cranked up our sterio and opened our door to some AC/DC. They got the message and turned down the volume. LOL. That has a lot to do with who has the louder system. Like two years ago, I was reading a forum discussion about the (foreign) owner of a hotel in Sapzurro. Basically people were complaining because he was showing total lack of respect for the local communities. At first the discussion seemed pretty bad for the guy, shouting at the locals who were hanging out in front of his hotel, shouting at his personnel, complaining about the Colombians... And then a Colombian said something like "and he's putting his music so loud it annoys the whole neighborhood". Of course another person replied "Hey, but in this area, everybody is blasting music, so what's the problem?", and then the first guy replied "Yes, but he's playing electronic music. People here don't like it. It's a lack of respect!". I found that hilarious. So, if you're blasting music, play vallenato or cumbia, otherwise your neighbors will get pissed and will file a complaint to the police
|
|
|
Post by ozgringo on Sept 18, 2016 18:10:20 GMT -5
That is something I don't miss. The incompetence in Colombia is staggering Also, In the 3.5 years I lived in Cartagena I couldn't possibly remember all the unnecessary bureaucratic processes that impede with ones life.
Having said that I am looking forward to heading over for two months end of this year.
|
|
|
Post by wildstubby on Sept 18, 2016 20:14:58 GMT -5
redriver said: Usually some Ozzy or classic Black Sabbath will work also!
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 19, 2016 12:53:12 GMT -5
ear plugs can be your best friend in Colombia - load music, buses, motos and roosters - ciao.
|
|
|
Post by billforce on Sept 19, 2016 14:56:40 GMT -5
From trivial matters to the most important, the culture here, the attitude to everything, is to simply accept it because it's just too much hassle to do anything about it. As an example of one of the really trivial things - annoying nevertheless - we order a breakfast delivery on Sundays. The night before, you place your order and the time you want the delivery. It's relatively expensive but very good - usually. Because we are regular customers we now suffer from the Colombia culture of "whatever", today it was an hour late (apparently the delivery guy was late) no phone call or text or anything, and when it arrived the order was completely wrong, not by a little - completely. We sent it back and they've lost a customer. Trivial yes, but typical here. The peace process is another example of Colombians shrugging their shoulders and saying "whatever". 5 years of talking with known mass murderers and terrorists in Havana at the tax payers expense, and then less than 4 weeks to debate and explain the outcome. I've yet to meet one single Colombian who has any idea of what the document entails. They argue over whether the vote should be yes or no, yet none of them know what happens whatever the outcome - be that yes or no - because no detailed debate has been allowed. Apparently the question is whether Colombians want peace or war - as if that's a question that ever has to be asked. They've just stuck a note on the outside of my door saying that from 10am today until 10am tomorrow, my water - and everyone else's in the building - will be off (it's 10.30am), the note wasn't there 15 minutes ago. Admin say whoever was responsible turned up late for work this morning. I don't give a toss, will shower under a hose if I have to, the women with young babies and children are buying bags of water to wash and drink and boil. The attitude - "whatever". Maybe it's a good thing? Next time there's a few deaths because buses just drive through red lights, mainly because of this attitude (and because they're bigger than cars) I should just just shrug and order another breakfast? The last three purchases we have made at the Malls we've had to return to correct the billing, last one my wife bought me 2 pairs of shoes, and one for our maid and 2 more pair for her old Tia's, five pairs in all but they charged us for 6 (six), one was double charged for the same item. Anyone can make an error but when we returned to the store the clerk was nasty as hell and didn't want to admit she BLEW THE DUKE, we got out credit back on our card via the manager. Restaurant next, they double billed the beverages, it's like no one really pays attention.
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 19, 2016 15:02:58 GMT -5
Had to return a non functional purchase ( printer cartridge) to Amazon - it was 60 days past the refund policy limit - but chatted on line and they refunded the full amount - wife was in shock - no one in Colombia would ever think of doing something similar - told her its about keeping the customer happy and returning to purchase more - something I think that is just overlooked in Colombia ( in general) they tend to take the short term view - they win the battle and lose the war as the customer goes somewhere else next time for the purchase.
|
|
|
Post by redriver on Sept 19, 2016 15:10:06 GMT -5
One of the reasons that i tell my wife to double check the reciept. We went to the bank yesterday to pay down her credit card. Seems like going to the dentist to have your tooth pulled. The hassel you go through in checking in and then you see a middle man before you go to the teller and then back to the middle man to show them you paid. Why can't you just have a system where you just walk up to the teller directly? Anyways, made sure my wife got all of paperwork showing she paid. Told her that I'm sure that the bank just hates to lose money on the interest from a credit card.
|
|
|
Post by scumbuster on Sept 19, 2016 18:12:44 GMT -5
Like the overbilling is a mistake? The extra pair of shoes charged was going home with the sales woman that night. LOL I would say many times they know exactly what they are doing.
