Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2016 23:11:07 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. Why one would need to go to the physical branch of his bank do handle such a thing in the first place? No wonder why Colombian banks are so expensive: They're living in the dark ages of banking, and generate costs due to outdated procedures, tools, and rules.
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 21, 2016 7:04:06 GMT -5
I always get a kick out of how crowded Colombian bank branches are - its like from the 70's in the US. I work out of the offices in several of buildings that have branches on the first floor throughout Florida - in the branch its like a ghost-town most of the time, I keep waiting to see tumbleweeds roll by. The drive thru's stay busy however - if people do go to a branch - they don't want to get out of the car - I can't recall seeing a drive thru in Colombia.
Just a comment on the original topic - Colombian culture - it is what it is, and a 100, 1,000 or 100,000 gringos aren't going to change it.
I have not seen it much in Colombia - but in Panama - lots of newbie ex-pats bitching constantly that the locals don't do things like they did back home, many of them got disenchanted and moved back. I remember having a conversation with an older Panamanian attorney - he said Panamanians knew that a lot of things were screwed up - but that was the culture and wasn't going to change - so they just did not worry about such things.
|
|
|
Post by ozgringo on Sept 21, 2016 7:39:44 GMT -5
I always get a kick out of how crowded Colombian bank branches are - its like from the 70's in the US. I work out of the offices in several of buildings that have branches on the first floor throughout Florida - in the branch its like a ghost-town most of the time, I keep waiting to see tumbleweeds roll by. The drive thru's stay busy however - if people do go to a branch - they don't want to get out of the car - I can't recall seeing a drive thru in Colombia. Just a comment on the original topic - Colombian culture - it is what it is, and a 100, 1,000 or 100,000 gringos aren't going to change it. I have not seen it much in Colombia - but in Panama - lots of newbie ex-pats bitching constantly that the locals don't do things like they did back home, many of them got disenchanted and moved back. I remember having a conversation with an older Panamanian attorney - he said Panamanians knew that a lot of things were screwed up - but that was the culture and wasn't going to change - so they just did not worry about such things. And to think only 39% of the Colombian adult population actually have a bank account.
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 21, 2016 7:58:59 GMT -5
My wife likes to go into the branch here when she makes a deposit - I tell - what the heck are you doing , no one goes inside - but she likes the human interaction -
|
|
|
Post by redriver on Sept 21, 2016 8:01:50 GMT -5
Whenever i see the pace of construction at a snails pace. Or has stated that it seems that Colombians are living in Medevil times. I always ask my wife where does she live? To which she replies "Colombia"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 9:23:32 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. Yes, indeed, Northern Europe! Sorry to leave them out... I was just trying to avoid a run-on sentence... LOL.
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 21, 2016 10:36:05 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. Yes, indeed, Northern Europe! Sorry to leave them out... I was just trying to avoid a run-on sentence... LOL. I know, I was just trying to hear from Dan
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 21, 2016 10:50:09 GMT -5
I always get a kick out of how crowded Colombian bank branches are - its like from the 70's in the US. I work out of the offices in several of buildings that have branches on the first floor throughout Florida - in the branch its like a ghost-town most of the time, I keep waiting to see tumbleweeds roll by. The drive thru's stay busy however - if people do go to a branch - they don't want to get out of the car - I can't recall seeing a drive thru in Colombia. Just a comment on the original topic - Colombian culture - it is what it is, and a 100, 1,000 or 100,000 gringos aren't going to change it. I have not seen it much in Colombia - but in Panama - lots of newbie ex-pats bitching constantly that the locals don't do things like they did back home, many of them got disenchanted and moved back. I remember having a conversation with an older Panamanian attorney - he said Panamanians knew that a lot of things were screwed up - but that was the culture and wasn't going to change - so they just did not worry about such things. The truth is that most know that commenting is not going to change the culture - most don't actually want to, but 99.99999% of every news site across the world is