Some great insights into Colombian culture. Thanks for posting this. The discussion about people lying about things to keep from saying "no" is very true. Dudes, binge drinking is huge. It is not done in the same way as in the States, but anyone who has ever been to a party at a finca has seen adults of all ages drinking up a storm. Carolina's comments were very accurate.
Just sayin' #4... I noticed in several Latin American countries (Brazil and Colombia especially) they will give you the "conversational sandwich" meaning they open a conversation with "how is your family?" or "how is your health?" (the bread) then get into the purpose of the conversation (the meat) and then close out with "tell your family I said hello" or "I hope you are feeling better soon" (the other slice of bread). I think this is very polite and displays that you care for the person you are talking to, whereas in the USA, we commonly say "how ya doin'?" and don't even care to bother to listen to your response which is kind of flakey.
But sometimes it's almost like it's an automatic bot just sending you these messages to be "polite" rather than them actually caring about your answers lol I conform to their style but I personally would prefer if someone just asked me what they want lol
I live in the US and I feel like people are becoming less human and everyone is like I don't need people I'm in love with my dog or cat and I find that weird
Another thing I learned right away is to NEVER point with your finger! It is considered rude and confrontational. Colombians usually point by pursing their lips (as if blowing a kiss) it is much less confrontational and discreet.
@@AKJoel Agreed, this is also something I and all my friends and family do and I am from the US. Also, I mention to all my friends (ladies and fellas) to please let me know when they make it home. There is now even a song by Fullcrate called "Text me when you get home."
Manizales is on our list of possible retirement cities. These are very interesting but similar to some other Latin countries. We are traveling and currently in Nicaragua for a year.
The drinking thing may be true to middle class people from Medellin but alcoholism is a huge problems across all classes of,society in many regions such as La Guajira.
I've actually got a few comments saying that but I guess it's not all encompassing like in the US or Aus where everyone drinks regardless of income level
The 5th point you made about checkin in with the person to let them know you made it home. We do, do that in the USA however its normally after a long trip or after a family or friend who lives in a different city or state goes back home. Also checking in...used to be a lot more common before smartphones and cellphones really took over, when there were still payphones and people had pagers and landline phones in there houses...before the mid 2000s.
I feel like it's still common between women and femmes (U.S.) in my experience although here it's usually between close friends or family we just met up with.
One of the best parts of traveling in Colombia is acting exactly the opposite of the people, Ask direct questions, say NO, point at people with your hand, be honest about your feelings, esp bad ones. You will blow their mind. And usually they will laugh it off, you are a gringo after all. Otherwise this is not someone you want to hang out with. 😂
I’m not sure the ‘don’t binge drink’ thing applies to Venezuelans living in Colombia 😀 - I live for 6 months a year in Bucaramanga with Venezuelan friends in a neighbourhood with a lot of Venezuelans and they drink a lot - in parties - in clubs - in bars. Maybe it’s different if you live in an upmarket part of Medillin - love the content 👍
@@AKJoel My two cents is probably worth even less because my only experience with Colombian women (all in Medellin) has been with only one woman and the detail that likely invalidates my experience entirely is that the friendship was online from North America. She claimed and seemed to seldom go out at night or drink much, but the two nights she did she got wasted and slept much of the next day after staying until closing time of 3am. Maybe I don't understand, but that sounds like binge drinking to me.
Being straight is so very true. My friend was downstairs of my building and engaged me on all topics for about 2 hours and i asked him to come by - he then said what do you mean i have been downstairs in front of your building waiting for you for hours??????????????????
@@AKJoel hahaha I tell them the truth, but if I have not eaten yet they message me again to ask. I could understand if it was my mother but these are mid 20's men!
@@AKJoel and what is it with ice cream! They all want to go out for ice cream all the time? I even have taken pictures of my eating ice cream at home so they can be happy!
