Inquiring Minds Want to Know: The Real Deal with Colombians GFs./Fiancees

utopiacowboy says on Sep 2, 2005, 21:51:

I don't think you're missing anything but I think some of these guys certainly are. Hmmm, let's think about this? How does a woman who has no visible means of support support herself? Anyone remember Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"? She always needed a few bucks for the powder room. That's what this reminds me of.

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.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 2, 2005, 21:51:

I don't think you're missing Dios mio.

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.

adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 2, 2005, 21:55:

BxUnika says on Sep 2, 2005, 22:42:

Ok, So I'm Not Just Insane I was always told that when a buzzer goes off in your head and tells you "Something isn't right", your sixth sense usually is correct indeed.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nanis says on Sep 3, 2005, 05:42:

ok i need to say something here! not that we are gold diggers or anything! but it's more like a tradition like my mother always says... mija don't give it for free to a low life bastard no no no!!! find yourself a decent man who will support you financially instead! and that's what most of us do it's called surviving my dear!

I too am a mother and single now! So if I’m going to let someone come between me and my daughter this person has got to be someone responsible and that will respect me and my daughter and will accept my daughter most of all if he knows that I am in a very difficult position and have no means of earning money then the least he can do is support me and my daughter financially! I’m not gonna sleep with some low life who can’t pay his own bills and who wont help me out! No way!!! I rather find someone who’s prepared to help me financially and that’s not being a gold-digger it’s called being intelligent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nanis says on Sep 3, 2005, 05:51:

however that doesn't mean that I am going to f*ck the first bald fat guy that crosses my path just because he's got money! i'm not like that i would only do it if i liked him and if he was especial to me so if i end up with a real old, bald and fat guy it would be because i do like him not just because he happens to be rich

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 3, 2005, 05:53:

ok this is probably the difference between a Latina and a woman raised up in more solid economies of the First World. Not having to worry about our survival we can discount using sex to get ourselves a provider. Daddy Government will provide if we can't do it ourselves, both for us, our daughters and senile grannies. We don't have to compromise. Sex can be just for fun, not a survival skill.

Another time-honored Colombian tradition is that grown-up children give cash to their parents, especially Mother. I can understand in families where money is an issue and parents are aging with a very small income, but oftentimes mothers except cash presents on regular basis from the sons and daughters and their spouses even when she doesn't actually need the money.

Cheers,
Desi

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

0 funny, 0 helpful.

2retirensa says on Sep 3, 2005, 05:59:

So glad I saw this thread I have NEVER posted an opinion on this subject, just like to stay low key here, but I was just writing an opinion for the "other" thread when this one popped up!! So I'll put my dos centavos here!

ANYONE (men or women) who needs to pay for "friends" has serious problems. (This is not an inference about anyone here needing to do that).
I do see the same concept here in the states with guys taking a women on elaborate first or second dates, flowers, gifts, etc. If the relationship lasts a couple months they are broke, back to the regular McD & movie date, and girls are gone! Rightfully so... You set the pace, and then can't/don't keep it up! Expectations only grow, not diminish.
(Back to topic) How do you think these women have been supporting themselves all this time? What would happen if you didn't send $$? They would probably be on to someone else who would. Thats what you want? Someone who will only last as long as your $$ do? You'll get what you deserve in the end, which may not come until your first financial reverasal (loss of job, health, etc.) I'll take a wild guess here and say the wives that are still with their husbands after or during a bad financial crisis are the women who took care of themselves before the marriage! I wonder how many are still with their husbands when they loose their $$ due to health, investments, lay offs, or what ever. (I can just guess where this thread will go now!)

