Why I'll NEVER Understand Colombians...

[@AKJoel]

✅ Get Your FREE Medellin Relocation Guide here: medellinmasterclass.com/checklist

[@Kristoferwitha_k]

Lol I know this is all over South America but you have those guys yelling about their avocados and their pineapples and whatever else they sell and they push them on a cart and they their yell something like, piñas! Or they have a Bluetooth speaker that's on a loop saying that. It's super super annoying or the trash truck with a guy and a bell ringing that damn thing really loud at 8:00 in the morning

[@AKJoel]

The Bluetooth speaker with the sound effects and yelling is hilariously annoying lol

[@ellebelle2507]

@AKJoel what about gooseberries and rhubarb. In UK you eat that, but you NEED sugar 🙂

[@aionair77]

About the long conversations before going to the point: We consider rude to just ask people specifically what we want from them, conversation is a way to be warm and still create a connection, so that what we are asking is not a hard thing to do. It's not like we are aware of it, it's just the way we behave.

[@devil634]

True. You hit it right on the head. We create rapport basically, develop relationships.

[@yanasitta]

That's fine for a personal conversation or close work connections you are creating but you assume that in a business context, everyone has time for that exchange and we consider it rude to waste our time. I've provided tech support for Latin America from the US and this infuriated me when 3 or 4 people were asking me for help but they waste my time by not getting to the point and taking their time when I ask questions. I've even had people walk away from their computers without telling me and that's very rude so what's the point of "creating rapport" just to destroy it later? There is a time and a place.

[@williamfowlkes9767]

I am from the U.S. and frankly this is one of the things I love about Colombians. So warm and pleasant. In the U.S. especially in Washington DC where I lived most of my adult life, it's quite the opposite. People are extremely short with you. Always straight to business. Literally people will avoid stopping for a conversation and just say a few words as they walk past you. It at social events it's mostly conversations about work and wanting to get something out of a conversation that will give them some advantage. There is no such thing as the joy of a real human connection and wanting to really get to know you.

[@santanasikasue]

Que bonita pareja. Nací y crecí en Medellin ,tengo la edad de sus padres y he vivido en muchas partes del mundo, luego de muchos ańos volví a Medellin y no existe nada igual; aquí se vive demasiado bien. Disfrútenla y tengan muchos hijos. Saludos.

[@ronhartley4307]

Apologies for monopolizing so much space in your comment section but your topics really piqued my interest. I just found you today. You offer great advice and I like the way you present it. Lastly , the two of you are a super sweet couple. I wish you both the best dude ❤🤜🤛😎 Merry Christmas

[@Drdapo]

The coffee issue. In Colombia we love coffee and we are used to “tinto”, because it is quick to prepare and share. But in many families, like mine, we prepare coffee with more care, American or espresso type. And yes, we drink between 5 and 6 cups a day.

[@TJckr]

Bru is like why do you drink coffee for? Umm.. to live?! 😂

[@leidymosquera7965]

I'm paisa but I don't know to tell the difference between tinto and coffee... Mmm I'm not a coffee girl 😅😊

[@andraehenry9789]

Haha this was so insightful to watch since following you has made me interested in visiting/moving to Colombia and there are so many similarities between the culture there and Jamaica.

[@AKJoel]

Glad you enjoyed it! I've actually heard that same comment from a few Jamaicans!

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

and the "hasta luego" when getting off the elevator even though you don't know the other people and didn't talk to them on the elevator

[@dariozapata-w7s]

Eso no sucede en todo Colombia. En una ciudad grande como Bogotá les piede resuotar incomodo y molesto que siendo un extraño saludes otro extraño.

[@CarRentalPapi]

No I think that is just considered good manners. For example in the South in the States you say hello to people when you enter a room or wave when you are passing someone in your neighborhood. People in Medellin and Ecuador as well say Buenas when entering a room full of people.

[@overwhelmedmulti]

@@CarRentalPapi that's correct. at least us Paisas (not everyone), we even say "buenos días/tardes/noches" and "gracias" to bus drivers, and just like when getting on and off the elevator, it's considered good manners. you're not obligated to do it, though, but it will give the other person a good impression of you!

[@davidrobinson787]

Ya that's not weird at all to me. We do the same thing here.

[@inolvidable.]

Another one that interprets friendliness as being rude. It is the opposite, most people love friendly people saying hello everywhere. I can see a lot of asocial people visiting Colombia and being surprised of how open and friendly we are. Learn to be social and nice, instead of asocial, lonely and grumpy.

[@thedancedojo]

Great vid AK! Im in medallo too and I feel so many of these. Sometimes it feels so frustrating like there's zero logic, but then you have to try and understand the cultural why behind it. Caro def had you on mango biche vs. vegemite though haha. mango biche takes the cake by a long shot! -Robin

[@AKJoel]

Basically anything wins over Vegemite haha one of the most disgusting foods of all time!! 😅

[@thedancedojo]

@@AKJoel glad we agree 😂

[@matthewjohnson7350]

Also, great video, always enjoy your content

[@fanstream]

I really like the approach of these videos --- authentic and improvisational --- and you both have great rapport even though staying firm with your opinions. I love Colombia and Australia, but I've spent more time in Colombia.

[@bonniedasgupta5518]

Hello Akash happy to hear another fellow Indian here. We are Indians living in Santa Marta from the UK. We haveeeen here for nearly 2 years running a business. Are you in Medellin?

[@paulanthony6763]

Great content. You two are an amazing couple. wishing you all the best. I'm heading to Medellin this summer for the first time.

[@AKJoel]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@devil634]

@AKJoel I shared with members of my family. They have not been there yet, but the one of the positive things that you really liked Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@AKJoel]

Thank you for your many insightful comments!