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 19, 2016 18:19:09 GMT -5
Happens too many times to be accidental. A couple of friends bought some beers two nights ago, I had told them which shop to go to but they made a mistake and went to the wrong one. Sure enough they were given 6 beers short. we had to go back and get the rest. There is no sense of shame on behalf of the shop owner, in fact they get a kick out of it if they can get away with it - similar to ripping off gringos in general, the fault is somehow ours if they can get away with it.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Sept 19, 2016 18:25:48 GMT -5
"The customer is always right." is what most of us are used to?
In Colombia the creed is, "The customer is always stupid".
It's not the retailer's fault that customers are so stupid that they won't notice that they have been over-charged or short-changed.
|
|
|
Post by saltador on Sept 19, 2016 18:29:33 GMT -5
Had to return a non functional purchase ( printer cartridge) to Amazon - it was 60 days past the refund policy limit - but chatted on line and they refunded the full amount - wife was in shock - no one in Colombia would ever think of doing something similar - told her its about keeping the customer happy and returning to purchase more - something I think that is just overlooked in Colombia ( in general) they tend to take the short term view - they win the battle and lose the war as the customer goes somewhere else next time for the purchase. This, and also agree with Suba above. You really find this in spades with the street vendors, or in those little tiendas. They don't understand, if you rip me off, I'm never coming back. Cut me a fair deal, and I'll be back a hundred times. Which way earns them more money?
|
|
|
Post by billforce on Sept 19, 2016 20:36:38 GMT -5
Happens too many times to be accidental. A couple of friends bought some beers two nights ago, I had told them which shop to go to but they made a mistake and went to the wrong one. Sure enough they were given 6 beers short. we had to go back and get the rest. There is no sense of shame on behalf of the shop owner, in fact they get a kick out of it if they can get away with it - similar to ripping off gringos in general, the fault is somehow ours if they can get away with it. This is the Colombian "Papaya syndrome", you don't give Papaya but by the same token if you don't "take advantage" of those that do give it you are considered a dunce. It's a feather in the cap if you cheat someone, perfectly acceptable but if you are honest you are considered a Bobo. What I find very peculiar that in a 97% Roman Catholic country why thievery is not considered a sin?
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 19, 2016 21:12:57 GMT -5
The dogs. And the "dogwalkers". They Call them " Cuidadores" but really they are "Descuidadores".. Let their group of 20 dogs run loose without leases (even the big ones) in the park, even though there are signs all over saying big dogs must be leased and muzzled.
I got to use my pepper spray on a couple big ones and the dog walker this week.
It worked pretty Good..
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 19, 2016 21:16:14 GMT -5
One of the reasons that i tell my wife to double check the reciept. We went to the bank yesterday to pay down her credit card. Seems like going to the dentist to have your tooth pulled. The hassel you go through in checking in and then you see a middle man before you go to the teller and then back to the middle man to show them you paid. Why can't you just have a system where you just walk up to the teller directly? Anyways, made sure my wife got all of paperwork showing she paid. Told her that I'm sure that the bank just hates to lose money on the interest from a credit card. You let your wife have a crédit card at 3% per month charge or whatever? Having a crédit card in Colombia is the height of financial incompetence.
|
|
|
Post by coolcoil on Sept 19, 2016 22:38:52 GMT -5
You let your wife have a crédit card at 3% per month charge or whatever? Having a crédit card in Colombia is the height of financial incompetence. What you say is true if you do not religiously pay the full balance each month. However, I pushed my wife to get a credit card so that she would have her own credit history. It is likely that she will outlive me by many years, as the women in her family have a typically live to close to 100 years and some make it past the century mark. If you always take 1 quota and make darn sure that you pay the bill, you can get some nice benefits. Her current card provides a 4% discount at PriceSmart, and with the appliances and other merchandise we bought there in the last year, we are way ahead of the game, even after the COP $10K monthly fee. However, she is going to drop that one in favor of an Exito card. The main benefit for us with that card is a 30% discount on meats every Saturday. Even if it only covers pork and beef, that's worth COP $80K to 120K per month to us. We considered the Falabella card, since it gets you significant discounts on many large items at Homecenter, though for those we just have a friend pay with their card and we reimburse them.
