Why I'll NEVER Understand Colombians...

✅ Get Your FREE Medellin Relocation Guide here: medellinmaster...
Colombian culture is very different to where most of us expats are from...
In this video we sit down to discuss and explain 10 things Colombians do that I'll never get used to, no matter how long I've been living in Colombia!
G'day, my name's AK and on this channel I explore expat life in Medellin, Colombia. Whether you're considering moving to Medellin or just visiting Colombia, I've got you covered. Join me as I show you exactly what living in Medellin and Colombia as an expat is really like.
#colombia #colombians #medellin #medellincolombia #travelcolombia #colombianculture #cultureshock

[@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 🙂

[@sandrallancherosg]

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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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?! 😂

[@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

[@user-hp2rb8yx7p]

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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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?

[@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

[@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....

[@TJckr]

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

[@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

[@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 !

[@space_btwn_notes]

great convo my man! i love it

[@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.

[@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…

[@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

[@brittanyenright4110]

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

[@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

[@davidrobinson787]

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

[@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

[@kentcovington]

Congrats on the wedding AK!! 🎉

[@AKJoel]

Thank you!!

[@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.

[@ando9191]

3:24 It's always a competition for us lmao

[@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 ;-)👙

[@nuevaalternativa2630]

People in Colombia are used to wear shorts, Medellín and Bogotá are the exception, cu'z Cali, Buenaventura, Barranquilla, Buga, Dagua, Bucaramanga ETC they Wear them.

[@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

[@user-ry1cc1im6f]

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

[@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.

[@micheleprinzi9003]

Nos im in Colombia 17 years el Carmen de Viboral

[@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

[@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)

[@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!

[@sandrallancherosg]

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.

[@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!

[@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. 💯

[@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 😅

[@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.

[@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.

[@micheleprinzi9003]

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

[@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

[@user-ry1cc1im6f]

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

[@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.

[@cutuo]

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

[@GregPorto1]

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

[@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

[@user-ry1cc1im6f]

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.

[@juanmagm]

I"m paisa bien and raised, and i live wearing shorts and sandals, there"re plenty of pools!

[@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

[@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

[@nlryan1]

On the driving…never stopping at stop sign ! Seat belts is a big one for me because of the driving..

[@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

[@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

[@KurtRWalker]

I literally was just explaining the shorts thing to a Latina not from Colombia yesterday! too funny.

[@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

[@ando9191]

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

[@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!

[@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👀👍🏼

[@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%

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@jennygarcia4660]

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

[@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

[@davidandersgage-pd3kr]

Very fun, nice couple both smile and laugh easily on camera….😂😂😂

[@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 ⛱️

[@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

[@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....

[@eli.eliblue]

Entonces la pantaloneta es muy informal para existir y trabajar en la ciudad porque no estás de paseo pero responderle a un cliente dentro de un entorno laboral está bien enviar un audio súper confuso e incómodamente confiansudo. Ah bueno, tenemos claro el concepto de profesionalismo

[@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

[@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.

[@albollinger5431]

Not a big city lover.. Medellin is a nice city with a lot of good points. But it's packed like a can of sardines. I wouldn't live here but good place to get things done or bought. Highly funcional... ans amable..

[@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 😂

[@holgermessner851]