[@devil634]

@@AKJoel 🙏🏼 Enjoy Medellin! Despite all the negatives of it, I still love my city (even though I was not born there) 😃🇨🇴 and unfortunately, have not had the guts to go back as a freelancer or remote work employee

[@SpeakLikeAColombian]

Brushing your teeth 6 times per day is NEVER normal 😂 not only for us Colombians, but for nobody 🤣

[@seferino]

True.

[@dukeboy51]

I second that

[@andresbarriga5305]

Parce, hay que lavarse mas los dientes. jajaja

[@chusspa]

I also second this, I'd say the most normal thing for us, Colombians, is to do it three times a day.

[@pabloduque579]

I did it 3-4

[@212og]

Foreigners need to understand that although Medellin is for the most part safe most people dont make much more than the monthly minimum wage of around $350 USD a month. So when you are walking around with a $1200 USD Iphone that is 3x the monthly salary for many. Most people also do not have easy access to credit there either. That would be like tourists walking around NYC with phones worth 3x a monthly minimum wage salary. $2400 USD x 3 = $7200 USD. My city NYC would easily become waaay more dangerous than Medellin in a week if most tourists walked around with $7200 Iphones lol

[@Tony-cj6jy]

Silly argument and an insult to the majority of poor people who have dignity to not steal from others. There are lot's of poor countries that are much safer. It's this mentality towards crime and the lack of punishment. Go to Singapore and they give canings and suddenly it's not so cool to steal or deal drugs.

[@ifran77]

AirPods, holding your phone to your ear in Medellin is asking for it

[@ernestoporras-polo5872]

I lived in New York from 2002 to 2004 and in most places people could walk with Rolex watches worth 10k and nobody will steal it from them

[@212og]

@Tony-cj6jy The countries in Asia I've been to are literally the opposite of Colombia (latin America) culture wise. Shame and fear tend to rule over those societies that are much less individualistic by a long shot. Singapore a tiny country with only 5 million people does not have the political and Narco violence past that Colombia does. I'm a dual Citizen traveling to Colombia for over 20 years, and again, I'll say Medellin is pretty damn safe these days considering the average income and past. I was traveling to Medellin to stay with family when no foreigners were over 20 years ago. Today It's Disneyland in comparison. Foreigners flaunting their $1200 USD phones everywhere, trusting strangers not being super fluent in Spanish, or being sloppy when dealing with Ho3s / drugs will continue to get got.

[@212og]

@ernestoporras-polo5872 I've been living in NYC over 35 years. So many fake $20 Rolexes/ jewelry here it would be dumb for criminals to risk being caught here for this. Park your cheap $5,000 motorcycle anywhere in NYC and I guarantee it will be stolen soon. Most foreigners here in NYC are working class immigrants, so they aren't targeted. In Medellin non latin Foreigners usually have much more money than locals so they can be a target if they give Papaya.

[@dukeboy51]

I don't agree with your take on lulo. Even though it's not meant to be eaten raw because of its high acidity, making a smoothie/shake out of it and adding sugar creates some sort of a balance. It's not that you're just drinking something bloated with sugar, but a sugary/acid drink. The drink is still supoosed to taste like lulo, but in a milder way.

😂 apparently he has never drink lemonade

[@Joseto238]

Great video! So many things to unpack here. Colombians' frequent bathing has deep historical and anthropological roots, blending practices from specific Indigenous groups, African traditions, and European influences. Groups such as the Muisca in the Andean regions, the Tairona in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Wayuu in the Guajira Peninsula viewed bathing as both hygienic and spiritual, often tied to purification rituals and harmony with nature. The Tairona, for instance, used sacred rivers for ceremonial cleansing, while the Muisca revered water for its purifying properties. African traditions brought through the transatlantic slave trade emphasized regular washing as part of daily life, and European colonists introduced hygiene practices and Catholic rituals like baptism, reinforcing cleanliness as symbolic of spiritual purity. These customs merged over time, and are now evolved into a strong cultural norm where bathing is essential for hygiene, social propriety, and community bonding. Colombians have little tolerance for "different hygiene customs", to put it nicely lol.. But yeah, if we consider most cultures and ethnographic backgrownds we bathe a lot.

[@LEXI200121]

Regarding the brushing your teeth a lot: For the ones that have had any dental treatment in their lifes is common. I had retainers for a decade and professionals advice you to brush 1) after waking up 2) after eating breakfast 3) after eating lunch 4)after a snack if you eat one 5) after dinner 6) before bed + (flush (use dental floss) after every meal) I never get cavities nor need in dept cleaning at the dentist. I don't brush as much every day, usually 5 because i don't often eat snacks. I flush and brush softly for like 2-3 minutes. My acquaintances who had braces or whitening procedure do the same. No, it doesn't hurt my gums or makes my teeth weaker. However, I have this habit since I was 8 y/o, if an adult suddenly changed to this routine they would probably face some issues at the start.

[@PK-zq8qp]

I watched this episode, and thinking back when traveling to Montreal the traffic people drive to get to destination, and same for New York. I truly enjoyed watching as blanco gringo it’s interesting to me. Gracious

[@HistoryHustle]

Honestly I love the coffee here. There is - in the bigger cities and touristy places - for sure a barista culture. Brazil in that sense, also a huge coffee producer, was a big letdown on coffee quality. One thing I noticed here is that people can have no sense of 'movement'. For example there is a stream of people walking from A to B and all of a sudden someone just stops in the middle of the stream being an obstable to everyone else because he/she is standing in the way. Now at first I thought that was a South American thing, but I didn't notice it in the other countries, only here. Now I am mentally preparing myself when going out haha.

