Never Say Or Do That In Colombia | Colombian Culture

[@HowToExpat]

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[@Ace-wm2vv]

Again swissys. I feel like I should head over to olten or where you are from and slap you. Colombia be definition is a developing country. There're poor places and decent places, but you can't go around saying there not developed. It's insulting. The slap is coming if I run into you.

[@luisfernandotamayootavo4727]

In Colombia when we Say 'que pena' we are really saying 'i'm sorry' no 'what a pity'. I know could be weird but this is the real intention of that sentence.

[@elkay18]

Lo seinto

[@primezzxog4808]

Que pena lol

[@rafaelescandon7765]

I feel I must correct you when you explain the term “qué pena”. For Colombians, that expression means “I feel ashamed for what I just did”. It’s our way to say “I’m sorry”. We could also say “lo siento”, but it would sound more like a Mexican/neutral Spanish translation, so it would feel awkward or kinda fake. In Colombia “pena” is a synonym of vergüenza (shame), so when a Colombian person says “qué pena” it’s really intending to say “I feel ashamed”. Pena also means pity, but not in that context. When a Colombian wants to say “pity” they would say “qué lástima” o “qué pesar” depending on which region you are.

[@HowToExpat]

Thanks for the explanation

[@Travelingwithabbc]

I'm glad you took time to break it down. It makes sense now

[@adrianaw9574]

Agree

[@delfina128]

We do say que pena a lot, but to us it does not mean "what a pitty." I see that to this day you don't understand what que pena means, but just know that IT IS NOT "what a pitty." Que pena is not like you say our way of not taking responsibility, but quite the opposite is our way of being extremely polite.

[@jamescadzow9545]

que pena (What a shame) So basically your ashamed of the mistake or accident you made?

[@nicolaspicon2968]

@@jamescadzow9545 yep

[@claudiacano4916]

You are so wrong with the meaning you are giving to the expression “que pena”. You say that Colombian people don’t take responsibility for their mistakes, that is so wrong. Actually the expression “que pena” means that the person is really sorry about what happened, and is embarrassed.

[@OneHandedClapper]

Que pena can be translated to "how shameful" (self shame rather than shaming someone). "How embarrassing" also works well. It's understood as "I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened."

[@Jamminn555]

I promise to spell Colombia correctly! Jaja!! Love these Colombian cultural lessons and insights. And from the cutest couple ever and the quietest dog ever! Thanks so much for posting.

[@donovankavanaugh2625]

Great video chat guys 💯😁 thanks 🙏👍

[@bicheno]

Hey guys, I am not an expat but I wanna thank you anyway for your videos. During our six-week colombia trip your viseos helped a lot to understand the people and country.

[@HowToExpat]

Thanks a lot! Glad to hear you could put our tips into practice.

[@NickDemski]

I've noticed that the language prevents people from playing the blame game. For example, if I knocked something off the wall, I'd say, "se cayó" instead of saying what I did 😅

[@BrandonGolets]

If I said, "Oh, how did that happen?" I wonder what kind of response I would get.

[@NickDemski]

@@BrandonGolets The response would roughly translate to, "it fell", which isn't technically incorrect lol

[@gnolan4281]

It's not technically incorrect but it leaves the person who caused it to fall one step removed from any responsibility. "It fell" could mean that the person who knocked it off or dropped it was in another part of town when it happened. It's deflection so as to avoid loss of face. It's not too upsetting for me.

[@TheLinhal]

Please observe that people also say "se me cayó", meaning "I dropped it", but not intentionally.

[@NickDemski]

@@TheLinhal interesting...I guess I haven't heard/seen enough people drop things to hear them all 😅

[@vetger5625]

Que pena is an admission of guilt and feeling sorry.

[@theholeintheground503]

Yup! They got lost in translation.

[@peterhunt135]

Thanks for the information.