#1,2 and 4.. I am a direct person. I value other people's time as well as my own. I expect others to be respectful of that by not wasting it by beating around the bush. I find not being direct, disrespectful. The unique characteristic nick names is not so good. There is no making it cute. It's just rude to sum people up to a characteristic they have and refer to them by it. The elaborate lies is not for me. I get offended by them and lose respect for the liars. Tell it to me straight. I am an adult. All info that is good to know. Also very eye opening.
You got to get the context: Colombian say "adonde fueres, has lo que vieres", it means "wherever you go, do what you see". It´s a well known phrase in Colombia. It means, if you got to Colombia, you have to respect and adapt. No foreigner will adapt to that country if you don´t respect them and understand them. A direct person will be respected but not missed. Time goes in another mode there, so they care more for people over time (but not always and not anywhere). And about nick names, it means "you care for someone else", it means also you become part of their closest ring. It isn´t rude by no means. Even more when they use the final sillabe as "ito/ita", like "negrito" or "gordita" which means "little niger" and "little fatty", that means you´re a pretty close person to a Colombian: a close friend or lover.
Another one to add to the list: people will ask you how many children you have. If you say none and are older than a certain age, they will ask you why. (With the unspoken question being "Why hasn't someone of your age already had children?") If you say that you don't want children, people will look at you quizzically, as if the idea of choosing to not have children is a novel concept, and one which they had never before considered. And should a man make the cultural faux pas of saying that he is too old to start a family, he will be met with all kinds of replies about how men of his age--and indeed men much older than he is--can and do have children. While factually correct--men can have children well into their 70s and 80s--this argument highlights not only the differences between Colobian and other cultures as related to child rearing, but also the way in which culture affects language use. To wit: Whereas a Colombian is likely to interpret a man's statement about being too old to have children literally, someone from the US is more likely to correctly interpret the subtext contained in his statement (I _could_ start a family at my age, but I do not want to).
not all of us ..Santandereanos won't lie unless is very very importantor hurt a close friend un buen boyaco se puede beber mas de 100 cervezas en un dia y al clima y un buen santandereano mas de 15 litros de aguardienyte en un dia tambien, colombia no es medellin
I had dinner with a friend of mine and his girlfriend (who's from Boyaca) last night and I asked her about your comment! She laughed and said its 100% true LOL
"Its considered rude to be straight to the point"?? Isn't it more rude and shady to have a conversation about something random , waste another person's time and then say what you want to say regardless if its negative or not? I mean it sounds like at that point that the person had another agenda about something and was secretly hiding it for some reason. That is def weird
@@rafael8184why adapt? I'm never going to fit in. I will always stand out, So I should just be my authentic self. I am super happy to understand another person and why they do things, But I am a different kind of person and they can also understand me. That is the beautiful and interesting thing about meeting people from other cultures, understanding the differences and appreciating them. You are not going to go to China and try to act Chinese. But you should understand them and learn how to avoid misunderstandings while still remaining who you are.
Colombian chiming in. These “Things Colombians Do” musty applies among Colombians. Foreigners usually get a free pass. We don’t expect you to act like us. Hell, we’re more curious about your culture than you to ours. Cheers 🍻
I have to disagree on the drinking guys. Go to Boyaca and you guys won’t pick up the drinking cerveza 🍺 😂 Also the south of bogota. Oh my gos the drink like fish 🐠
📖JOIN The Masterclass: medellinmasterclass.com/
☎BOOK a Consult: medellinmasterclass.com/book-call/
Some great insights into Colombian culture. Thanks for posting this. The discussion about people lying about things to keep from saying "no" is very true.
Dudes, binge drinking is huge. It is not done in the same way as in the States, but anyone who has ever been to a party at a finca has seen adults of all ages drinking up a storm.
Carolina's comments were very accurate.
I've seen a few comments here saying that the drinking culture depends on which region of Colombia you're in - glad you enjoyed the vid!