The only thing I would consider paying for would be English classes (which in my opinion is more for the gringos benefit) which would not be a normal expense in the budget. Better yet, why isn't the gringo taking Spanish lessons and see how motivated his girlfriend is about learning English on her own?
I can make this 5 pages long, so I'll quit for the moment and hope I have this out of my system- though this is always a real hot topic with me.
These are my opinions in general- not a judgement about anyone on this board.
Maureen

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nanis says on Sep 3, 2005, 06:23:

You couldn't be more right Desi!! I know the difference in bringing up kids here in Europe and in Colombia. The young teenage and other single mothers even the ones that are married get financial aid from the government to raise their kids! but sadly we don't have that privilege back in Colombia and we gotta do what needs to be done to support our little family :( and if sex comes to mind then a girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do! although that would be my last choice because i think it is morally wrong to sell one's body but then as a mother you will do anything for your children wouldn't you??

my husband was raised in America and sometimes he used to complaint about the amount of money I used to send to my family in Colombia but it's something we can't help doing because we know what it's like to be poor and now that most of us are financially better than we used to be we want to show how grateful we are by helping others

As for traditions:

Yeah we also like to take care of our viejitos! Even if we still live in Colombia trying to make ends meet with our low paid jobs we would still find money to give our parents, there is a good Son-mother relationship in Colombia the sons are very grateful with their mothers and they always spend money on them something most Colombian wives don't feel comfortable with... you know how devious mothers-in-law can be!

As for mother-daughter relationships well as i said before mothers always encourage daughters to find a man that's better off financially and that's tradition although not many of us do what mother says!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on Sep 3, 2005, 08:17:

I dunno about tradition I guess my gf isnt very traditional in that sense.
I gave her a computer for her bday in June and she loved it but said it was too expensive and wants to pay me back.
I´m here and want to help out by paying half the utilities and the internet bill and she doesn´t want to let me. I finally convinced her to let me pay the internet, since I INSISTED she get a good broadband connection for when I came, and it was beyond her budget. I told her that I would pay all of it if I had to, and she STILL insists on paying me back every penny.
I don´t buy this whole third-world excuse crap. If someone wants to be independent in Colombia, they CAN be. They may have to make sacrifices for it, but it is still possible. It is certainly easier here than in most of the rest of Latin America.
If I saw my gf were in dire financial straits I would help her out without even thinking about it, but I certainly would expect her to do the same for me.
I know lots of people in Canada and the US in dire financial straits, and not all of them even qualify for any sort of assistance, most don´t actually. But I don´t love them, I love my gf.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

2retirensa says on Sep 3, 2005, 09:12:

Don't know why I'm spending energy on this either But, before I leave for the day, I'm compelled to agree 110% with GB.
The same principle applies all over the world. If someone is not looking for a visa, they'll be looking to catch up on bills, paid vacation, beauty salon etc, etc.- it all amounts to the same thing. Men and women both-you always have to be careful about the motives.
I'm not looking for someone to elevate my station in life, just to be a loving companion for the station I'm already in. If it ends up being better- so be it, but not until AFTER the wedding.

Women are faced with the same situation as you guys looking for wives. Today many women have more to offer than some guys, and many times they're so flattered some hunk wants to spend time with them, they'll start shelling out like the bank. Then he's gone when the bank closes. This seems to be a people thing that does not know the difference between male & female or what culture.
Maureen

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Sep 3, 2005, 10:27:

Same game, Different Players I can't understand why people find it so unique that there are many women in Colombia that pursue a relationship with a man because of his money. Doesn't the same happen in every country of the world?

I think it is common knowledge that there is no shortage of American women who are commonly known as "gold diggers". If an American man want to send a Colombian girl or her family money, so what? And it does not happen here in the US? In fact, I would submit it happens on a much larger scale in the US than it does in Colombia. I can't tell you how many of my wealthy friends, only date very beautiful women. These men are very gernerous with them. Clothes, jewelry, fine dining...etc. While there seems to be some inference here that the man is a less than admirable person, one has to keep in mind that the woman who is the other role player in this duet, is not exactly a fine example of lady.

The endless cycle of men purchasing women for sex/companionship, either directly with $, or through material items will outlive us all.
So what is the point in all of this?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:08:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:10:

CaryGrant says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:20:

Mrs. Gomez and Gomezman - exactly. In the past two years, I have had three women declare their love for me. One I dated briefly and casually, one I knew only professionally, and one was a friend. These women were good women, with good intentions - but they did not know themselves. They did not have money pressure the way many Colombian women do, but their clocks were ticking. So, they see what seems to be a nice guy, hard-working, takes care of himself, etc., and convince themselves they have feelings that aren't really there. Were they gold-diggers? Not really, but that tick, tick, tick can make *some* women do crazy things. Just as *some* men will pay for expensive dates, propose to a beautiful woman within moments of meeting her, etc.