[@waly3302]

JAJAJAJA yeah... Idk why we do that

[@louismartinez2570]

Great video. We are living in Pereira, and my wife and I speak Spanish fluently. Regarding communication, it is very unusual for us, Hispanics (from other countries), the excessive politeness while doing business. I went through 15 messages before I was able to get an answer to 1 question. Bank managers, real estate agents website profiles remind me of those in dating apps. Also, no privacy. My real estate agent informed me that my bank account was opened and to pick up my cards any time. The bank never called. Later I found out that the bank manager called my real estate agent. I pulled out of buying for that reason. Drivers.... in their heads time is money. The more runs for a taxi driver the better. I general, is good to be treated like a brother or an uncle, but exhausting at times.

[@BEABE4242]

Jajjajajaa Luis le quedo grande esa cultura. Quédate donde estas !

[@hectorrendon3025]

I live in Miami and lately I’ve been visiting family and friends in Pereira. I grew up in the US and it took some getting used to the politeness of the Paisa region specially. Now I head back home and I miss my Pereiranos.

[@davidrobinson787]

Not wearing sunglasses seems stranger to me than almost everything else on that list.

[@devil634]

@AKJoel 9. ⁠ seatbelts in the backseat: Changing habits in a culture takes years. Only in the mid 90s, wearing a seatbelt in the front became the law. I hadn’t even heard that it is the law to wear in the backseat, that’s why I get surprised when people question me here in the US on why I am not wearing the seatbelt while in the backseat, it just doesn’t make sense to me. 10. Coffee: it’s a cultural thing. We were raised to drink coffee as kids all day, throughout the day even till 9 PM and I had never heard in my life (until I was 24 and came back to the US.) “You can’t sleep if you drink coffee at night“ Coffee has been the number one export product for years, probably only topped by oil. Just like oil and gas is normal in Texas, tacos in Mexico, mate in Argentina, coffee in Colombia. It’s the national beverage. US made it an “in thing” to have a fancy named coffee at exorbitant prices, just to sound or feel cool that you were at a coffee chain…

[@devil634]

@AKJoel Good video and information, even though I did not disagree with some, you made me take time out of my day to comment in much detail. Hope all the comments help 😅, specially, knowing how long my comments were.

[@travelescapesOFFICIAL]

"Do you see a beach?" 😂 This always stood out to me also. No one wears shorts, flip flops, or sunglasses in the city. The long pants of course is uncomfortable, but not wearing sunglasses I just don't understand.

[@AKJoel]

Haha she got me with that line 😅

[@gladiator-dh5cb]

It has to do with respect. Sunglasses hides eye contact

[@MarkosEvans]

Great content ❤

[@TJckr]

1. Shorts are for tourists 2. Always greet and be courteous

[@AngusGaukrogerDev]

I've been living in Colombia for the last 3 months, really love the culture here but a few things do wind me up a little 😂 1. Colombians not saying "no" when they don't want to do something. They would prefer to not respond or just say maybe/anything but no. 2. Time keeping - This is basically my problem, coming from the UK where punctuality is important, I have to try really hard to not care so much about this. 3. Colombia is a very relaxed place until it comes to seat numbers on buses. I have been on near empty buses travelling around this country and taken this okay to just sit wherever, only to get turfed out the seat on a near empty bus because some guy wants the exact seat printed on his ticket. Technically I'm in the wrong, but it makes me laugh how the culture is so relaxed, apart from with this! 4. Lack of spatial awareness in the street.. Colombians walk in straight lines and I find myself constantly dodging people's shoulders on the pavements because no one gives room to others. Just to be clear I'm absolutely not bashing on the country, I've loved living here, but these things do make me laugh. This country and it's people are truly incredible!

[@romanpaladino]

I'm Colombian, and I agree with your first point, it really bugs me. I've been told that I'm too straight forward and blunt. But I simply like saying what I mean and mean what I say. So I wish people would give me a straight "no", I wouldn't get offended. As to your last point, I've been to London. People walk extremely fast, head down, or avoiding eye contact. Constantly trying to dodge them became a sport for me.

[@dukeboy51]

​@@romanpaladinoel problema es que somos muy emocionales y sentimentales y entonces tratamos de evitar que la otra persona se sienta mal, aunque ya es contraproducente porque está tan establecido ese comportamiento que ya la gente sabe que un "de pronto", "voy a mirar", "yo te aviso" el 90% de las veces significa no. Entonces nos deberíamos ir acostumbrando a que decir no no tiene nada de malo.

[@JulianGutie]

About the seat on buses is because when we get the ticket we bought the seat, you should seat on your seat and not one else seat and you avoid all that argument

[@NicholeRojas-r8i]

Haha I'm colombian hehe, I agree about everything, and I'm also the one dodging people's shoulders hehe, I feel that men are most probable to do so, but maybe it's a personality thing? Not sure, I hope you enjoy your time here and if you need something please don't hesitate to ask! 😊

[@waly3302]

JAJAJAJA me hiciste reír con el tema del asiento en los buses, es algo que nunca pensé y es verdad jajajajaja

[@space_btwn_notes]

great convo my man! i love it

[@brittanyenright4110]

Thanks for asking about the seatbelts in the backseat I have been asking about that since I arrived and thought I was crazy

[@ruthdompig9397]

Your girlfriend/wife is very patient with you. You say you love to learn about other cultures but I think you even more love to critize other cultures. Just embrace the cleanliness and enjoy eating something in a different way. Or just say that you prefer it different. Why do you have to say that you’ll never understand. I agree with your wife, you are a cold cactus. I bet she smells wonderful always too.