|
|
|
Post by sedelen on Sept 20, 2016 8:46:03 GMT -5
You let your wife have a crédit card at 3% per month charge or whatever? Having a crédit card in Colombia is the height of financial incompetence. What you say is true if you do not religiously pay the full balance each month. However, I pushed my wife to get a credit card so that she would have her own credit history. It is likely that she will outlive me by many years, as the women in her family have a typically live to close to 100 years and some make it past the century mark. If you always take 1 quota and make darn sure that you pay the bill, you can get some nice benefits. Her current card provides a 4% discount at PriceSmart, and with the appliances and other merchandise we bought there in the last year, we are way ahead of the game, even after the COP $10K monthly fee. However, she is going to drop that one in favor of an Exito card. The main benefit for us with that card is a 30% discount on meats every Saturday. Even if it only covers pork and beef, that's worth COP $80K to 120K per month to us. We considered the Falabella card, since it gets you significant discounts on many large items at Homecenter, though for those we just have a friend pay with their card and we reimburse them. I have seen some of the promotions at Exito, and you can do very well down here by using a credit card on promotions, steeper discounts, usually about 10% more. I don't have one, but have considered get one within the household here so I can take advantage.
|
|
|
Post by sedelen on Sept 20, 2016 8:54:57 GMT -5
Had to return a non functional purchase ( printer cartridge) to Amazon - it was 60 days past the refund policy limit - but chatted on line and they refunded the full amount - wife was in shock - no one in Colombia would ever think of doing something similar - told her its about keeping the customer happy and returning to purchase more - something I think that is just overlooked in Colombia ( in general) they tend to take the short term view - they win the battle and lose the war as the customer goes somewhere else next time for the purchase. You got to be careful with "Amazon" they are known to close accounts for returns, how many? Only they know. But you can find a lot of information on the Internet about it. www.theguardian.com/money/2016/mar/18/banned-by-amazon-returning-faulty-goods-blocked-credit-balance
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 20, 2016 9:22:28 GMT -5
Whenever I use a credit card I end up buying crap I didn't go in for. Doesn't matter if the discount is 80% that's still money I would have in my pocket if I hadn't taken the card.
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 20, 2016 9:46:16 GMT -5
What you say is true if you do not religiously pay the full balance each month. However, I pushed my wife to get a credit card so that she would have her own credit history. It is likely that she will outlive me by many years, as the women in her family have a typically live to close to 100 years and some make it past the century mark. If you always take 1 quota and make darn sure that you pay the bill, you can get some nice benefits. Her current card provides a 4% discount at PriceSmart, and with the appliances and other merchandise we bought there in the last year, we are way ahead of the game, even after the COP $10K monthly fee. However, she is going to drop that one in favor of an Exito card. The main benefit for us with that card is a 30% discount on meats every Saturday. Even if it only covers pork and beef, that's worth COP $80K to 120K per month to us. We considered the Falabella card, since it gets you significant discounts on many large items at Homecenter, though for those we just have a friend pay with their card and we reimburse them. I have seen some of the promotions at Exito, and you can do very well down here by using a credit card on promotions, steeper discounts, usually about 10% more. I don't have one, but have considered get one within the household here so I can take advantage. My Canadian card is paid off every month automatically draws the balance out of my account so there is zero inteest paid.. Has been that way for years. Only time I get charged is when I use the CC for a cash advantage, which only happened a couple times when I lost my debit card here in Colombia. And if I phone them right away and tell them to pay it off, its negligible.
|
|
|
Post by redriver on Sept 20, 2016 10:17:11 GMT -5
Don't mind having a credit card it's just that i hate paying the interest. I have been trying to we anda my wife on using credit cards. I bailed her out once on the cards when we were dating because she was using for household expenses to support the family. But that's another story for another day. But it's interesting now that we have our own place, that now the other family members still living in the house are able to pay the household expenses.
On the subject of dogs. I too see those whom i call special allowing their dogs to run around without a leash and letting them take a dump without picking it up afterwards. Even though there are signs everywhere in our subdivision stating to pick up the dogs crap.
Also, what's with Colombians seeming to want to talk louder than others in a coversation? We live in a subdivision with eight separate towers and you can clearly always hear three towers over one or two people trying to talk above the others.
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 20, 2016 12:23:01 GMT -5
I have a rottweiler and a street dog, a little mutt and both are always on leads and the rott always wears a muzzle outside. If other dogs come over the muzzle comes off before the other dog has a chance to inflict harm on him. Colombians have called me ignorant for doing this, they seem to think I should just let their unleashed untrained mutt rip chunks out of mine.