Just sayin' #4... I noticed in several Latin American countries (Brazil and Colombia especially) they will give you the "conversational sandwich" meaning they open a conversation with "how is your family?" or "how is your health?" (the bread) then get into the purpose of the conversation (the meat) and then close out with "tell your family I said hello" or "I hope you are feeling better soon" (the other slice of bread).
I think this is very polite and displays that you care for the person you are talking to, whereas in the USA, we commonly say "how ya doin'?" and don't even care to bother to listen to your response which is kind of flakey.
But sometimes it's almost like it's an automatic bot just sending you these messages to be "polite" rather than them actually caring about your answers lol I conform to their style but I personally would prefer if someone just asked me what they want lol
I live in the US and I feel like people are becoming less human and everyone is like I don't need people I'm in love with my dog or cat and I find that weird
For MORE INFO on the Medellin Masterclass ► medellinmasterclass.com/
BOOK a 1 on 1 Consult with AK ► www.akjoel.com/consultations
Good stuff as always. I am enjoying the new conversations, but I am really looking forward to more street interviews!
I'll get back to them some day haha
Understatement of the year......"Colombian families are huge"
Another thing I learned right away is to NEVER point with your finger! It is considered rude and confrontational. Colombians usually point by pursing their lips (as if blowing a kiss) it is much less confrontational and discreet.
I didn't know that one! But pointing is rude in a lot of cultures, so I'm not surprised!
Hahaha!
I’m Colombian and this is very true.
Never point 👉
Never point people with u finger hahahaha its not cool here 😅
Not texting you're home must be an Australian or European thing then. Cuz it's definitely still a thing to Americans and Canadians too.
Yeah maybe, I never texted a date or got a text from a date back in Australia saying "hey I've arrived home safe" lol
@@AKJoel Agreed, this is also something I and all my friends and family do and I am from the US.
Also, I mention to all my friends (ladies and fellas) to please let me know when they make it home. There is now even a song by Fullcrate called "Text me when you get home."
Manizales is on our list of possible retirement cities. These are very interesting but similar to some other Latin countries. We are traveling and currently in Nicaragua for a year.
I've heard Manizales has a much slower pace of life and is much safer, definitely a great option for some!
We have only been to Bogota and that was many years ago so we are very excited to check out Manizales.
The drinking thing may be true to middle class people from Medellin but alcoholism is a huge problems across all classes of,society in many regions such as La Guajira.
I've actually got a few comments saying that but I guess it's not all encompassing like in the US or Aus where everyone drinks regardless of income level
The 5th point you made about checkin in with the person to let them know you made it home. We do, do that in the USA however its normally after a long trip or after a family or friend who lives in a different city or state goes back home. Also checking in...used to be a lot more common before smartphones and cellphones really took over, when there were still payphones and people had pagers and landline phones in there houses...before the mid 2000s.
Ahhh the 90s what a time to be alive hey!!
True. I want to get a pager. It would be funny to carry one around.
I feel like it's still common between women and femmes (U.S.) in my experience although here it's usually between close friends or family we just met up with.
La señorita colombiana lo ha explicado todo a la perfección. Es muy inteligente. Soy local.
Siii eso es la verdad!!
@paxtecum4814 ¿En realidad? Que interesante. Me encantaría tomar TU clase magistral también.
You can sign up here!
medellinmasterclass.com/
@@blendedrisk3330 "Es mejor pájaro en mano que del ahogado el sombrero."
One of the best parts of traveling in Colombia is acting exactly the opposite of the people, Ask direct questions, say NO, point at people with your hand, be honest about your feelings, esp bad ones. You will blow their mind. And usually they will laugh it off, you are a gringo after all. Otherwise this is not someone you want to hang out with. 😂
hahahaha good ice breaker I guess!
Great tips! Thanks guys.
Thanks for watching!