[@DavidToback]

Just bought two pairs of shorts yesterday lol. I’m a Florida boy, will never get me out of shorts!

[@AKJoel]

Same with me, Australia is shorts and flip flops (thongs) anywhere and everywhere lol

[@DavidToback]

@@AKJoel yeah, I gave up the flips and thong flips when I moved to LA, but had me a collection of them. We’d even wear them with jeans 😆

[@gladiator-dh5cb]

Hmm ok. They will always know who you are 😂

[@JWinch]

@@AKJoel Australia has a very different meaning for the word thongs than America does ;-)👙

[@kentcovington]

Congrats on the wedding AK!! 🎉

[@AKJoel]

Thank you!!

[@jimmyjohn5162]

AK you introduced her as girlfriend. Now u need to get used to calling her wife. 😂

[@AKJoel]

Haha you're right! Good pickup. We filmed this video a few days before the wedding.

[@GregPorto1]

‘Do you see a beach?’ 😂😂😂 I love how much dignity Colombians have 👍🚀👍

[@clarencehammer3556]

I have spent my entire life I the United States. I am 77 years old and zi would never even consider wearing shorts. I used also always wear long sleeved shirts but I have also been wearing some shortsleeved shirts at times now. I don’t go to beaches or play tennis. The driving would be terrifying there. The coffee I buy Colombian coffee beans from a local roaster here and drink it black. Usually one cup before breakfast and one after breakfast. I would love to have coffee with others as a social thing and I would love “sobremesa”. I don’t know if “sobremesa” is a thing in Colombia or not.

[@reycondor8083]

It's because you were taught to dress apropriately

[@NicholeRojas-r8i]

Sobremesa is a thing here as well, it's the perfect time to talk 😊

[@oceanwave4142]

Using a phone in public is not giving papaya, the problem is robbing papaya so it's the fault of the criminal, don't get it twisted and apologize for criminals. Otherwise just for a tourist to be in Colombia in public is giving papaya, just by breathing and existing you are giving papaya, come on...

[@americanaccentcoach]

The problem with the voice notes is that it's super inefficient. Especially if you need to pass on more than one piece of information. The receiver can't simply open the chat and find the key points. So you either have to listen multiple times, or the receiver is forced to write down the info themselves. It can also be frustrating because they tend to think as they're recording, so you'll be forced to listen to long pauses or filler words as they sort the message out in their own heads

[@AKJoel]

100% agree.

[@DondiniMontefusco]

Excellent cultural video💜👏🏼

[@incaseofemergency6051]

Efficiency is not understood nor valued by most Colombians.

[@BRyeEUC]

​@@incaseofemergency6051 *Latin Americans*

[@whitneyc.3257]

My mom sends us these kinds of audios to my brother and I (sometimes they’re +4mins). Sometimes I ask for a summary with key points 😂

[@luismarquez8065]

I agree with you bro. Santa Marta is a beach town and hot weather but locals wear long pants and long sleeve shirts.

[@jeffschueler1182]

I live in Medellin now and I also lived in central Mexico for a few years. It’s the same there, Mexicans don’t wear shorts as they are considered too informal.

[@roamingroadtrip5696]

Exactly. When we would take family trips to Mexico, my mom, a Mexican, would never let us wear shorts in public or even when we went to visit relatives.

[@redsnpr]

Fruits and other food stuff that are considered delicious - like lulo - and the way they are eaten in different parts of the world... I am a born and reised Colombian who happens to travel a lot around. I have been multiple times to Indonesia and other places in South East Asia. I also married an Indonesian who came to Colombia and still lives here. Being the above mentioned countries located in the tropics, there are many different fruits common to both, like avocado. The way we in Colombia eat avocado is though completely different than in Indonesia. I LOVE avocado just scooping it out of the skin after sprinkling a little bit of salt and some lemon juice, or added to a green salad, or prepared in guacamole. I still have, however, difficulties eating avocado in Indonesia where it's added in a smoothy or ice cream with chocolate or condensed milk. Nevermind comparing the taste and likes/dislikes for fruits that are not so common in Colombia but very much eaten and liked in SEA, like Durian. But that is another long story....

[@JWinch]

Voice adds SO Much more information than text. Also, given that Spanish has somewhere between 1/4 and 1/10 the number of words as English, Spanish communication needs more clues to communicate. So voice might make that easier. And since maybe only 5% of Colombians speak something natively different than Spanish, it makes sense they don't think about the viewpoint of a non-native Spanish speaker having to understand the voice.

[@reycondor8083]

Dont forget the regional dialects costeños from the carribean area speak like cubans and eat their words

[@NicholeRojas-r8i]

But 60% of English comes from latin

[@paxtecum4814]

Detesto los mensajes de voz. Para mí denotan pereza y un sentido permanente de apuro o afán. Nunca en mi vida he enviado un mensaje de voz.

[@mlopez79601]

Greetings from Texas!! Love this content. I know you aren't the biggest fan of Cartagena but any resources you recommend similar to your Medellin Relocation Guide. I plan to relocate to CTG and dating a Columbian Man 9hopefully getting married Fingers Crossed)!!! Thanks in Advance. P.S. The Brushing teeth thing and the lack of direct conversation topics is difficult for me!! Keep up the great work.

[@AKJoel]

I'm sorry we don't have enough knowledge about Cartagena to produce any content on it. We're pretty Medellin focused!

[@JWinch]

I don't think there is a youtuber just for Cartagena, but a guy who talks a lot about Cali also likes Cartagena and has some videos on Cartagena (@saiyanchan)

[@ronhartley4307]

Dude, you and I have the same questions about this country. I have paid taxi drivers a big tip just to slow down. 😂 I’ve asked many Taxi drivers why their seatbelts don’t work.