Many Colombian women are more 'traditional' than American/Canadian/Euro women. Meaning, they expect the husband to support the family, including them. That does not mean they will not work, but they would prefer to focus on home and family. If you don't like that, get a Am/Can/Euro woman who will pop out a kid and be back to climbing the corporate ladder the next day. And then you can complain about how little time and attention she has for you, and your kids being in daycare, etc. And don't complain about sending money to mama while also saying how much you like the closeness of Latin families.

Now: Supporting a girlfriend: why would anyone do that? If she's asking, say goodbye. Run, in fact.
Supporting a fiancee: if your plan is to support her after marriage, and you've committed to marrying her, some people will choose to start that while engaged. Personally, I think it's better to wait till marriage.

When it comes to paying for out-of-the-ordinary expenses, why should the Can/Am/Euro guy not pay? Things like high-speed internet, English lessons, and so on? Look, I pay roughly 2% of my monthly salary for my own Spanish lessons. English lessons in Colombia (5 nights per week for 3 months) cost almost a month of my fiancee's salary, or about 7% of mine. Double that for her daughter's lessons. Do you really expect the woman to fork out 2 month's salary for English lessons? Every 3 months?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:32:

Ahhh but GDL, here is where I disagree "Blinders"?? Blinders??? I am not so sure that is true. So you and several othe posters are under the impression that these men are simply naive.

I disagree completely. I think you are giving less credit to the American man who knows exactly what he is doing. Let's go back to the popular stereotype (and stereotype it is) of the overweight, balding, gringo in his mid 50's. Do you really thing that he does not know that when he sends money off to some hot Colombian girl and /or the family that he does not know what the game is. You cannot honestly believe that do you? He know very well what the score is. He KNOWS, that the ability for the girl to be won over is contingent on his ability to provide for her.

I will tell you something else, it is a fairly common principle of psychology that people tend to repeat their patterns of behavior. Nowhere is that more demonstrated than in the area of criminal activity. Most people go through life and they are never arrested for anything. However, the more people are arrested, the more they continue to get arrested. In this case the same applies. I am comfortable in stating that most of these men who use money as a means of controling their women (as in the old gringo/young cololmbian model) have been doing so all their lives. They do/did it right here with American women, it's just that now, when they seek out new women in Colombia, they found a new place, younger women, and women that invariably are far more dependent on them if they ultimatley marry and come here.

So as to your inference that these men are naive and have to have the blinders removed so that they wake up and know the reality, I think I have essentially said that they already know the reality of things better than you think they do.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:36:

and one more time, no, gomez you are MFT if you know what I mean by that. I admit that there are a number of women who do look for a wealthy husband even here but in general terms, they are a definite minority. Many of the most educated, most beautiful women do not wish to marry money; they are looking other things in their prospective suitors. How little you really know about women! It's totally amazing for a man of your age and experience.

Cheers,
Desi

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:45:

So, G'man, you maintain that both parties have their eyes wide open and it's like a business deal where everybody is negotiating to get what they want. Tit for tat, so to speak.

Kat, you are getting to be a real cut-up with these one-liners of yours. Keep up the good work, mi querida.

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.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:45:

So, G'man, you maintain that This damm mouse.....

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.

Rubiazo says on Sep 3, 2005, 11:46:

Gomez is just a litle cynical and in a way I agree with him. Most people will never know what true love is, woman or man. Most people operate out of stupid short-term self interest and understand little in life outside of thier sex, their bellies and their wallets.
I have certainly seen lots of examples of that kind of thing outside of Latin America. Hell, when I was a teenager I used to date strippers just for the free meals at restaurants and free gifts!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kernow62 says on Sep 3, 2005, 12:23:

Actually UTC it is two tits for a tat.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Sep 3, 2005, 12:23:

"Me thinks" you are ALL misunderstanding me...honestly I never meant to say....jesus christ, will you people read!!! Anyway, I never meant to say that all beautiful women are looking for a rich man. Please cut and past my line where I said or even implied that.