full of content that the guy on the street can't influence. On here there are posts everyday about everything from Venezuela to Hilary Clinton to the situation in Syria and none of it is in any way shape or form influenced by a few gringos sat in Colombia and yet most of these subjects are worthy of comment and a forum like this is probably the only way to do so. The guy who normally lets his ridgeback run free across my compound now has it on a lead - maybe he'll muzzle it after it's bit someone, but for now my shouting at him has changed him a little. Apparently the woman who delivers my Sunday breakfast was inundated with posts on Facebook after she sent the things out late and completely wrong, and has said she'll do something about it - we'll see. For the record she isn't some poor Colombian trying to get by, she owns a large catering business and had approached a female business group (30,000 members on FB just in Bogotá!) and asked for membership and recommendations, the group promoted her business and as soon as it became popular she drifted back into her own Colombian ways - exactly what the group wants to avoid. I agree that bitching in itself is futile - except as stress relief - but in my opinion the foreigners in Colombia have improved the country without just trying to turn it into another Disneyland.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 12:21:35 GMT -5
Some ex-pats are actually married to a Colombian---have assets in Colombia as in a --house-car--business--etc---etc and contributed to the country--(though being married to a Colombian can be a class of cultures--particularly if in the kitchen)
Many on these website blow smoke---chastising the country----some asking supposed intelligent questions-- however some being trolls -- as the next day seem to have all the answers from their question of the day previously--then belittle those who make reasonable responses to the original question----answers learned from living here and dealing in everyday life around Colombians--
While some ex-pats expect Colombians do things the same way as ex-pas do back home--the ex-pats living here acquiesce to the culture--
|
|
|
Post by billforce on Sept 21, 2016 12:36:33 GMT -5
I always get a kick out of how crowded Colombian bank branches are - its like from the 70's in the US. I work out of the offices in several of buildings that have branches on the first floor throughout Florida - in the branch its like a ghost-town most of the time, I keep waiting to see tumbleweeds roll by. The drive thru's stay busy however - if people do go to a branch - they don't want to get out of the car - I can't recall seeing a drive thru in Colombia. Just a comment on the original topic - Colombian culture - it is what it is, and a 100, 1,000 or 100,000 gringos aren't going to change it. I have not seen it much in Colombia - but in Panama - lots of newbie ex-pats bitching constantly that the locals don't do things like they did back home, many of them got disenchanted and moved back. I remember having a conversation with an older Panamanian attorney - he said Panamanians knew that a lot of things were screwed up - but that was the culture and wasn't going to change - so they just did not worry about such things. The truth is that most know that commenting is not going to change the culture - most don't actually want to, but 99.99999% of every news site across the world is full of content that the guy on the street can't influence. On here there are posts everyday about everything from Venezuela to Hilary Clinton to the situation in Syria and none of it is in any way shape or form influenced by a few gringos sat in Colombia and yet most of these subjects are worthy of comment and a forum like this is probably the only way to do so. The guy who normally lets his ridgeback run free across my compound now has it on a lead - maybe he'll muzzle it after it's bit someone, but for now my shouting at him has changed him a little. Apparently the woman who delivers my Sunday breakfast was inundated with posts on Facebook after she sent the things out late and completely wrong, and has said she'll do something about it - we'll see. For the record she isn't some poor Colombian trying to get by, she owns a large catering business and had approached a female business group (30,000 members on FB just in Bogotá!) and asked for membership and recommendations, the group promoted her business and as soon as it became popular she drifted back into her own Colombian ways - exactly what the group wants to avoid. I agree that bitching in itself is futile - except as stress relief - but in my opinion the foreigners in Colombia have improved the country without just trying to turn it into another Disneyland. Bitching is like water off a ducks back. After being married to a Paisa for 17 years and me complaining about the same little annoyances with zero change all I get is, "You are in Colombia, it isn't