[@andresleon2293]

23:00 this is actually sad because it goes to show how the responsibility of not getting robbed falls completely on us, and we just accept it, we must never forget that this is not how we should live our lives, it is sad, and we should never consider it our fault, its sad

[@aionair77]

About the seatbelts: I don't know in Medellin, but in Bogota, every seat belt is mandatory. There were fines for not using them last time I was there. However, I can explain why they are not used in the back part of the car: they were not mandatory in the back for a long time. After a while they decided to make mandatory for cars to have these seat belts in the back as well, and for drivers to make sure that people have them all the time while the car is moving.

[@incaseofemergency6051]

I moved away from Medellin and I see more and more Colombians wearing shorts in cities with no beach. I am never mistaken for Colombiano so choose to be comfortable.

[@waly3302]

Yeah, it really depends on the culture of each city. But also we understand if a foreigner is wearing shorts in a city where it isn't common, it is not a big deal

[@josevidal8457]

exactly just in the andean region people dont wear shorts, but in the other cities outside this area is common to see shorts

[@leidymosquera7965]

In Medellín, if there's no water, it's a valid reason for not going to work and they will understand perfectly. 👍🏽

[@devil634]

@AKJoel 11. Fruits: some are mainly to be had as drinks, also the case of soursop (guanábana), and since they are sour, you just add sugar so it can taste better without losing the taste of the fruit in itself. Mango biche, part of Colombia idiosyncrasy. Just like having a hotdog in New York, or mango with chili in Mexico City, you can have a snack of mango biche. Please do clarify that you can also find the sweet tropical mango. 12. Crime: we have been desensitized with so much crime throughout history. You have to learn more of history in Colombia to make this comment. And yes, you cannot make it easy for thieves (No dar papaya), but still, crime is in the atmosphere, and we are so used to it that we have been desensitized. Something to comment about Colombians, I believe we may be one of the most resilient people after all we have lived and gone through and still do on a daily basis. You can see a difference with the US after 911, a decade later, they were still mourning and playing victim.

[@ando9191]

I gotta say this is new maybe for us i dont know but i think many people do wear shorts but in weekends and definitely not in work places.

[@micheleprinzi9003]

Depende where in Melbourne you live I Lived in st Kilda 20 minut walk from the beach I Lived there 44 years

[@evanzolc2995]

here is Neiva Huila people all over the place wearing shorts. It is very normal for anyone see both with and without constantly. There is also no beach here as well

[@seferino]

Huila is very hot. 💯

[@LuisDiaz-oe1uh]

Yeah I wore shorts in Medellin, and everyone kept looking at me strange except at the tourist spots. 😅

[@michaelkucinski4021]

I drink black Colombian coffee at home. I use the amount of coffee and water that it tells me to use on the container. Could I get the same coffee in Colombia? If yes, what do I ask for? I like strong black coffee.

[@AKJoel]

Ask for an Americano - just don't get tinto.

[@michaelkucinski4021]

@@AKJoel But isn't "Americano" watered down coffee? that's what I've been led to believe when I read menus from coffee places.

[@trainwreck3697]

Americano is watered down espresso. So a “normal” amount of water compared to regular coffee. And in my experience tinto can be made strong or weak, i’ve certainly had tinto that was nearly as strong as Americano.

[@josevidal8457]

after watch the whole video i just realized that bro is generalizing Medellin for the entire country, Colombia is not just paisa culture, also exist caribeann culture, pacific culture, llanos culture among others

[@AKJoel]

I agree 100%

[@GRehillMusic]

I was shocked that people wear plastic gloves while eating chicken wings.

[@cutuo]

Another one... Happened to my aussie patner! Drinking tea is quite different overthere, you ask for tea and they bring you minty leafy tea (aromatica). In some places, was chai tea... But not traditional black tea! Unless you get it from the supermarket 😅

[@THEGIGLITE]

I don’t have any plans to pick up and leave the US for Colombia (maybe if I was single again) but I find this channel wildly interesting. Glad I found ya..🫡

[@AKJoel]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@SPCPerez19Delta]

Had me rolling with the voice messages. I've picked up that habit for personal chats and my American friends think it's weird. Especially the men. I think the voice messages is their way to connect with their clients or potential clients. I think most Paisas are adapting and send both audio and pertinent information immediately after. Paisas are beautiful people. Very warm. Very caring. Even my doctor huged me at the end of a checkup. Never had that in NY. The driving is very much like NYC driving IMO. Or New Jersey. Plenty of asshole drivers there. The rear seat belts: same as some NYC cabs. The cabs that aren't the OLD tin taxi cabs have seatbelts but I think most of this is due to: - the non-scientific based decision to not enforce them by law. Most will assume the rear seat passengers aren't in as much risk. That's far from the case as a high percentage of rear seat passengers become severely injured or die during a major collision. Tintos are great depending where you buy them. I've learned to "water down" my coffee. Fun episode as usual!

[@leidymosquera7965]

Spanish --emotional language 😮... I didn't know it but it makes sense, we like to connect first with people before going straight to the point.

[@just_matthew1826]

I dated a girl from Cali a couple of years ago. When we went to a restaurant and she ordered an appetizer, it was like she would go into a 5-minute Opera duet with the waiter asking every detail. But me......I'm like what do you have? We have crab cakes. OK I'll take two. Just10 seconds.

[@ronhartley4307]

Something else I also don’t understand about Colombia and agree with you. It’s very difficult to get an answer to a straightforward question. It’s just simply Colombian.😂

[@Nolanf468]

Yo men, I'm sure the placement of the add could use a change, would be better for your conversion rate and the audience watching aswell💡 Video was nice 👍

[@AKJoel]

Thanks for the heads up, will check the ad placement now!