I was talking about the situation where in the US, or in Colombia but to a greater extent, that SOME women that are looking to improve their "lot" in life, aggressively seek "men of means" ($). And for every woman who seeks a man of that nature, there is at least one man who is more than willing to part with some of his assets to procure a woman of this nature.

I did not say the following:
That all beautiful women seek wealthy men
That all wealthy men seek a young and attractive woman and use their wealth as a means to control her.

But, it is common. And it is a common practice, and if anyone here were to deny that it happens, then it is indeed that person that is wearing the so called "blinders" and not the gringo using his $ as a means to lure a young hot colombian girl to be his wife g/riend or whatever.

And yea UC, sorry, the concept of tit for $, as opposed to tit for tat, is not really a very new concept is it now?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 3, 2005, 12:36:

I don't know , gomez maybe I just read between the lines. "did not say the following:
That all beautiful women seek wealthy men
That all wealthy men seek a young and attractive woman and use their wealth as a means to control her.

But, it is common"

Not.

Not here, anyway. It happens, but it's not common. It's not the norm of the society, thank gods. I'm truly glad for it, because it's a dehumanizing concept.

Cheers,
Desi

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 12:46:

Morphus I've been reading other threads and no one has really talked much about having a girlfriend in Cartagena and paying for things except me, so I'm going to assume that the following comment was about me:

"i laugh at one guy that goes to Cartagena to visit his ho. he's always complaining that when he goes out with her and her friends, he gets stuck with the bill. he's a sucker....lol."

These were your comments. First of all, I said it was family, not her friends. The older sister owns a couple of internet cafes in El Centro, on a corner with arguably the most traffic in the city. She does well for herself. Other family members aren't so fortunate, and they try to invite themselves out to eat with me and my girlfriend when they have no money to pay. That is an issue I've talked about with my girlfriend, and she agrees that it is rude.

The whole issue of sending money to your fiancee is relative. If a man wants to give his girlfriend a few hundred dollars so she can do some shopping, get her hair done, whatever, it doesn't mean he's being taken advantage of. In the four months prior to that trip, I'd made a little over $110,000USD. So buying her a pair of shoes for 150,000 pesos was a non event. If sending your girl $300USD interferes with your Saturn payment, then your position is understandable. My girl has a degree in Contabilidad y Finanzas. She could go out and work. I told her not to, to use these few months to focus on her English. Since it was my idea for her not to work, but rather study, then it's an entirely different situation--the idea of helping her. Because she COULD earn her own money. And the money it takes to provide basic needs for her in Colombia, given that she lives with her parents, is negligible. So when I said in one thread "give the girl $750 or whatever is comfortable for you" it was relative. She should be able to do a little shopping, keep her hair and nails done, see a movie, whatever. In my case, I talk to my girl every day at random hours of the day. She's not cheating and she's not gaming. First of all, I'm from Los Scandalous, California. If there's a dating game to be played, I've seen it. I'm not an aging bald, fat gringo in his mid-50s. I'm a 33 yr old, reasonably handsome, athletic bachelor with his own business. I was president of an economics honors society. I sold Equity Research for Latam companies. I worked at one of the largest investment banks on Wall Street. I've never had a problem getting dates in the U.S. In fact, I have dated enough in the U.S. that I'm bored with the women here and I wanted something else. So if I want to give my girl $750 here and there, don't attack the idea just because it's more than your car payment. And as far as being a ho, the anonymity of the Internet allows you to say that, cause it wouldn't work out too well for you if you said that in my face.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 3, 2005, 12:48:

Gomezman5 says on Sep 3, 2005, 13:03:

Thanks Adrimm... Thanks for the clarification. My whole point was a simple one. I think everyone knows what they are getting into, before they get into this type of a situation. The man does not have blinders on. He knows what is happening. He knows very well. Believe me he does.

And Des, aside from my poor spelling and typing (sorry I am a producto of Word and spell correct) I have never been accused of not being specific as to what I write. After 9 months here, you should know me well enough by know that what I write has never has any hidden meanings.