No chance, no lead, no muzzle. Never seen them run so fast once they see mine able to bite back. They walk around with the dogs leash around their necks as if it's their god given right.
Also, while I'm here, we have quite narrow paths in our compound, wide enough for only one person at a time, lots of green areas etc. Try staying on the path when Colombians walk towards you, they always without fail try to walk through me and force me onto the mud. Doesn't work, except for women and old people, they look at me as if that's their god given right too. Even the delivery boys ride up to you expecting you take a hike into the bushes.
|
|
|
Post by sedelen on Sept 20, 2016 13:43:15 GMT -5
I have seen some of the promotions at Exito, and you can do very well down here by using a credit card on promotions, steeper discounts, usually about 10% more. I don't have one, but have considered get one within the household here so I can take advantage. My Canadian card is paid off every month automatically draws the balance out of my account so there is zero inteest paid.. Has been that way for years. Only time I get charged is when I use the CC for a cash advantage, which only happened a couple times when I lost my debit card here in Colombia. And if I phone them right away and tell them to pay it off, its negligible. I miss using my credit card. I have only one card now, Discover. When I try to use it here, I get a hassle because I'm in Colombia, it always triggers a fraud inquiry, plus there's so few places that will accept it. But I used to charge everything to that card in the States, my statement would provide all the spending on it for a month. I would get cash back also, and I would pay the balance off every month. What a convenience.
|
|
|
Post by sedelen on Sept 20, 2016 13:47:41 GMT -5
In my apartment our neighbor was playing their music loud. I cranked up our sterio and opened our door to some AC/DC. They got the message and turned down the volume. Maybe they liked AC/DC! Play this for them at full volume! or give a long classic!
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 20, 2016 17:41:09 GMT -5
I have a rottweiler and a street dog, a little mutt and both are always on leads and the rott always wears a muzzle outside. If other dogs come over the muzzle comes off before the other dog has a chance to inflict harm on him. Colombians have called me ignorant for doing this, they seem to think I should just let their unleashed untrained mutt rip chunks out of mine. No chance, no lead, no muzzle. Never seen them run so fast once they see mine able to bite back. They walk around with the dogs leash around their necks as if it's their god given right. Also, while I'm here, we have quite narrow paths in our compound, wide enough for only one person at a time, lots of green areas etc. Try staying on the path when Colombians walk towards you, they always without fail try to walk through me and force me onto the mud. Doesn't work, except for women and old people, they look at me as if that's their god given right too. Even the delivery boys ride up to you expecting you take a hike into the bushes. You should just carry pepper spray. Then whne their dog threatens to bite yours, spray the owner and the dog with pepper spray, and call them Pendejo triplehijueputa malparido guevones..works for me
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 20, 2016 17:43:14 GMT -5
My Canadian card is paid off every month automatically draws the balance out of my account so there is zero inteest paid.. Has been that way for years. Only time I get charged is when I use the CC for a cash advantage, which only happened a couple times when I lost my debit card here in Colombia. And if I phone them right away and tell them to pay it off, its negligible. I miss using my credit card. I have only one card now, Discover. When I try to use it here, I get a hassle because I'm in Colombia, it always triggers a fraud inquiry, plus there's so few places that will accept it. But I used to charge everything to that card in the States, my statement would provide all the spending on it for a month. I would get cash back also, and I would pay the balance off every month. What a convenience. Thats weird, I have absolutely n problem with my Canadian card, use it every day, everywhere. And I told the fraud department I was living in Colombia years ago, so no problems there. You pay everthing casjh??
|
|
|
Post by caliconnection on Sept 20, 2016 20:56:13 GMT -5
I used to need to notify my bank if I was going to use my credit card in Colombia. They told me I don't need to notify them in the future.
The points on my credit cards pay for my air tickets to Colombia. I also do most of my shopping online. Couldn't live without it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2016 21:03:34 GMT -5
The culture in Colombia is quirky, and often irritating, by North American (Canada & US) standards. Over time, it does have an effect on many ex-pats... much like water dripping on a stone. Life here can be like an un-made bed. Nevertheless, the key to surviving here, is knowing which battles to fight, and which ones to avoid.
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 20, 2016 22:54:56 GMT -5
"The culture in Colombia is quirky, and often irritating, by North American (Canada & US) standards."
It's way more so compared to Northern Europe.
|
|