[@user-pv2dp4dq8b]

That was hilarious. She scored a point. He was so sure he had her. I love shorts too. I need a good reason to wear pants when it's 40 degrees celsius outside. I'm from Texas. It's almost the opposite. You wear pants during the summer people will be like "What happened? Did you forget to check the weather? Did you forget that you're in Texas? You look like an idiot." She also destroyed the entire fruit argument when she mentioned vegemite. There's no excuse for the existence of vegemite. Although the unripened mango with salt and pepper sounds like a crime. Ripe mangos are one of the most delicious things in the world, why are they trying to make it a baked potato? I change my mind. Colombians are wrong but so are Australians. The coffee thing is inexcusable. It's an insult to the coffee and to whoever you serve it to. She said they care about the taste, but, they don't. I drink a pot of good coffee a day. Sometimes blended with oil, vanilla, cinnamon, etc. I'm a coffee addict and that would be like cutting your cocaine with baking soda. Not OK. Aggressive driving...ehh..I'm from Houston. They drive very aggressive. If everyone is driving aggressive, you also have to drive aggressive or you die. She wins that one. The "unprofessionalism"....in the end it's not actually professionalism though. It's marketing. If people feel more trusting toward exposed chests, then it's a legit tactic. The crime thing is kind of sad but I think Colombians justify it. You have more control of yourself and life if you focus on your actions, what you did, what you can change. So, if you want to be safe, if you want to keep your stuff, you need be proactive about protecting yourself. Not expecting cops to protect you, not epxecting other people to be good and honest.... she wins this one. Overall the score is.... Her - 5 Him - 1 (coffee)

[@romanpaladino]

Sorry, bro. No such thing as "nice jean shorts", almost as bad as baggy cargo shorts. I'm Colombian, but I get your point. Wearing long pants in hot and humid weather when you're not in an office or formal setting makes no sense. But I guess shorts are considered too informal, only to be used in sport or at the beach, or by little kids. I think that's something that should change. I'm originally from Bogotá, so wearing long pants in _tierra caliente_ is always a PIA for me.

[@americanaccentcoach]

Colombians complain about being a poor country, but they take almost every Monday off as a holiday, while the rest of the world is moving forward with their business 😅

[@AKJoel]

It definitely seems like every Monday is a holiday lol

[@inolvidable.]

That's why Colombia has been rated several times as the Happiest country in the world. Other cultures care more about money and shallow things than family and friends, which really is the essence of life: relationships. So, Colombians got it right.

[@LEXI200121]

Those Mondays off are some of the only days a lot of people can have a rest. Many work 7 days a week 10-12 hours. It's easy to judge but Colombian regulations on work schedules in many establishments is poor to say the least.

[@kraigrichard7043]

What lawyers choose to wear and how they present themselves may vary extremely from what humans choose to wear and how they present themselves

[@MrAskaric]

6 times is definitely NOT normal! I normally brush my teeth 3-4 times per day. When I wake up, after lunch and before I go to bed. That is standard. Maaaaybe if I have a meeting mid-morning I’ll brush again.

[@romanpaladino]

I agree, 3 or 4 times is normal. Six is a bit excessive.

[@ando9191]

Wait wut? people in another countries don't send audio messages?

[@elonmusk9869]

I’ve spent months in Medellin and noticed many locals wearing shorts, not just athletic style but all types. Also….the women dress naked and show off their bodies, how is that ok but shorts aren’t? Yoga pants and short shorts for women isn’t formal either but most of the women do that in public

[@AKJoel]

Lol that's a very good point!

[@SntgoCortnz]

Actually, AK made a point when telling the stories about people working and wearing pants... That's the way people in Colombia (specially in the Andean region) give "professionalism" to their jobs, you never show up in flip flops and shorts to your office, I think. We also wear pants for "special events" like having dinner with friends or going to a birthday party, it's a matter of what we consider important.

[@darren430]

I’m in Medellín and I have noticed that red traffic lights is just a suggestion to stop and I only just saw a women brushing her teeth in her car

[@Angie-qj1mu]

try the mago biche popsicles 😅very goood

[@JavierHernandez-wt5nx]

in some tourist towns people do use shorts, in so hot land, go to melgar tolima! That is the must tourist town of colombia, rolos do use shorts in hot land

[@leidymosquera7965]

Yeah! I don't like greetings in Colombia although I am paisa !!! When they ask me "how are you?" I am going cray because I don't know what they want to hear (I don't know if I have to be specific because if I am not maybe they will think I'm angry at something or I ask myself if they do really care) ... What do they want???!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sandragutierrez5264]

Hello, we are planning a trip to Columbia. And I have a question. Is it more convenient and safe to get a car rental while we are in columbia?

[@AKJoel]

I don't understand your question sorry. Is it more convenient than where?

[@mariaguerlymartinez4802]

If you are good driving, otherwise just keep in mind people are friendly but traffic is wild, also depends the city you are going to. Bogota is hard to drive in, too many motorcycles.

[@erikajohanasalazargiron7176]

Another explanation about the "tinto"and lack of knowledge about good coffee in general is that some years ago all the good quality coffee was exported. It was not sold or distributed here. People got used to poor quality coffee and the culture of good coffee was not common. Also, good quality coffee is expensive for a lot of people who don't have enough resources to expend on that.

[@MiViejoDIM]

Not using Seat Belts might be common amongst the younger and "care free" population, but I say that among millennials and older people is a must and a good habit....

