Could someone educate me about the whole strata thing?

utopiacowboy says on Aug 14, 2006, 22:06:

It was done to death not too long ago: http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/19783 Sorry, Strobers, that's as close as I can come to being helpful.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 14, 2006, 22:42:

thanks utc Yeah, it seems like the kind of thing that must be old news. But since I'm still kind of a newbie, I figured I had to ask. I appreciate the link and will read up.

What strata would a señorita be if she worked at a car stereo store and made about $250 a month? Some college education. Works full time to support mom and siblings, nieces and nephews. Just curious. It has zero to do with how I feel about her.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Crazy4Cali says on Aug 14, 2006, 22:50:

Strata is location Strata has nothing to do with the person or where they work, or what they do. In some cases there is very little correlation. Typically, strata 1 and 2 is pretty poor, 3 and 4 is "middle class," and 5 and 6+ is "upper class." As with any "rule of thumb," each neighborhodd is going to be different.

The only way to know in what strata she lives (and not what strat she is) is to know her neighborhood. If you ask her, be sure to ask, in what strata her house is. Do NOT ask what strata SHE is!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 14, 2006, 23:01:

I really appreciate that clarification. To be honest, from context I thought that it did apply to people, not just neighborhoods. And the concept really bothered me. Now I just read up on the other thread and understand quite clearly what the whole system means.

In my book, she's a strata 100! But I think her neighborhood is quite low. Dirt streets that turn into raging brown rivers when it rains. Old buildings. Not many streetlights. The houses have electricity and plumbing, it sure ain't fancy! But I know there are poorer places too.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

el flaco says on Aug 15, 2006, 02:12:

Is this just in Bogotá, or does it apply to every town?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 15, 2006, 05:53:

My wife lived in estrato 4 and constantly hobnobbed with estratos 5 and 6. Her mother lives in estrato 6 and so did her grandmother. I wouldn't get too hung up on it.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Aug 15, 2006, 06:10:

Please search this site. You will find additional information in detail.

It is not a social strata in Colombia but you might can make the case that it has a statistically significant correlation. Would be an interesting study for a theses.

Incidentally, better be careful because some of the "intellectual heavy weights" on this site will take you to task on the use of strata instead of estrato.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 15, 2006, 09:30:

I think it was pretty well established that "strata" and "estrato" are both correct, just in different languages. Desideria made that quite clear (thanks desi ~ I really like your posts; where have you been lately?)

Which is correct, "house" or "casa?" "friend" or "amigo?"

The intellectual heavy weights crack me up with their forced correctness, often overlooking the obvious truth.

The fact tha some social stratification correlates to actual strata lines doesn't surprise me since it is sadly a human tendency to stigmantize and generalize. In the states, although we don't have the numbering system, our neighborhoods certainly have reputations and we tend to judge people and socialize with them based on these artificial parameters.

And yes, hot women have an easier time crossing the line here too!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 15, 2006, 09:57:

Right here, David I'm glad for the positive feedback, thank you!

I haven't had much to say in the recent discussions about idiot gringos and elmo's burras but I try to get a word in when I find something I can contribute with.

Colombians themselves never use that e-word to classify people. Housing, neighbourhoods, yes. Discussing property values and the cost of utilities, all the time. Never have I heard anybody called "strata 2 person" in real conversation in Cali, the city that I'm familiar with. I'm not saying that there isn't social stigma in living a poor and unsafe neighbourhood and much uglier words than "strata something person" are freely used. It's common knowledge that many people prefer to go down on starta to lower the cost of their utlities, since especially electricity is quite costly in Colombia.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

william_andrew_channell says on Aug 15, 2006, 11:11:

Thanks!!! That's the first time I've ever been called an "intellectual heavy weight". I'm going to send this to my mom!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Aug 15, 2006, 17:57:

I think in Colombia, a man that is succesfull.. in business (legally) has a better chance to move up in social status, that's to say is more readilly accepeted into a new peer group by other men, than a woman who marries up has of being accepted by other women in her new peer group (all bets are off on models and beauty queens).

BillyB

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Aug 15, 2006, 22:24:

Social parallels too - check military service reqs Agree with Desi: while it might not be blatantly spoken about, I agree it ties in...(but then it does to some extent in a number of places outside of Colombia too).

Ask someone about military service.

Kids (guys I guess) that go to university get cushier postings - no combat- and kids from the top estrato seem get to get out of doing military service altogether.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 16, 2006, 10:10:

Estrato While estrato technically only refers to buildings, it IS a verbal shorthand for describing someone's class status in Colombia, despite where they might actually live. Refering to someone as Estrato 6 is similar to saying about someone that she's a real Park Avenue Princess or saying somone is from Beverly Hills.

You can even refer to someone as part of an estrato that doesn't really exist, por ejemplo, estrato once (11). That would be the super-jetsetting rich of Colombia, the see-and-be-seen models and sons of presidents...

And I suppose you could also be estrato 0.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2006, 20:18:

I just learned something I guess I am clueless. I have been living in Colombia now for 2 months, and I had no idea there was a strata number for houses. While reading about this topic, I asked my fiancee' what strata her mom's house is. Looks like the correct answer is 2. I asked her what our apartment is, and she answered 3, or maybe 4. Anyway, I was oblivious to this strata or class system. Sorry if my choice of words isn't correct. Thankyou to everybody for teaching me something else! Rob

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Aug 21, 2006, 20:22:

Robert It is in your utility bills. Just check it next to your name and address.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rocinante says on Aug 21, 2006, 21:32:

I lived in a 2 and as of July 25th I'm in a 3 (Theme song from "The Jeffersons" playing in the background). I don't care to go higher than that. It's all about the impuestos baby!

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.