going to change one bit so get used to it". Simple things like double parking on a main thoroughfare, "OH, I'm just going to be a minute". Ten minutes later she tries to explain that some other creep in front of her caused a problem so her being late was justified. My reply, "Do you realize that every S.O.B. in Colombia has the same M.O., "OH I'll just be a minute so it justifies BAD BEHAVIOR". They can't assimilate that bad behavior effects everyone in the country when everyone pushes the envelope everything comes to a halt. Rules are generally created for the betterment of the masses, this concept is never assimilated in Colombia, here it "every man for himself" attitude. I still "****" to no avail except like Suba says, it relieves stress MAYBE. It all starts as babies and they don't teach it here. I grew up in rural SoCal. in a middle class family and from the time I was at the "age of reasoning" I was taught that you never do anything that adversely impacts others IF you can prevent it. IE: stopping right in the middle of a two lane road to check your tires or what. If you have a perceived problem in the U.S. the first thing you do is search for a place to get the hell out of the way of others, here just the opposite, you do what is convenient for YOU and to hell with the other guy. I have never in 17 years here been able to accept the concept of F..k the other guy, I do what is best for me or my family. I am "smarter" than you, I am better than you, I'm special because the rules don't apply to ME. The concept of "waiting your turn" doesn't apply here, you PUSH your way whether it's in your car or walking or cutting in line. There is NO concept of FAIR PLAY and WAITING YOUR TURN out of simple respect. Colombia needs to adopt the Japanese culture of RESPECT for your fellow man. If you have a cold in Japan you wear a "face mask" not for YOUR benefit but out of respect for your fellow man around you, you don't want him to catch a cold because of you. It starts as babies and here babies are taught to TAKE ADVANTAGE of ALL but still maintain the air of respect by saying, OH, I wouldn't do that but in fact you do. Denial is the greatest attribute of Colombians, as long as you deny or have an "excuse" it's perfectly acceptable, actual performance is secondary. I most often phrase heard in Colombia is "It's not my fault", if you can shunt the fault off on someone else that's perfectly acceptable without any real explanation. As long as you can absolve yourself of fault then pretty soon the fault doesn't exist anymore and the BEAT GOES ON.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 14:31:01 GMT -5
Yada yada yada ho-hum yawn, same BS over and over and over and over again and again yada yada yada ho- hum yawn!
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 21, 2016 15:35:37 GMT -5
Yada yada yada ho-hum yawn, same BS over and over and over and over again and again yada yada yada ho- hum yawn! Unlike your insightful post.
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 21, 2016 15:44:52 GMT -5
I will say one thing Colombians do better than gringos ( speaking in general terms) they take much better care of their elderly family members -my wife still can't comprehend that my 81 year old mother lives by herself - but my mom likes her independence and is in great shape, but she knows she always has a invite from my wife to move in with us. Not sure my brothers would do the same - probably find her a nice retirement community - my wife would never do that - she needs to be with family she would say.
Family also takes in family with out too much fuss - someone is struggling - no matter how little room there is - they will always find a bed for someone, this extends to visitors too - our apartment in Envigado is sometimes like a hotel - people ( friends /family) when visiting Medellin never stay in a hotel - always with someone - what I don't get - even if they have to bunk 3 to a bed and even if they have money - I am just the opposite - give me a nice hotel - I don't want to be crammed into a house with 8 other family members - but my wife always points out - it is normal for Colombians - and my retort is always - I am not Colombian - like a bit of space and privacy. Sometimes I think they find it a little insulting that I won't stay in our apartment when visiting Medellin - but I just blame it on my gringoness.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 15:45:44 GMT -5
I'm inclined to agree with Bill Force's perception of Colombian attitudes and behavior. I am married to a paisa as well, who has lived in the US. She did not enjoy American culture, and was very happy when I retired, sold the house and moved to Colombia for good. Having said that, she gives Americans credit where credit is due... such as the common courtesies and respect (usually) extended in public, and the organizational abilities of private enterprise and most governmental agencies.
