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Colombian term for light skin?

What words are used to describe either a white person or a person with light skin?

By Cleansing on Oct 12, 2007, 23:19 in Friendly Talkzone.

la campiña says on Oct 12, 2007, 23:55:

sorry dont know, but i remember seeing a film years ago, it was mexican I think , the usual classic, anyway a jealous latina described a european skin colour as , like the colour of a dead white fish, ha its always stayed with me, oops sorry , continue

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Cerealkiller says on Oct 13, 2007, 00:23:

"blanco" ?

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 13, 2007, 01:01:

Blanco is correct. But mono or mona describes a white person (pale) with blond hair. I have heard both terms. Neither are derogatory - at least in Colombia.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 01:03:

And "negro" is used for a black person, also not derogatory at all in Colombia. "Gracias mi negro" isn't derogatory either, however weird that may sound :)

Poor but snappy

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 13, 2007, 02:23:

I just wrote a pretty long follow-up to Peter's post ... it got lost / erased. But he is correct. There is nothing offensive about using the terms "negro", "negrita", "blanco", "mona", etc. One thing refreshing about Colombian culture is that you can call a person a term referring to their skin tone, and there is no malintent perceived or intended. If you see a huge, fat, pale, white guy, it is safe to call him a "mono gordo" ... even feo if he is ugly. There is no comprehension or thought of it being offensive. Even the term gringo in Colombia holds no stigma, and is a term of endearment for many. What I think is so cool, is my wife has never even heard the words "spic" "n***er" "cracker", "honky", etc. She has no concept of, and has never been exposed to, negative racial terms like those. I am sure with time in the US, and after she becomes more fluent, she will unfortunately become exposed to that filth.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 03:10:

Sorry the post got lost. There's a problem with logins, that may have caused it. Working on it...

Poor but snappy

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Peter (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 03:11:

And yes, it's supertypical for foreigners to get offended at first when they hear Colombians using these terms. "Gracias mi negro", "Hey gordo", "el gringo", ... It's all meant affectionately :)

Poor but snappy

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 04:10:

Yeah, Peter, that's all good, but be aware of that demonstrative pronoun "este" before the word gringo, negro, gordo...like in "este negro...", "este gordo..." accompanied with pointing with your lips. Not so nice any longer....

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Rob77 says on Oct 13, 2007, 06:01:

In Colombia, "Oye, Monito, colaborame porfa!"

In Mexico, "Oye, Guerito, una moneda!"

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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Bill Turley says on Oct 13, 2007, 06:07:

I am refered to as El Gringo con el leon, also Papa Noel. I have been warmly adopted by this community. I have heard a mother speak of her darker ( not black) daughter as Negrita and the whiter one as La Mona

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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peterNC says on Oct 13, 2007, 06:34:

My young wife refers to her best friend as... la flaca... her nickname for me is/was Gordo back before I even had any gut... I've heard negra used by the men quite often as another term of endearment...

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Dan says on Oct 13, 2007, 07:45:

Other than gringo, I've been called "Blanquito" I can't say I've heard of any others.

God Bless America!

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morphus says on Oct 13, 2007, 08:40:

"piel de yucca"

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Cleansing says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:09:

Wow, you guys reply quick. This board is active. I may stick along just to learn more. Gringo, Blanco, Blanquito all sound familiar to me. I was looking for this other term that I've never heard before.
So maybe I was looking for

In Colombia, "Oye, Monito, colaborame porfa!"

In Mexico, "Oye, Guerito, una moneda!"

as one of you mentioned.

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Man Tequila says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:16:

Fantasma? Pastoso? Alabastro? Lejía? Albino? Leche? Huevon?

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:18:

Jajaja MT, you forgot Tiza

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:22:

Queso alpina?
Carekumis
blancanieves

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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webmanco says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:25:

Cara Pálida

JK

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Man Tequila says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:27:

Piel de Michael Jackson?