Greetings from Panama. Jajajaja. Latin America is like Europe in the 1950/60’s. Pants to go to the bank, government or municipal offices. If you are interested to buy something from a business and there is a “Get a quote” - they just sending you the price of the product on the website. Example: Car is $24,000 + tax. Quote is … right. $24,000 + tax. That’s ridiculous. And yes. My girlfriend is cleaning her teeth 6-8 times a day, takes a shower 4-6 times a day. I had to get used to shower 3 times a day and she still says that I am a pig… jajajaja. And the long chats is normal for a German guy like me. When we ask in Germany “How are you?” - we actually tell the neighbors all what’s going on in or life. That’s why the neighborhood knows more about your family than you know. 😅 I did live 14 years in Canada. “How are you?” - Super! Fine! And so on. Don’t get into how you actually doing. - After a really heavy work related accident, I was diagnosed with CRPS, 24/7 pain. I was close to go nuts. Grumpy and I didn’t had a good sleep for ages, a therapist showed up in the morning. She was very young, but the boss. Commanding the other therapists around who had many years of experience. I talked already with some of my buddies in the Rehab center that we corner her. So she walks up and says: “How are you Holger?” And I started to talk like I would in Germany: “Horrible. No sleep. My girlfriend goes on my nerves…… The neighbors can’t clean their sidewalk. My whole upper body hurts from the accident and my stupid girlfriend wants to have sex every day. How should I do that? I can barely move! And my son in Germany…” (I am sure you get it) Anyway. This Canadian woman tried hard to get away from the conversation but the other clients had made a circle around us. She was moving around like a tiger in his cage! 😂 4 hours later, I had to see a doctor, she walked by, turned around and said: “I never say - How are you to you in my whole life! “ 😂😂 And yes. Latin culture is very different than North American culture. In Canada you look at a woman for 5 seconds and she calls security to check on “that creepy guy”. You keep your distance. In Panama, my 1st weeks were weird. Going with Panamanian friends to a restaurant or dance bar, the friends were hugging each other like “married couples “ 😅 and I was shaking hands “Hello nice to meet you” greetings. After a couple weeks, we meet the same people in the restaurants or bars. And there we go…. “Hey, Aleman. Are you gay? How come you don’t touch us girls? We never get a kiss! What’s your problem?…” I had to reset my brain. - And yes. My girlfriend is from Medellin, too. But I am a weird guy (if you listen to other Gringos) “How come your girlfriend is the same age like you? You could have two 30 year old girls instead one 60 year old one!” - Story of my life. I raised 5 kids in my life. Only one was mine. Should I raise another one? If I would take a 30 year old girlfriend, my son, 28, would say: “Dad. You getting weird!” 😂 - Another point. I am building a house in Panama by myself. Cutting blocks, working with concrete and so on. Getting up in the early morning I take a shower. Coffee. Getting my things I need and my dogs into the truck. Comes my girlfriend and says: “You don’t shower?!” I just had a shower. And in 10 minutes I am full of dust again. Her response? “Pig!” 😮 Like you said. Latins would like to carry a mobile shower with them all day long. - You don’t show - you don’t sell - That’s something we Westerners have to get use to! I actually like it when a woman has a nice dress on , high heels. Reminds me again on the 50’s & 60’s movies. But it gave me 3 weeks of horror in Panama. Why? My Panamanian friend in Canada, had a Canadian girlfriend. She was kinda weird but said always that she was open minded. They both came to visit me in Panama. I did asked my friend NOT TO BRING her. Many times! - Anyway. We go to the big MultiPlaza mall in PTY. After walking around we decided to get a coffee. Sitting there to relax, my friend’s girlfriend just said out loudly: “Are this all prostitutes?” Every woman who could understand this looked at our table! This did go on for 3 weeks! Beaches, dance bars, shopping malls…. “How come that everywhere in Panama are this hookers?” A NIGHTMARE! But.. There were situations where women just moved to our neighbor table and had fun to provoke my friend’s girlfriend. That’s when she started: “Ohhh I see. You are a regular customer….” Seriously? When day left, I was relieved. Well. My friend Juan got a year later rid of her. Open minded? Give me a break! - I see in the video that Joel (?) didn’t adjust his mind to the country he lives in. Women dress differently in Latin America. Especially women in business as lawyers, at the bank, in government offices. To say you wouldn’t hire a female lawyer because she is nicely dressed? That’s ridiculous! Clear your mind from your Australian life. Talking about professionalism. If you hire someone to do construction work around your place and he / she shows up with no tools - that’s unprofessional. - Ooohhh. Horrible! Telling your Colombian girlfriend that Colombians drinking coffee that taste like shit?! Honestly? Show some respect to the people in the country you live in! I’m absolutely sure, Australians, Europeans, Americans do drink or eat food - other countries won’t do. But they don’t talk the local people down! You should really change your mindset. You are lucky you didn’t say that in front of my girlfriend! Sorry. That’s a NO NO in any country.

[@devil634]

@AKJoel 8. ⁠“lack of professionalism“. I would say it’s an excessive vanity in the culture in the women population. Men are not unprofessional, so this is a different topic of vanity, women competing against other women and having to show, they don’t realize it looks bad, they think it looks good, but with people of other levels, it’s the opposite result. “El que no exhibe no vende”. I would completely disagree with the topic though (lack of professionalism) you should name it vanity or hyper sexualism, which is a spirit that reigns in Colombia, specially in Medellin.

