Pay attention and reading comprehension
[QUOTE=Black Page; 1441305]So true!
I refrained to intervene in this debate so far, but Colombians are great people, and paisa above all. In all my visits during many years, I have been overcharged only ONCE, by a taxi driver. Never had a single problem. Colombia is great, Medellin is fantastic, and local people are one of the reasons why I love to go there.
I am sorry that some fellow members here were so unlucky to stay away from good people in Colombia. There's a lot of bandits too, and misery, but good people in Colombia are not white flies. It depends on where we go and who we aim to meet, if we don't see them. :P[/QUOTE]At Black Page: I'm not calling you out specifically just using your last post as a jump off point.
Once again the majority of you guys miss the point and glaze over the main issue. The beef with "Colombians" is not with the heart of the man but with the wallet of the man. The Anti-Camp has issue with the way Colombians do business and their lack of business ethics. The everyday interaction that the Pro-camp wants to praise is a buddy-buddy with a Colombian and Rumba-Hell yes! Clearly that is going to go fine. A few bucks, a few girls, a few bottles and you're rolling in the good times! That is not the issue and never has been in question. Work is what we are discussing and getting things done is the issue. When trying to get something done, business, work, anything accomplished in a fast and efficient manner they fail!
It's all around. Look at the quality of buildings and apartments they put up. New construction with crack all over the place, sinks not sealed into the granite; just placed there, how many times have you had a shower or faucet knob turn right off into your hand? Look at the movies for god sakes. One line to order then go wait in another line to pick in up? Total lack of efficiency and that is the plan they use on a busy Saturday night? They turn a 15 min process into a 30-40 ordeal! This is just one example, take the time to flash back to your own experiences and you'll come up with two or three easily I'm sure. Try to think of the "What the hell are they doing or is going on!" Feeling and there you go. You'll remember the feeling better than the actual experience.
I also visit much more than most mongers (3ish times a year 2 weeks or more each time) as I have REAL friends down there and a girlfriend. This makes me privy to their experiences and having to help my girl with her stuff (paying bills and living life. Short time or infrequent visitors don't see this side of the Medellin x Colombia). With this "everyday life" experience you see the ineptitude of Colombian business and operation.
Once money get involved all bets are off. No put intended. Money makes a man do strange things and in Colombia it makes people crazy because it's so hard to get a head. Being that it is so difficult and opportunities so hard to come by (or IMO for the Colombians to see) that they live in "Fear". Fear of losing what little they already have. The old adage "Penny smart and Pound Foolish" perfectly describes Colombia in a Work x Business context. Not a everyday sit at Parque Lleras waiting for your hooker to show up to have a nice meal way.
It comes down to this: In America and the rest of the "Developed" world Time is SUPER important and is held in that light. In Colombia all they see is the peso. They have all the time in the world so Money is SUPER important to them. It is a ideological difference that is glaring and frustrating to those who know the simple truth; You can make more money, you can't make more time!
atBBrocs. Bro it's Slam not Siam. Same typo twice! Hahhaha. Unless you tring to get at me? Just kidding. I thought you were the Apartment guy. Glad to see you are doing well and that you are thriving in Medellin. I was a sales rep for Nabisco back in the day for 5+ years and I am familiar with the grocery game and currently work as a real estate agent so I'm versed in that game too. Sounds like our resumes have some overlap! LOL.
I think it's fair and reasonable (two attitudes lacking in this community) that doing business isn't easy and could be much easier if people conducted themselves. Let's just say "better". Would you agree?