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webmanco says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:29:

I gues it was the translation given to whites in the movies from Llanero Solitario.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Peter (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 11:02:

Piel de Michael Jackson - brrrr.... scary!

Poor but snappy

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Lcacique says on Oct 13, 2007, 11:49:

How about gabacho? I know it means foreigner, but I've only heard it used in Colombia to refer to gringos. Negro o negra doesn't just refer to "blacks," most often i have heard it used towards people that do not have any signs of african ancestry.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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la campiña says on Oct 13, 2007, 11:52:

I've also heard it used for bad bass players, ha ha

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Portena says on Oct 13, 2007, 12:04:

What about Rubia or Rubio being used for blondes? Not used? Or just not as common as Mono or Mona?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 12:22:

Rubio or rubia is used for blondes, but Mono/mona is a wider expression. You don't have to be rubio to be mono, it's enough to have brown hair and light skin tone. On the llanos, they use catiro/catira for people with blond hair and clear eyes.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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nine inch nails says on Oct 13, 2007, 13:02:

Try "Guedo"(Whitey) with two dots above the u. This is what the ELN guerrillas called their member Anna from Medellin in "Two Wheels Through Terror" on pg. 97 which is an excellent read.

I love that sweet pretty house music, house music....

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Colombiche says on Oct 13, 2007, 13:03:

"Queso alpina?
Carekumis
blancanieves"

Pateyuca, patekumis, blanqueto, una leche, mono leche, mono, moneco, bombillo, tan blanca que alumbra....

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 13:46:

I am usually called ¡Hola, bombón!

;-)

I've also heard mono, gringo, americano, doctor, "un poco morenito" (after San Andres) but never a "hey, you!"

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nine inch nails says on Oct 13, 2007, 13:49:

el doctor! Nice

I love that sweet pretty house music, house music....

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 13:56:

Dotór?
Were you wearing a suit and a tie?
Polished shoes?
A briefcase?

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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poco says on Oct 13, 2007, 13:57:

Quote: una leche

Kind of like saying You're milky, hear that over the phone all the time.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 14:05:

Desi - I don't remember wearing a tie, but I was wearing a suit jacket (sport coat). Back in the 'good old days' (around 2002) I could be standing in line with the rest of the peasants at El Dorado, and a Delta agent would pluck me out of there and check me in through the Elite/First Class line. But now there are all kinds of gringos flying, the cachet level has dropped significantly, and that doesn't happen anymore. Oh well, my most recent flight on Continental will make me eligible for "Elite" status for all of 2008. Yippee!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 14:15:

It's probably the smell of money

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 14:17:

Don't I wish. If I had real money, I wouldn't be flying 'economy.'

;-)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 14:20:

If you don't have "real" money perhaps it's the smell of other people's money clinging to you that makes you so special

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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poco says on Oct 13, 2007, 14:32:

Quote: Continental will make me eligible for "Elite" status for all of 2008.

Plus, you can get frequent flier miles on a chase card,, maybe DOUBLE !!!

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 13, 2007, 14:48:

How about calling your wife "VIEJA" and your mother 'VIEJITA"!? LOL

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 15:02:

Liza is my husband call me "vieja" one day i'll kick him where the sun don't shine ;))))

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 15:05:

I have been called in Colombia negrita, mona, flaca, India, gordita even gringa! etc...

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 15:07:

mona paliducha, desteñida,te bañas con patojito.....

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 15:12:

Gordita si, pero lo que mas odio es cuando me dicen....."hola Desí, hace tiempo...estas repuestica, querida!"

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Man Tequila says on Oct 13, 2007, 15:14:

perla, marfil, leucocito, carne blanca, gringísimo

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Rob77 says on Oct 13, 2007, 16:31:

Years ago the ex-boyfriend of my gal was pissed off at me for stealing his girl, he called me "Cara de Quajada!"

That hurt . . . Not really. I figured he can call me whatever he wants, as long as the girl is on my arm!!!