[@entrenamientoexclusivosder3332]

I'm Colombian and I also find stupid wearing long pants in really hot weather>

[@yosoy-steve]

Okay, the no shorts thing is so strange to me. I agree with A.K. there are MANY cities, nowhere near a beach where shorts are worn. P.S. Congrats you two!! -Steve

[@space_btwn_notes]

in buenos aires argentina, they have a salsa social outdoors that moves around in location a bit -- their way of showing the location is a guy uploads a 15 minute video each week, showing him -driving- to the spot. No lie!

[@lancestone4409]

The not wearing shorts things is not wired at all. I'm Jamaican and it's rare to see someone with shorts outside of the beach ⛱️

[@gridlock82]

Im half Colombian and I agree , I don’t like it when Colombians call for a favor and start asking how your life is right beforehand just because it’s courteous , it just comes off as being fake when all they really care about is whether you will do them the favor or not , it feels like a manipulation tactic , fake being nice to make it more likely that the person will help you

[@AKJoel]

Yeah, I immediately know they're gonna ask for something when the fake questions start lol

[@craigs1437]

Kind of reminds me of what sociopaths and psychopaths do, part of the dark triads. I love psychology, and people closest to me i.e., blood relatives turned out to be the complete opposite of family (family isn't always biological). Study the eyes, they tell allot.

[@gladiator-dh5cb]

Disagree. I feel the states are waaay more fake with the fake smiles and a whole bunch of BS.

[@inolvidable.]

I am Colombian, but being courteous is respect. Colombians are very popular for being courteous and respectful in general, of course, there are always exceptions. It is not about being fake, it is just culture. For some reason people love Colombian culture, to then start criticizing. I am very straight forward when I need something, but, I first say hello, and ask about how you are doing really quick; otherwise, it is interpreted as being rude and inconsiderate, like saying, "All I care if what you can do for me, or what I can get from you", not you as a friend or colleague", like taken for granted or wanting to use people. So, you are not even half Colombian, you already lost the Colombian principles. I am glad most tourist visiting say we are very educated; perhaps, the last country with such formalities. But foolish those who take it as "fake", which shows how uneducated they are themselves. Americans and some other cultures have no manners, speak with full mouth, and name themselves first when including themselves in a group. "El burro adelante". Example: "Me, and my parents visited Colombia", instead of saying, "My parents and I visited Colombia". How silly that instead of appreciating it, it is taken as an annoyance. And yes, I have dual citizenship, living in the States for half of my life.

[@JWinch]

Well if they start asking things that indicate they remembered something nonobvious about the person, then it isn't entirely fake.

[@jimmacao927]

Hey , you think Colombians are driving crazy? You should be a passenger with me. Colombians always get shocked when I am driving, no idea why. Maybe its because I am from Germany. We are used to go 300 km/hour. 😅

[@LuisBermudez-h6m]

About the lack of seatbelts. USA standards for safety in cars got tighter in the 90's due to government regulations, however those same cars were not able to be sold in latinamerican countries due to the same standards, meaning 2 tier safety standards, one for wealthy countries, one for developing countries. Obviously Colombia and its counterparts got the short part of the stick

[@cutuo]

Having naps... Is my favorite! Here in australia is seen very badly! 😢

[@DondiniMontefusco]

I believe shorts are not recommended or default clothing in MDE. However, I’ve seen on the Metro some short pants on both men and women. Check it out sometime👀👍🏼

[@masalaofcultures]

First, the jhumka earrings are precious. Second, my Indian husband while living in Pereira couldn't understand why we mock each other and laugh at the most tragic situations. Not sure if it's just my family and social circle, but we definitely make fun of all disgraces.

[@devil634]

@AKJoel 3. Audio messages/notes: once again, part of this culture, which I have never seen in any other one. I do think this is something positive we should take from Colombians; the truth is, it is simply easier to speak instead of⁠ texting. Downside to this, if we’re looking for some information of a message that was sent to us days ago, we can’t just find it on a text with a quick glance or search mode, we have to listen to the whole long audio notes. On the other hand, we should use it based on our NEEDS. For someone who drives a lot, it’s better to receive an audio message, as well as sending one. If we work in an office environment having a lot of conferences, meetings, or are surrounded by other colleagues, it’s not the best to have to play the audio message out loud or look for headphones so not everyone can hear them. I want to read the message quietly and move on. If someone sends me an audio message, I’ve had to wait over an hour because I’m on a conference call on my device and can’t play it; basically, it all depends on our needs, but Colombians don’t think about this and this is the go-to method. 4. Stop and go stop and go while driving. I hate that too bottom line, people are just bad drivers. You can know how to drive well while being a bit aggressive without being a bad driver. In example, going into a roundabout “if you don’t stick your nose, you will never get in“. Even though you have to be a bit aggressive as part of the driving culture for the same reason, you won’t go anywhere.) it is a bad cultural habit from Colombia. One thing to point out learning to drive in Colombia is the best school! I learned there and I can drive anywhere, not the case for someone who has learned to drive, or normally drives in the US or somewhere else. They just can’t do it.

[@Tim8mit]

Having watch hundreds of videos of walking tours in Medellin....I have notice many more local people wearing shorts now in comparison to Colombia 20 years ago. Coffee, many Colombians like instant coffee, which is strange in the land of coffee. I'm married to a Colombiana , I always thought it was just her, not getting to the point of a conversation.. One you didn't bring up, if staying a home all day one might not dress seriously ie, stay in pyjamas. This was helpful

[@Chazzmatazz]

If a stranger texts me with "Good morning. How are you?", I am assuming spam and blocking.

