Do Colombians know the meaning of a line??

platano says on May 24, 2006, 18:12:

Greg444, I have witnessed those attending people (bank tellers, post office window, etc.) continue to attend those in line and ignore the person who waltzed to the front and started talking.

I have also seen lines in which people begin shouting "¡respete la cola!" and then the person attending tells the person they will not be attended to until they wait in line. It is not always the case that people can successfully cut to the front of the line and get served.

The best situations are those in which you take a number and wait in comfortable chairs until your number comes up. (Banco Ganadero, Cali Sur)

plátano

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adrimm says on May 24, 2006, 18:14:

Not just Colombia I too find it irritating as hell (did you ever notice how narrowly most guide ropes/ribbons are placed in banks).

But it happens in lots of other places in the world too, one of those little cultural things. Goes both ways (ie. many Colombians think that North Americans are too brusque with closing car doors).

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Greg444 says on May 24, 2006, 18:16:

Who has the right of way in traffic? I see cars merge in traffic , but there seems no logic to who has the right of way. In the US the is clearly a car that has the right of way.

Surprisely I see very few accidents, even though they get so close.


Also , many times a driver approaching an intersection and having to make a right hand turn, he will go all the way to the inside lane and now gets bowed in trying to get to get back to the outside lane to make a RIGHT HAND TURN. Why not just STAY in the outside lane, you only have 30 yards to go until you reach the intersection to turn right. This has happened many many times.

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kernow62 says on May 24, 2006, 18:31:

I assume you are talking about American made Hondas and Toyotas.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on May 24, 2006, 18:35:

??? I meant the average car on the road in the US or Canada, regardless of manufacturer.

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juanalejo says on May 24, 2006, 18:52:

Slamming Doors My car is somewhat bigger than the average Korean Taxis around Colombia, yet I raise hell because it is something I have noticed average Americans tend to do, slam doors shut.

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platano says on May 24, 2006, 18:55:

Greg444, Who has the right of way? Generally it is determined by two factors: el más grande y el más vivo. Buses have the right of way, then trucks and narco-toyotas, then taxis, then come those without any rights at all: motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

plátano

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miamimike says on May 24, 2006, 20:53:

Hey Greg444 --Come to Miami If you Want to see Rudeness They pull this cutting to the front of the line all the time here in Miami. It is not only limited to Colombians though, I see it far more with Cubans. I used to politely put up with it at first, thinking it was a once in a while slighting. I soon found out it was the everyday behavior so when they pull this on me, I politely but firmly inform them the line starts behind the last visible person farthest from the cashier. So far they retreat, albeit with a disdainful look. One has to wonder what school of courtesy they attended? Lemon Chupadas.LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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kernow62 says on May 25, 2006, 04:18:

I thought you were going to say you've done some pretty good lines in Colombia. ;-)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 25, 2006, 05:00:

platano, where do the horse-drawn carriages come in that pecking order?

Cheers,
Desi
(still shaking from the impression caused by the frightful traffic in Cali with El MIO construction work going on further complicating the matters)


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

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stevecassidy says on May 25, 2006, 05:05:

slamming doors Yes.i got caught out on slamming doors, as in England it is not even mentioned. After about a week i got use to silent closing!! I noticed to that people did push in, but... we cannot judge as we are visitors. It happens everywhere doesn't it?? Colombia is beautiful and has some better things than England, namely Faith. Though a poor country people are happier as they have faith and their lives are not geared around materialistic things. Lessons there to be learned. Steve Cassidy

Steve Cassidy

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Gomezman5 says on May 25, 2006, 07:41:

I have to agree with Tinto It has to do with what you're acustomed to. I drive a Grand Marquis. That's a very big car by American standards. But when I am in Colombia, I take taxis all the time and I swear there are some drivers that want to kill me for the way I slam their doors. When you close a door, you don't think about how much forc you need to use to close it. You use the amount that you are accustomed to.

On the other hand, I have friends here with the same small cars as they have in Colombia....Corollas, civics,,etc, and they don't get all bent out of shape when I slam their doors with more force than is needed.

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platano says on May 25, 2006, 08:01:

Desi, Horses qualify as a form of pedestrian... two more legs but no more right-of-way rights!

plátano

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utopiacowboy says on May 25, 2006, 08:03:

They've got a phobia about door slamming of any type. They get bent out of shape if you shut a door in a building with a lot of force.

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.

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miamimike says on May 25, 2006, 09:13:

Gomezman I was tossed out of a Taxi in Bogota for slamming a Door. I beleive it also had to with the fact my Lady friend negotiated the taxi fare while I remained hidden in the doorway of this small restuarant. After she set the fare(thereby preventing the driver from charging the "Gringo Rate")we hopped in the Taxi and I gave the door a healthy, very healthy Slam, not more then 100 meters down the street the driver slammed the on brakes and told us to get out! He was foaming at the mouth! We were ROTFLMAO-it was Hilarious! Nope they don't like it a lick when you slam the door like it was stolen LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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platano says on May 25, 2006, 09:28:

I discussed this with Franko at length... Taxis are a means of livelihood. It is understandable that a taxi driver would want to preserve his or her investment. Knowing that this is important to them presents us with an opportunity to show a bit of cultural sensitivity. I used to enter the taxi, look directly at the driver and say: "Voy a cerrar la puerta con mucho cuidado" and their faces would light up. It is a good way to start off a taxi ride.

plátano

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 25, 2006, 09:38:

I made my own arrangements and wasn't charged a gringo price, for sure. I rode taxi a lot in Cali, not wanting to take advantage of my friend who gladly took me to all my errands if I just happenend to mention that I had something to do.

Luckily, the guy who put in my new toilets and washstands drives also a taxi. He's well-known to my friend and her family, his cousin is the painter they always employ. Between these two I got most of the work on my house done except the roof repairs that were done by professional roofers.

Anyway, my taxi driver was a blessing to have around. He took me to ATMs and stood guard while I retired my cash from the machines. He drove me around to buy building materials and wouldn't allow me to lift anything.

He also gave me glimpse into what's it like to drive a taxi. Your best working hours are, of course, the rush hours. On Mother's Day he was on duty, since luch hour on that day was really busy. They have to put gasoline in the car in the end of the day and deliver 50 000 pesos to the owner of the taxi. The rest of the money is their own salary.

Thanks Jorge, for being such a sweet person and a gentleman!

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

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 25, 2006, 10:20:

not.

engage brain before opening mouth

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oldbongo says on May 25, 2006, 10:36:

depends on the line... in some situations, like at most banks, you stand in line,
in fast food joints, you elbow, lunge, and shout for attention.
at the airport, the best way to avoid the long line is to grease
the portero, and have him take your tickets to the agent.
you want rude?....try taiwan.

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miamimike says on May 25, 2006, 10:50:

I should Add ...LOL That if the Taxi Driver that asked us to get out of his Taxi thought I slammed it Hard getting in, then he must have really went Ballistic when we exited as I slammed his Taxi Door doubly hard on the way out LOL. Beleive I got the attention of visitors on top of Monserrate with that Slam... ROTFLMAO

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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kernow62 says on May 25, 2006, 12:57:

That's fitting a Grand Marquis for a Grand Marcos. ja ja

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utopiacowboy says on May 27, 2006, 16:20:

They have it big bags and you They have it in big bags and you just stick your snout in there like a pig and root around until you're completely f*ked up.

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.

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