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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la campiña says on Oct 13, 2007, 16:35:

ha , sticks and stones kind of gig

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 16:37:

Man T - "Carne blanca" is kind of crude. Where did you hear that? Were friends teasing you or were cannibals calling you to dinner?

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la campiña says on Oct 13, 2007, 16:39:

ha, dont forget the little spoon is on the far left, etiquet dont you know

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Man Tequila says on Oct 13, 2007, 18:34:

Well, I've never heard any of those terms used to talk about people, though I did here "carne blanca" being used at Koko Rico. I wasn't being serious when I wrote them.

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alezzz says on Oct 13, 2007, 20:23:

Gracias mi blanco .... werid as hell too ...

---Music is the strongest form of magic.---

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la campiña says on Oct 13, 2007, 21:07:

guacala

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njtea5 says on Oct 13, 2007, 22:07:

Mono

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romanc says on Oct 14, 2007, 21:59:

Persons with light skin are called "trigueno"
Persons with blond hair are called either "mona" or "mono" for female/male
Calling a person "negro" is not offensive at all.

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Cerealkiller says on Oct 14, 2007, 23:16:

Trigueno is a someone who is on the darker side. not quite black.
Blanco is someone with white skin.
Mono is any hair color other than black and brown.
Negro is Black
Chino is Asian

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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eywed says on Oct 15, 2007, 00:03:

My Wife always calls really really white People "Transparente" .

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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morphus says on Oct 15, 2007, 04:55:

Moreno is more polite than negro.

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john_stark says on Oct 15, 2007, 04:57:

Triguenos do not have dark skin. Salma Hayek is a triguena!

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morphus says on Oct 15, 2007, 05:00:

Triguenos are mestizo con sangre Indio, no?

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Man Tequila says on Oct 15, 2007, 06:39:

Context is everything. "Calling a person negro is not offensive at all". Though this is often true, sometimes this is said in an offensive way, "este negro", etc. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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Cerealkiller says on Oct 15, 2007, 12:43:

triguenos are darker when compared to blancos. Try comparing Salma Hayek to Nicole Kidman, big difference in my opinion.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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goin_south says on Oct 15, 2007, 23:03:

gringo.... term for light skin?

piel de luz?

“ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.”

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 16, 2007, 01:03:

Casper?

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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morphus says on Oct 16, 2007, 04:36:

Cabeza de panal

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kalder says on Oct 16, 2007, 04:44:

Trigueno/a is the term I hear in Valle del Cauca. For light skinned mestizo/as

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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morphus says on Oct 16, 2007, 04:51:

Some triguenos have tan skin and brown hair.

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john_stark says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:01:

I would agree that Salma Hayek's skin tone is darker than Nicole Kidman's. OTOH, my wife is a triguena and her skin is pale and she burns easily. I'm a certified gringo and I can handle the sun better than she can. There is nothing exact about terms like morena or triguena.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:07:

According to my Colombian Cedula, I am Trigueña

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kalder says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:09:

Snr. Kalder's a triguena and looks similar to John's wife.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 16, 2007, 06:35:

When you are a triguena, you can tan easily, we are olive skin. We don`t get pink or red, we get a golden tan!. Right KAt1?

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morphus says on Oct 16, 2007, 06:45:

I get red, I'm no good.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 07:03:

Agree Liza, we tan very easily and we get a lovely golden tan with a nice glowing rosy cheeks :)))

but we do need to use sun protection sometimes as we can also also burn easily.

My dad turns red just like a lobter

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 09:18:

Lol GIB

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Cerealkiller says on Oct 16, 2007, 09:20:

I get red too. Its really bad.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 10:01:

Lobster, tomato...that's me ;(
In my Colombian cedula it says "blanca rosada" :))) sounds so much better. I turn red first and then light, rosy brown.
My kids are "trigueño" in their Colombian passports and their skin is fairer than mine.