I am in my sixth year of living over here. And in spite of some of its warts, I would rather be living in Colombia than the US. I feel a sense of freedom over here, that I somehow lost over the past two decades that I lived in America. It's OK to **** once in awhile, but don't let it get the best of you. Colombia is not the US, and I will be the first to say that Colombia is not for everyone.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 18:38:23 GMT -5
After 16 years to Colombia--typically 3-4 times a year back and forth--(my dual passport carrying Colombia wife preferring to stay in Colombia)--Think it depends on family back home / business venture / affordability / one's general background in life--if one wants to just exist until death comes knocking--running away or hiding from someone / something ---
Colombia is what it is---much of the population has little class or education -- and where there is class--costs money----one can not hunt per say--not have weapons legally per say--roads are second class and full of potholes--Small towns with open meat markets with cuts of livestock which was about to to die anyway --trash on the streets--a good restaurant the same price as home --traveling where there are few good hotels except in large cities as a Hilton and Marriott--
Colombians with visas and having any money----go to the states to visit--and many more would live there if able--and others living there would not return to live permanently in Colombia for any reason--
Colombians think ex-pats have money--which automatically puts ex-pats on a higher social order than the average Colombian--a feel good for ex-pats--
Freedom here--most Colombians keep doors locked if able to afford a lock--others do not have anything to lock up anyway--security is what they think about in Colombia--the higher the class--the more preoccupied they are--
The states--depends on where one is from--South Texas has many Mexicans --so Colombian culture is the same for the most part--nothing new or exciting--the same mas tarde--except here we have good roads / beef / have weapons with no hassle/ hunt with no hassle--and are not still completely subjugated as one is in the liberal east and west coast states--
A U.S. passport is still gold for many reasons--most ex-pats retired live off their U.S. pensions / social security checks / 401 k,s etc
If Colombia were to go the same as Venezuela etc--or for any other reason--that U.S. passport / British passport / Aussie passport still says--- go to the head of the line-- nothing as home in the end--
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 21, 2016 19:10:28 GMT -5
Pretty mellow culture shock compared to a lot of places in the world though.
|
|
|
Post by wildstubby on Sept 21, 2016 21:34:11 GMT -5
As one who continues to live ashore, (my sailor coming out), I go to Colombia with eyes wide open. This is the culture, plain and simple. I saw similar cultural modes when I went to Spain, France and Italy. How the family unit stays together impressed me the most! Old generation tends to the 3rd generation while the 2nd generation goes out and are the bread winners. Its like perpetual motion. Although the same lackadaisical attitudes are there also. The double parking, the 'get what we can' etc!
|
|
|
Post by sedelen on Sept 22, 2016 11:56:50 GMT -5
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?? I do. One card, ATM would be cancelled if they believe I'm living in Colombia, I have another, and they both require trip plans. The Discover card just isn't widely accepted here, so I don't even bother with it anymore. I can do online purchases though from Stateside web-sites without any problem though.
|
|
|
Post by elexpatriado on Sept 22, 2016 13:02:19 GMT -5
Family also takes in family with out too much fuss - someone is struggling - no matter how little room there is - they will always find a bed for someone, this extends to visitors too - our apartment in Envigado is sometimes like a hotel - people ( friends /family) when visiting Medellin never stay in a hotel - always with someone - what I don't get - even if they have to bunk 3 to a bed and even if they have money - I am just the opposite - give me a nice hotel - I don't want to be crammed into a house with 8 other family members - but my wife always points out - it is normal for Colombians - and my retort is always - I am not Colombian - like a bit of space and privacy. Sometimes I think they find it a little insulting that I won't stay in our apartment when visiting Medellin - but I just blame it on my gringoness. Funny how that works when there is a Gringo footing he bill.. The way I was raised, we call those people "Leaches" Although it depends how long they stay.. House Guests are like fish.. After 4 days, they start to stink..
|
|
|
Post by buenopues on Sept 22, 2016 18:19:57 GMT -5
redriver said: Usually some Ozzy or classic Black Sabbath will work also! I think whale songs cranked up might do the trick.
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 22, 2016 20:13:53 GMT -5
Its not a gringo thing - its just the culture - they always stay with family when visiting - if we did not have an apartment there - they would be staying with a tio, tia or primo - as I said before - I don't get it at times - they would rather jam themselves into a small apartment with family then stay in a hotel - to me its not a money thing , even ones with money who could stay somewhere in Poblado don't , its not because they are cheap - but family would be offended it they stayed somewhere else.
|
|
|
Post by billforce on Sept 22, 2016 22:58:41 GMT -5
Even though I offered a rant I still love living in Colombia, my BASIC complaint is the lack of respect that Colombian's have for other Colombian's. I don't matter, I'm a Gringo but after working and traveling in may countries even in Africa I have never seen such SELFISH people. Colombian's do not respect their fellow man but instead try to "upstage" or "screw" them at every turn. I can't understand what they are afraid of, maybe losing what they have? Life here is like a futbol game, if you are lucky enough to have the ball once in a while there are 6 guys trying to take it away from you.