I don't know if someone texting you they are ok when they get home would be classified as "Crazy"😂.
haha true! crazy is strong, let's say "different" or "strange"
@@AKJoel 😂 keep up the great content 🤙🏽. Hearing things from a non 🇨🇴 is very interesting.
Cheers Diego!! Appreciate it 👍🏾
What would be "crazy" is actually the opposite
Disagree that this is crazy. In fact it is not that uncommon or unusual in the States.
I’m not sure the ‘don’t binge drink’ thing applies to Venezuelans living in Colombia 😀 - I live for 6 months a year in Bucaramanga with Venezuelan friends in a neighbourhood with a lot of Venezuelans and they drink a lot - in parties - in clubs - in bars. Maybe it’s different if you live in an upmarket part of Medillin - love the content 👍
Or maybe Venezuelans just like to drink more? haha cos I noticed in Mexico they love getting wasted
@@AKJoel I think you’re right 😀
@@AKJoel My two cents is probably worth even less because my only experience with Colombian women (all in Medellin) has been with only one woman and the detail that likely invalidates my experience entirely is that the friendship was online from North America. She claimed and seemed to seldom go out at night or drink much, but the two nights she did she got wasted and slept much of the next day after staying until closing time of 3am. Maybe I don't understand, but that sounds like binge drinking to me.
where u live, the santandereanos and the boyacos are the only ones who drink until fall on the ground
Being straight is so very true. My friend was downstairs of my building and engaged me on all topics for about 2 hours and i asked him to come by - he then said what do you mean i have been downstairs in front of your building waiting for you for hours??????????????????
Colombians drive crazy and reckless but they hate when you close the car doors too hard 🤡🤡🥴😂😂
Hahaha that's so true they attack the mountain curves like Schumacher but then cry about people slamming their doors 😂
@@AKJoel exactly, makes absolutely no sense at all. Priorities are in the wrong place🥴😂
I find it funny that all the people I know in Colombia ask me if I have eaten!
Haha and what do you say?
@@AKJoel hahaha I tell them the truth, but if I have not eaten yet they message me again to ask. I could understand if it was my mother but these are mid 20's men!
@@AKJoel and what is it with ice cream! They all want to go out for ice cream all the time? I even have taken pictures of my eating ice cream at home so they can be happy!
@@davidcruise4978because its ICE CREAM!! 🍨 🤠
The strato 3 and under crew binge drink. Aguardiente and pilsen until they are leafless 😂
Okay maybe that's what I'm missing 😂 can't say I have many friends in that demographic
I answered to questions yesterday, and i don't see medellin masterclass message in my email, even in the spam folder yet?
We'll resend it, you should get it in the next hour.
U guys are just cold hearted 🤣 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇦🇺…….
Hahaha we're not that bad are we!!
#1,2 and 4.. I am a direct person. I value other people's time as well as my own. I expect others to be respectful of that by not wasting it by beating around the bush. I find not being direct, disrespectful.
The unique characteristic nick names is not so good. There is no making it cute. It's just rude to sum people up to a characteristic they have and refer to them by it.
The elaborate lies is not for me. I get offended by them and lose respect for the liars. Tell it to me straight. I am an adult.
All info that is good to know. Also very eye opening.
Glad you found it insightful Karl 👍🏾
You got to get the context: Colombian say "adonde fueres, has lo que vieres", it means "wherever you go, do what you see". It´s a well known phrase in Colombia. It means, if you got to Colombia, you have to respect and adapt. No foreigner will adapt to that country if you don´t respect them and understand them. A direct person will be respected but not missed. Time goes in another mode there, so they care more for people over time (but not always and not anywhere). And about nick names, it means "you care for someone else", it means also you become part of their closest ring. It isn´t rude by no means. Even more when they use the final sillabe as "ito/ita", like "negrito" or "gordita" which means "little niger" and "little fatty", that means you´re a pretty close person to a Colombian: a close friend or lover.