[@pablosalazar9298]

“Que Pena” is “oh, I’m sorry”, not “oh what a pity”

[@jkljkljkljkl6164]

Pablo Salazar Gonzalez That is one explanation

[@gnolan4281]

I find that in Laureles the ingredients themselves in restaurant food are inexpensive, fresh and of good quality. Most places do a really delicious and hearty "home made" soup. I rarely get sick on anything I eat which is more than I can say for what I have experienced in other countries. So for me, that right there is a big deal. I just wish there was a bit more variety. It seems that every Colombian restaurant serves exactly the same dishes. I wish I could find more restaurants that have certain things on the menu that other places don't offer. Going down to El Poblado provides me with more variety but traffic and Metro travel is a drag so I tend to stay close to home. Bogota has a reputation for the kind of variety I crave so maybe I'll take a little getaway trip for my fix. I already have a list of places to go.

[@delfina128]

Bogota has restaurants from all over the world!

[@bronzeabroadnomad2637]

Please share your restaurant list g nolan ! I'm arriving in Bogotá late Mar for 2 wks.

[@glenmontgomery1521]

If you haven’t already, you should mention that a person should not slam a car door. In Canada we think nothing of slamming car doors, but I discovered it is a faux pas to do so in Medellín. Close car doors gently. :-)

[@HowToExpat]

We did mention it in several videos but we can't mention it enough! You're absolutely right.

[@item6931]

The way they deflect blame sounds just like my dad, so I will be used to it lol

[@Rohawk009]

That’s so true when I went to Medellin I learn it’s a good thing to respect everything

[@jorgecabrera38]

You learn to respect us? Why? Because you probably think we are a bunch of retards...

[@curtisanthonydewey7903]

Every other year or so, I love to winter over in Cali. I do my very best -in any country I visit to at least know how they dress and certain things to never do/say. A "when in Rome" philosophy. Last year a friend of mine from the United States wanted to join me for about a week. MIstake. Make sure your friends who want to visit you have the capacity to understand they are not in the U.S.

[@dayanlfish]

Que pena, means also Me siento apenado, it means exactly I am sorry. We are not use to say Lo siento that means I am sorry. But we always say Perdón that means forgive me. You guys need more research and remember in colombia the people react in a different ways and say different expressions depend the city or region. So this video is not very accurate.

[@TheLinhal]

Thanks for your great videos. I think you are confusing "que pena" and "que pesar"

[@lisaversaci6031]

Sam, are you from Italy? Thanks! Great video!

[@miguelrincon2083]

Just wanted to add, pls don’t start any engagement with Pablo Scobar shit 😂 like I live in canada and multiple times this is what follows when I say I’m Colombian. I understand drug cartels is like what a lot of media has framed from Colombia, but just be mindful that you’re missing out on the richer subsets of our culture.

[@Velez8669]

Question, so if your dating a Colombian woman and she does something wrong, will she not say sorry as well? She did something wrong and she won’t take responsibility and apologize. You talk about que pena so it got me thinking. Help me understand. Thanks!

[@kennymack252]

VerVersalles Restaurante y Pasteleria has great empenadas

[@footsy420]

The Canadian embassy suggests not asking people what they do for work. I asked an Italian and it went fine. "I run a cocaine lab" . He saw himself as a big mafia guy but his mafia was just him.

[@orlandovelastegui1391]

If the waitress ask you do you want menestra with your rice and chicken it means Beans !!! “Not Abechuela” is a term used in Latin America north of South America.

[@tttman4385]

I just realized I've been spelling Colombia wrong

[@Miguelruiz25]

Yeah the food is definitely interesting or just bland and dry for the most part, Venezuelan restaurants are a safe option

[@jkljkljkljkl6164]

You will find people more relax in la Costa, is not that they dont take responsability, is more that they are more flexible, open mind.

[@aserserviciodecatering4333]

Lol worst! Where the people is more Open minded is from Big cities In la "costa" the people is more lazy for their own costumes I lived there so i can relate that dude .

[@ayo_k32]

I loved Colombian food. I like it much better than Mexican food.

[@theholeintheground503]

Really? Why? I am colombian and I like better the Mexican food Lmao. I think what colombian food has it's that it tastes way more homemade. Like eating at grandma's house. But mexican food has way more flavor.

[@normalperson659]

@@theholeintheground503 I'm not too familiar with Mexican food, but they seem to have better variety than we Colombians do.

[@theholeintheground503]

@@normalperson659 absolutely. Our food is not as creative as theirs.