|
|
|
Post by wildstubby on Sept 23, 2016 6:12:07 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by suba on Sept 23, 2016 6:21:37 GMT -5
I was in a hospital yesterday waiting patiently for someone to take their change before I was served my coffee, as I started a speak a doctor shouts out from behind me and the girl starts serving him. I just turn around and spend my money elsewhere. Being honest if doctors act like this here then it's not going to change.
|
|
|
Post by redriver on Sept 23, 2016 6:49:00 GMT -5
I'm a Gringo and Proud of It!
Suba: I witnessed the same attitude when my wife was conducting a money transaction at the mall. A man just walks up to the window and started talking to the cashier. I had to give my wife credit when she told the man to backoff and then the cashier stated to the man to wait for his turn. So perhaps some Colombian men think that women here should be subserveant? Or perhaps this person was just a jerk?
|
|
|
Post by billyb on Sept 23, 2016 8:51:37 GMT -5
Women of a certain age, are, by far, worse than any man when it comes to jumping the line in Colombia.
|
|
|
Post by jabberwocky on Sept 23, 2016 10:43:01 GMT -5
When I lived in Colombia and was early in my relationship with the wife- when we saw someone jump the line - I would remark to her - if you tried that in the US you better be ready to fight - line jumping is a big no-no to most gringos.
While my wife is a pretty headstrong Paisa - she put up with line jumpers when living in Colombia - after living in the States a few years - I have seen her call out people in Medellin trying to jump the line when we visit.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 17:36:21 GMT -5
Currently we have to pay our rent monthly via a "carta de recaudo" of the real estate broker. Is a Bancolombia card (also my bank). Impossible to arrange an online payment to their account.
The procedure is the following:
1. withdraw cash from the Bancolombia ATM with my own Bancolombia debit card. More than 4 times due its ridiculously low amounts of limits 2. deposit the cash in the Recaudo Bancolombia ATM with the recaudo Bancolombia card of the real estate agent, in cash, just next to it!!! 3. Lost charges 4 times on withdrawing 4. Lost charges on depositing 5. Lost loads of time in two queues 6. The real estate agent calls 10 days AFTER we deposited to say we didn´t pay, probably a way to hide they can´t see it theirselves in this system
I checked a few times with Bancolombia and the employee keeps saying its impossible to do otherwhise and can´t figure it out myself, although it seems everybody is doing it. This must be the most insane transaction I have ever seen.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Sept 23, 2016 18:30:25 GMT -5
Unfortunately @mono payments like you just described are fairly common in Colombia and like most people you are probably wondering why they make it so difficult for you to give them money.......you would think they would welcome your money and make it as quick and easy as possible for you to fork out the funds .....but the real reason behind the procedure is to actually make it more difficult for the employees to steal the money before it gets to the boss.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 19:40:56 GMT -5
Currently we have to pay our rent monthly via a "carta de recaudo" of the real estate broker. Is a Bancolombia card (also my bank). Impossible to arrange an online payment to their account. The procedure is the following: 1. withdraw cash from the Bancolombia ATM with my own Bancolombia debit card. More than 4 times due its ridiculously low amounts of limits 2. deposit the cash in the Recaudo Bancolombia ATM with the recaudo Bancolombia card of the real estate agent, in cash, just next to it!!! 3. Lost charges 4 times on withdrawing 4. Lost charges on depositing 5. Lost loads of time in two queues 6. The real estate agent calls 10 days AFTER we deposited to say we didn´t pay, probably a way to hide they can´t see it theirselves in this system I checked a few times with Bancolombia and the employee keeps saying its impossible to do otherwhise and can´t figure it out myself, although it seems everybody is doing it. This must be the most insane transaction I have ever seen. I pay bills using the Bancolombia Facturanet and doing immediate transfer to a realtor, colegio and EMI medical using my Bancolombia account. It saves me a lot of time, but sometimes I catch my wife doing it the old-fashioned way. Some habits are hard to break.
|
|