I believe it's totally arbitrary how they write down your skin tone in Colombian documents. It truly "in the eye of the beholder". Nobody really cares, either, it's no big deal.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 10:13:

Who hands out these names? A bureaucrat stands there with a reference card showing all the various shades of skin? Or does he/she simply scribble down whatever comes to mind?

Is there an appeal process? Haha

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elmodefoque says on Oct 16, 2007, 10:14:

not to BRAG, I wont even describe the color i get after going to the beach

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Oct 16, 2007, 10:27:

colombian skin color

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Oct 16, 2007, 10:48:

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 16, 2007, 10:59:

Tinto, I believe there's some kind of reference frame, but nobody really cares. It's "I'm the bureaucrat, I think you're that color and that's it". Appeal? I've never heard of a such thing in Colombia.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 16, 2007, 14:20:

I never go out without sun protection, and I still tan, I the winter here in California, I get very white and I hate it!. I got a nice tan this past trip, especially in San Andres, and I am trying hard to keep it.
My son looks exactly like his dad, but he has the olive skin, thank God.

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john_stark says on Oct 16, 2007, 17:39:

"My dad turns red just like a lobter."

Is he considered a trigueño too?

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 17, 2007, 04:20:

no, many people in Colombia say he is Blanco, but living in Villavo he gets the sun quite a lot and he is not as white as he used to be when he was living in Bogota, if he comes and spend a month here in the UK he will be as white as my husband. so at the moment i will considered him trigueño

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elmodefoque says on Oct 17, 2007, 05:46:

too bad we can't all be blanco, some us have to live with this (below) horrible color
100% guajira girl in need of a serious suntan.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Oct 17, 2007, 06:37:

listen, I’m what they call “un viejo verde,‿ in 75 years on this planet I’ve enjoyed chucha from just about every corner of the planet and let me tell you, only two stand out as the greatest I ever had. This girl here and a Puerto Rican girl back in the late 70’s.
I can’t describe what makes this girl so wonderful in a public forum like this cus is a little too X-rated so I will continue in your profile. See ya there.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 17, 2007, 16:58:

One more day Elmo, you will be 80 years old!

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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romanc says on Oct 17, 2007, 21:47:

According to my Colombian Cedula, I am Trigueño and I have a light dark skin

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john_stark says on Oct 17, 2007, 21:51:

You're a helluva lot darker than my wife.

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goin_south says on Oct 17, 2007, 22:47:

WHY DO THEY PUT THIS INFORMATION ON A CEDULA???

“ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.”

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 18, 2007, 00:59:

Good question GS. The first time I saw this topic come up almost a year ago, I looked at Mrs. RJ's cedula. I sure can't see anything that describes color. Absolutely nothing pertaining to skin shade. Of course you can see she is O blood type and can see her fingerprint. But no color designation. If I had to call her a color, I would call her "faded burnt umber". Myself, I am yellow pink in the summer, and pink white in the winter.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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goin_south says on Oct 18, 2007, 01:12:

Oh? so... apparently, we have 'Options' as for the info on a cedula? or.... a bunch of pbSh posters are star-gazing once again, eh?

“ I would rather be a conservative nut job rather than a liberal with no nuts and no job.”

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2007, 01:31:

RJ the new Cedulas don't have that information. it was the old ones.

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Cerealkiller says on Oct 18, 2007, 10:42:

I dont have that stuff on my cedula either.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2007, 10:54:

As I said in the new Cedulas they took that info off, but go and check the old cedulas and they have it. I haven't change my old cedula to the new one yet, i think I have time until 2009.

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webmanco says on Oct 18, 2007, 11:24:

Mine says Piel Canela

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2007, 11:26:

Mine says fresas con crema

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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elmodefoque says on Oct 18, 2007, 11:28:

la mia tambien dice "piel canela pero con mucho liver spots"

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 18, 2007, 11:29:

ahhh...pero es mejor eso y no color higado con salpicón de canela?

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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