[@asgard_fortress1916]

If someone says "que pena contigo", how, if at all, does that change the meaning of the phrase?

[@HowToExpat]

Very good question. It's pretty much the same we noticed.

[@asgard_fortress1916]

@@HowToExpat Thanks so much! That is very helpful.

[@jkljkljkljkl6164]

" Que pena", have diferent meanings it depend the region or city. One of the meanings is I m sorry, anither is "Oh that is sad", another "well, yeah it happened". In Medellin or Antioquia they push you to eat😃, if you dont eat they get ofended, if you go to Bogota is total diferent. Is funny how the things are diferent in Colombia it depende the city😄

[@sebastiangomezosorio823]

Nice video!! As Colombian when I saw the tittle, I thought immediately about the ColUmbia misspelling hahaha!! I can explain the reason :) One of the most basic things about a place is the name, so when someone don't get the name after being corrected, normally means that is not even putting effort or interest. Is like someone misspelling your name; In general nobody mind when someone is learning, mispronouncing it at the beginning. Now imagine someone mispronouncing your name after you correct that person SEVERAL times, I think is kind of disrespectful (specially with a name that is not particularly difficult). Just imaging someone saying New YUrk or WashingtUn, just don't,sounds weird. I also know that the auto-corrector sometimes change Colombia to Columbia, specially from English speaking countries which have Columbia's all over the place (British Columbia, district of Columbia, Columbia lake, etc). Typing it wrong is not optimal, but there are different factors like the auto-corrector or the amount of Columbia's that can influence it, so is forgivable. In person is one of the few thing that annoys me after I have corrected the person. I hope this long comment gives an insight of why we get triggered with that :) Continue with all these great videos

[@veronicarocha6603]

Interesting, I normally write it correctly but, the one time I made a mistake ( humans make mistakes sometimes ) I got pulled up on it . Which is fine but, I have a lot of interest and have many good things about the country, so, in that case it wasn’t for the reasons you outlined. But, yes, I understand what you are saying ..

[@lv6350]

not to be rude but what you said about Colombians which I am a Colombian it’s a little bit offensive because you guys we’re putting one person‘s rudeness in to everybody who is Colombian which is not true because everybody’s is different and have different personalities and you can’t just decide that’s how they are and I hate when people put everybody in one group of people.

[@vanessadelarosa5715]

what a pity! is not the correct word, and not express our feeling. you guys misunderstood the word

[@taaadaaa5256]

Great job

[@mollyhoran7992]

Can you make a video on the best Colombian food in Medellin (where to get the best empanadas etc)?

[@Ace-wm2vv]

I'll make the video for you. The right way.

[@orlandovelastegui1391]

Try to greet Colombians with Paisa, paisano for men or Paisana for women. I know this because o come from Ecuadorian and Colombian background.

[@cfG21]

Wait, aren't you two from swaziland? It would be terrible if someone mispelled Patrick sweard land..I mean moving the letter around will change the sound of sandwich land but I'm sure the swiss dont care right?...no you understand?

[@linazaldarriaga5852]

Wrong Wrong Wrong -- before start making comments about culture you need to understand the culture very good. "que pena" means I'm sorry -- This is a poor video in regards your comments about Colombia and Colombianos. "Blame Game" really?

[@chelseagiraldo9490]

this whole video is bull.

[@tsheringwangmo4903]

I really had bed experiences regarding Columbian...they are very rude as you said ...that lady don't have sense of saying thankyou or sorry..😢

[@angelajanedherrerahenao9070]

Sorry to correct you: We DO make ourselves responsible for faults. What happens is that we say "Que pena!", exactly meaning that we did something wrong, that it was our fault and that we feel sorry about it. No to offend, but pay attention to the TONE and body language when it happens, and do a real research before speaking, especially when referring to cultural issues. please.

[@Ace-wm2vv]

Got to disagree Swissys, I’m American and my family is from Colombia. Switzerland been there conquered that and I speak German. As my German teacher says, don’t translate English to German, but instead think in German. Because it doesn’t make sense. Anyways what a pity means exactly just that, however it also means sorry. Plus Colombians can be very direct, trust me, but when there pissed. Trust me. Also please I always tell them how things work and how it should be. I tell it how it is, but I come from a family which is from there so I guess I get a pass or just know how to say it. I guess it’s rough or different when your not from the cultural, also rain in a house is not luxury. I think it’s cool that you’re out there. I found Swiss people to be very kind and good people just boring and very distant. I say that with peace and love. Well keep up the cool vids good swissys.