Another one to add to the list: people will ask you how many children you have. If you say none and are older than a certain age, they will ask you why. (With the unspoken question being "Why hasn't someone of your age already had children?") If you say that you don't want children, people will look at you quizzically, as if the idea of choosing to not have children is a novel concept, and one which they had never before considered.
And should a man make the cultural faux pas of saying that he is too old to start a family, he will be met with all kinds of replies about how men of his age--and indeed men much older than he is--can and do have children. While factually correct--men can have children well into their 70s and 80s--this argument highlights not only the differences between Colobian and other cultures as related to child rearing, but also the way in which culture affects language use. To wit: Whereas a Colombian is likely to interpret a man's statement about being too old to have children literally, someone from the US is more likely to correctly interpret the subtext contained in his statement (I _could_ start a family at my age, but I do not want to).
Uh oh I haven't heard that yet - I'm 34 no kids lol
@@AKJoel You probably have a few more question-free years. If you're still childless when you hit 40, get ready to have to explain why...
not all of us ..Santandereanos won't lie unless is very very importantor hurt a close friend
un buen boyaco se puede beber mas de 100 cervezas en un dia y al clima y un buen santandereano mas de 15 litros de aguardienyte en un dia tambien, colombia no es medellin
I had dinner with a friend of mine and his girlfriend (who's from Boyaca) last night and I asked her about your comment! She laughed and said its 100% true LOL
@@AKJoel if u like drinking u should consider movin lol
This definitely confirms how dangerous Colombia is.
Lol what?
I’ve got A.K. tied up in my basement right now. 😂
Can you guys talk about Colombian marriage agency in Medellin AFA to see if it’s legit
It's not really a topic much in demand but if you want us to help you out with it feel free to sign up for our Masterclass!
"Its considered rude to be straight to the point"?? Isn't it more rude and shady to have a conversation about something random , waste another person's time and then say what you want to say regardless if its negative or not? I mean it sounds like at that point that the person had another agenda about something and was secretly hiding it for some reason. That is def weird
Yeah that's what I always thought - I'd much rather someone just ask me what they want lol
Is not shady, is just a cultural thing and you should adapt to it in Colombia.
@@rafael8184why adapt? I'm never going to fit in. I will always stand out, So I should just be my authentic self.
I am super happy to understand another person and why they do things, But I am a different kind of person and they can also understand me. That is the beautiful and interesting thing about meeting people from other cultures, understanding the differences and appreciating them.
You are not going to go to China and try to act Chinese. But you should understand them and learn how to avoid misunderstandings while still remaining who you are.
Colombian chiming in.
These “Things Colombians Do” musty applies among Colombians.
Foreigners usually get a free pass. We don’t expect you to act like us.
Hell, we’re more curious about your culture than you to ours.
Cheers 🍻
Obviously you havent been to cali or the coast if you think they dont drink much
I've been there but only spend a week - they love to binge over there?
@@AKJoel in “La costa” people used to drink much
theyre definitely not all liars ..
I have to disagree on the drinking guys. Go to Boyaca and you guys won’t pick up the drinking cerveza 🍺 😂
Also the south of bogota. Oh my gos the drink like fish 🐠
hahaha man that's hilarious - I got a similar comment on this video saying that people in Boyaca LOVE to drink until they fall down.
Noooo....."negrito" "gordito" is not offensive is actually very sympathetic and loving. You will feel a real offensive word directed to someone.
Yeah anyone who's been to Colombia knows that, but those who haven't could quite easily be offended
Tropical countries drink less because it feels bad to sweat so much
Really? Never thought of it that way haha
Mentira, en mi region beben mucho, esta a mas de 3000 metros sobre el nivel mar.
wut? no "drugging foreigners and taking their stuff?"
They only do that to idiots, not the general traveler so doesn't apply to everyone lol
I can Frankly say that I don’t like it, savages. Every country has its bs , just don’t like there’s.
It's not for everyone! There's almost 200 other countries in the world for those that don't like it here lol