[@devil634]

@AKJoel 6. Showering: I have never heard of this nor it makes sense. Hardly anyone has the time to shower again throughout the day just cause. This may be something particular of your friend not a Colombian culture. 7. ⁠ no shower so you can’t go to work? I’ve never heard of that most companies even in Colombia would not allow that. Once again this may be a specific situation or case of someone you know not part of the culture of Colombia.

[@kobehendrix3911]

The shorts thing makes no sense, it has nothing to do with the beach and everything to do with the heat

[@ronhartley4307]

I made the error of calling someone “sapo” which means nosey. Big error. I also couldn’t understand why they asking me so many questions. I was waiting for them to ask for a blood test and saliva sample. 😂It’s extremely rude and they did not find it funny when I used that word. Caution.

[@gladiator-dh5cb]

It's all about formality. I understand Colombians completely even though it may not be the most efficient way of speaking. It has standards and etiquette. That includes wearing shorts, pleasantries etc. I am not Colombian but have lived in la capital for many years. At this point I prefer the Colombian way. I would associated with old world Spain. Again I like it. Standards are important.

[@CM-vt8vs]

Heads Up , interesting topic, thanks for sharing, this is what I've learned throughout the years living outside Colombia .... A Foreign Person in Colombia cannot understand the Old School and Politically correct attributes for dressing in Public There, and this is obviously to an extreme You can experience daily from interactions with others where a Cultural practice say, from You, an Australian Visitor wanting to dress in shorts all Day long? It's difficult for many Colombians to accept this..... I think being Open Minded is poorly understood .... After living outside of Colombia for over 10 years I still cannot believe that in Hot Cities like Medellin and Cali?, most people do not dress up in shorts? But here goes a point of contention, Women Do dress in Short dresses and skirts while most Men dress mostly in pants and shirts, otherwise, Men wearing shorts It is publicly criticized.... but If You persist long enough? Countless similar interactions can also end up being used as a competitive sort of game, Who knows? My Mother and Father raise Me to always dress properly or, A lot of Colombians I know idealize "One must be ready at all times bcs a business opportunity can be waiting for Me around the corner? ... Where the interest of that Colombian Critic has to be sorted out more carefully, In Other Words, Peer Pressure is very strong and it is palpable throughout the Colombian Society..., In a Few Words: "Chill out Dude, I wear shorts You wear pants, Everybody is Happy..." As a decent way to shunt them OFF ... NEXT, It is the way people Communicate in Colombia and What You mentioned its definitely true! ..., They talk Spanish in Slang fast, with the loud TV in the background, I think everyone there has developed A strong Social Stamina, They can be conducting 3 conversations at once, and in the middle of a loud party,... That is a lot to take already, and so even If You catch every expression Your Colombian friends are saying to each other? That amount could be a low percentage in the entire day conversations... You can take it as part of the Cultural crash when visiting Colombia, so open you ears and peel you eyes because Their Slang its endless..., but remember, You are there representing Your Culture and even with all the Ausie slang that You must be acquainted with, it would be pointless for You to try to use it in Colombia..., Say A few words? Yeah! but a lot of them? Nah!, You will be seen as silly person .... so, stay as a polite and patience Foreigner with Everyone You meet and You hope They can understand Your Love for their Culture as well..., but in most cases it is hard to communicate because it is like a Novel playing in front of Your eyes, While Colombians See all of those questions as a Care for them, asking endless questions and if something happened to You it becomes the endless topic or point of most conversations for days to come.... Cheers

[@americanaccentcoach]

If Colombia is such a dangerous country, with pickpockets all over, then why do Colombians always stand so close to each other to the point that strangers will constantly brush against you?

[@JWinch]

I'm not sure where pickpockets came from since the video talked about theft by a motorcylist. Also, if everyone is close together (e.g. on a crowded subway) there is no way for the robber to get away fast if he is discovered.

[@jennygarcia4660]

Even Barranquilleros don’t put on shorts often and it’s HOT there 😅

[@matthewjohnson7350]

Curious if you too are still together...tbh she does not seem that into you, which of course is more common than not in Medellin

[@ronhartley4307]

My dentist would lose his mind If I told him I brushed my teeth six times. he would tell me that it’s bad for my gums. They must not brush as hard 😊

[@johny9685]

My input: 1. Bringing hordes of family members to a meeting to which you have invited only one person. This is a plague! When you invite your girlfriend on holiday, but she insists on bringing five sisters, her mother, father, uncle, and the uncle's lover - absolute tribal solidarity. 2. They always have to profit from doing you a favour. It is a country where you pay for everything, even things you do not want. For instance, friends who were supposed to help me find a flat added 300,000 COP to the price for six months! 3. Forcing you to dance even if you do not want to. Pitiful - they dance well, but why force others? 4. The veneration of the mob Escobar in the provinces: why do his images hang on buses, in cafés, and in restaurants? They claim to be ashamed of this dark history, yet they miss their Robin Hood. !!!

[@inolvidable.]

They are not obligating you to dance, they want you to come out of the shell and encourage it, plus help you do it by integrating you to the crowd or party. You are probably too shy or have some unresolved complexes. If there are popular people for being nice, generous, ready to help for no reason, those are Colombians. You are with the wrong crowd, or you attract people of the kind. I am Colombian and have never seen someone bringing the entire family for a date. Unless it is a party. Otherwise, you are with the wrong crowd wanting to use you. Be wiser before choosing with whom to socialize, but don't generalizing about a culture because a experience. The only people venerating Escobar are probably poor people who were given a house by him. Everybody else dislikes Escobar and feel ashamed about him. Once again, don't generalize, that's a very small group in Medellín.

[@dukeboy51]

2. Those people were not your "friends", trust me