[@areality40]

Well, que pena.... but I want me some Tasha!

[@Velez8669]

Que pena... I learned this the hard way!!!!

[@AscendedWarriors]

Wow. That is so true. I just had an issue with that... not taking responsibilty

[@fredycastro1620]

“Que pena” that translated to “how embarrassing”

[@nathalyvalencia6338]

If your talking for a nation please get your facts right! Que pena means ‘I’m so embarrassed’ not what a pity! Saying no one takes ownership is bull! Please get your facts right! Also food wise you can say you don’t like it! You guys should be ashamed of yourselves!

[@MrzBadaBing]

Que pena contigo

[@chelseagiraldo9490]

THANK YOU!!! mfs really need to their facts rights. Instead of talking some bs.

[@titopillo6914]

i understand that you think that colombian food is not so good, but that is because you are living in Medellin, instead Bucaramanga have better food. Santander have a very good food, and pretty colonial towns and citys.

[@yousif6623]

Why you guys setting very close to each other 😂

[@terradaktal8318]

Really.. these are just common sense things.. like good home manners and training, don't think it has anything todo with Colombia

[@bananapatch9118]

As Vegans, if neighbors wanted us to come to dinner...how would they take us explaining that we don’t eat any animals or animal products ? Even here in the US some people take it as some kind of personal offense...like they are being judged.

[@dakotalee5690]

sin leche

[@HowToExpat]

That's actually a good question. And there's no right answer to that because it depends on the person. I personally, would invite those people and then maybe explain what Veganism is. That may help to make them understand and if they're open-minded people. Maybe next time when they invite you they will even make a Vegan dish just for you.

[@johnjoseph3667]

Excellent, sage advice! Gracias. You two are amazing.

[@colibri1]

In the past in English, both Colombia and Columbia were acceptable; never in Spanish.

[@AscendedWarriors]

This is going to be your most controversial video.

[@theholeintheground503]

Nah bro, how they said at the beginnin', we don't get so easily offended as other nationalities

[@prime8nate]

I have a degree from Columbia University in New York and at times wear clothing made by Columbia Sportswear. This will not go down well in Colombia.

[@zepecat]

There would be no problem at all. I'm a local. As long as you don't write "Columbia" referring to this country.

[@prime8nate]

zepecat I was joking but that good ;)

[@gnolan4281]

Yes, and there's the little problem that the Capital city of the USA is in the District of Columbia.

[@lerryperry]

Bogota food is not good!!!! Changua is disgusting!!!

[@memojl7195]

If u are Vegan and neighbors invites u to eat you can answer: Thanks, ¿You have vegetarian food ?? (Gracias, ¿tienen comida vegetariana ??). Then they will understand that u dont eat meat.

[@bolusterx3358]

Qué pena=I'm ashamed

[@TheWildponys]

Personally: you guys are great! I’m Holding back because I’d really like to say something offensive critical and maybe off colour. But it’s their culture... Maybe if people tell them - the few things you mention here - like shrugging things off and taking no responsibility- I’m certain there are a few more - they may correct these. Doubtful as people cultures seldom change Your telling us the truth - and - this is good - really - really - really good. It gives us a heads up and alert - more caution. The place seems great - except you have to deal with the locals - omg 😱 that’s anywhere - locals are trouble. This isn’t just Colombia - you can say this of anyplace on the planet. I found the Bogotá Colombian people really difficult - arrogant - and Medellin less so - and coastal people easy going - maybe it’s the sea food. Compared to other places Colombia isn’t terrible. Chinese 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😳 Koreans 😱😱😱 Middle eastern 😱😱😱😱😱 Japanese 😱😱 Spanish 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 America 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 Europeans 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 British 😱😱😱😱😱 Mexican 😱😱 Central America😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 if the food sucks - I’m not coming - how can you ruin beans? If they can’t even cook food? And hopefully they don’t cook it in fat and bad oil. Do they know how bad that is?