[@duanepadilla2514]

Joel, loved the video! My girlfriend, who is from Medellin, is in the US visiting me so it was great to be able to watch with her and get her perspective at the same time. I had to laugh as she was busy leaving voicemail messages via WhatsApp right before we watched the video so right on the money with that observation.

[@sibagon8815]

The shorts part.. It doesn't have anything to do with a beach or not.. any city and even small towns: Colombia is very conservative in many things, pants is one of those. I'm Colombian and quite enjoy wearing nice shorts, cackies or whatever, I'm practical. But people will look at you a little weird if you went into a restaurant, lets say, Provenza wearing cackies.. Or a bank.. People do tend to "show" some status, or fake it at least by how you dress.. Honestly I don't give a crap. But when I'm working, (work tourism), do to the type of clients (usually high level) I use jeans, or outdoor pants, never shorts. When I have dared to wear shorts, even my providers would look at me weird for wearing shorts.. It's like with how you dress you represent the importance of the other part or place.

[@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.

[@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.

[@garethwilliams5187]

The shorts thing is just a Paisa/Medillin thing - for sure in Bucaramanga and Cucuta lots of people wear shorts around town 👍

[@johny9685]

Cucuta.... horrible place !!!

[@KurtRWalker]

Those are hotter places but I still found shorts to not be the thing across most of the country and cities

[@user-hp2rb8yx7p]

No son ciudades costeras. Los rayos solares actuan de una manera diferente a cierta altura.

[@carlitoxb110]

It is truth that most of us brush our teeth before leaving home but 6 times is just too much, i think most colombians brush our teeth at least 3 times a day

[@gladiator-dh5cb]

It is not just a Paisa thing at all. This is the reality in many big cities. Apparently you don't know Bogotá.

[@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 1. Shorts: it’s simply not part of our cultural traditions nor its formal. It’s not part of the idiosyncrasy of Colombians. Your girlfriend summarized it perfectly: “shorts and sandals: foreigner“ I would disagree that it has something to do with the beach or not. Your point is casual shorts in the city; it is more of part of an identity thing from the US or other countries, not the case in Colombia, why? Just part of the culture, even though you can see, it is being influenced and changed by external thoughts. 2. You do have a point, regarding saying hello (at least) which is part of common courtesy and being polite, once again for Colombians, we do take it to another level. I have counted an average of 3 to 4 different forms of saying hello on the same message with people that I’m communicating with, which is exaggerate, overkill. 1. “hola, 2. qué más? 3. ⁠cómo estás? 4. ⁠cómo te ha ido? 5. Cómo va todo?” Just to start A conversation…

[@ryanmccann8518]

Walking in the street is a free for all. There’s no walk on the left vs. right, it’s do whatever you want. This lack of organization expresses itself in many other ways in the country. Although, I don’t think they’re all bad.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Chazzmatazz]

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

[@Chazzmatazz]

Live in Denver. No beach in sight. Shorts completely normal.

[@sibagon8815]

The seatbelts in the back is something now mandatory by law.. since last year.. so that culture still not present..

[@sandrallancherosg]

Thanks! I enjoyed feeling angry about the content of this video.

[@edwardmille8879]

My Spanish is poor but I find it best to use WhatsApp because it's easy to translate the message into English and when I reply it's easy for them to translate into Spanish. Luckily I can use a lot of my Italian it's close enough.

[@semaifirtes]

Most clothing influences in urban Colombia originate in first world places like the U.S. or U.K. But Colombians perfected it with their special unique knowledge that shorts are for children or being at the beach. Somebody better let all the fashion designers in LA, NYC, LONDON etc. know about this breakthrough in fashion standards

[@luzecheverri9161]

Shorts are informal… even in cities like Cartagena and Barranquilla or Cali people wear pants to work… regarding fashion… it’s one of the reasons we think Americans dress sloppy… shorts, tshirt and put on the baseball cap and flip plops… with socks… and you dare talk about fashion??? Fashion Italians and French… not Americans… they are probably the worse dressed on the planet…

[@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.

[@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.

[@jonathanalbarracin4647]

What are you talking about? I live in Bogotá which is much colder that Medellin and I walk around with shorts everywhere

[@entrenamientoexclusivosder3332]

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

[@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.

[@zureprofe5024]

We use shorts in Cali!! And here there is no beach. But it's hotter

[@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.