That said, don't infer, and don't read beyond what I have written. To do so what be to give my postings a meaning other than the one that was intented. There are no hidden agendas from the G5. You should certainly know that by now

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Sep 3, 2005, 13:19:

CaryGrant got it right CaryGrant hit the nail RIGHT ON THE HEAD. That being said, when I was "Dating" my wife, I was in Texas and she was in Colombia. I, NOT HER, WANTED to send her money to cover her expenses for bus/taxi fare, using the internet cafe ect. AFTER we were engaged, I sent her MORE money every two weeks so she could buy some new cloths, have "Spending money" ect. AFTER we got married and I was in Texas getting ready to move here, I was sending even MORE money so she could start to purchase items we would need for our home.

My question to you single guys is this*** If you are SERIOUS about a women, why would you NOT help her out financially? If your girlfriend is "Just a piece of ass", then WHY the hell are you flying all the way to Colombia just to get layed"?

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 13:29:

The answer BAQ is that some of these guys are too broke to fathom the concept of helping her out financially. They want a relationship, but as soon as the topic of money comes up, they get nervous. We're talking about a neglible cost of living in Colombia. I can't believe all the posts about how a few hundred dollars here or there is a "sure sign" to run. I guess so if you're barely squeaking by yourself. In which case, maybe they shouldn't be marrying someone from another country since eventually he'll be responsible for 100% of her expenses which are sure to triple in the United States.

With that said, if you ARE going to Colombia just to get laid, and you are using American dollars to level the playing field so you can actually get a girl, then G5 is correct. Even if the guy is in denial. If you haven't had a woman in 20 something years, and you go to Colombia and now all of a sudden you're a stud, then something ain't right.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Hunter says on Sep 3, 2005, 14:51:

Travelling around the world I have noticed one common factor in EVERY Country that I have been to and spent more than a few days in.

In the better class neighbourhoods compared to the ordinary or poor
neighbourhoods, I will see better quality houses, better quality cars, better quality clothing and better looking women, I wonder why that is.

Hunter

0 funny, 0 helpful.

caslug says on Sep 3, 2005, 14:59:

to second Hunters observation.. In the US, rich guys have good looking GF. I've have NEVER seen a 40's something rich, decent looking guy be with a unattractive women as his wife or GF. If it's a GF, they're usually 10 yrs younger and good looking, if it's a wife, she may be near his age but still decent looking.

Now i've seen average middle class, blue collar working guys have good looking GF/wife also, BUT I also see many with unattractive wives/GF. And if we're talking about POOR GUYS, then i see more of them with unattractive wives/GF. You think they're lots of hotties married to pot-belly, poor guys in the trailer park? hmmm..

So I wonder if money has ANY corralation to getting a good looking wife/GF? Hmmmm...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on Sep 3, 2005, 15:12:

In NY its the opposite South Bronx is full of hot sexy mamis and the Upper East Side is full of ogres!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 15:52:

With a few dollars even an average looking woman can look better. She can get her hair done, make up, clothes. Keep her teeth looking nice. Take that same woman with no money and she wouldn't look nearly as good. Women with money can take care of themselves better. Although as Rubiazo pointed out, some women it doesn't matter how much they have, they're just tore up.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

DianaMa says on Sep 3, 2005, 16:14:

Public Health Notice... ...for Morph and all other "gentleman" visting the country.

I was talking to a gynocologist here in Medellin, one of the best, and while discussing this in that I got an interesting and disturbing bit of information.

Turns out AIDS is a big problem here, that isn't a big surprise. What was shocking is that its all over the place, estrato alto, bajo, old, young, straight, gay. So while you're having a blast, just remember honey, ain't nothin' in life free!!!!

PS
His exact words were "Medellin esta podrido en la sida".

Cheers
Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 3, 2005, 16:29:

and then again, some women need very little maintenance to look good. Oh yes, the basics, dentistry, hair, exercise and a decent wardrobe but only a little extras.

No, money has very litle correlation with good looks. You either have it or you don't. Or you don't give a damn.

Cheers,
Desi

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 16:39:

Maybe money has very little to do with natural good looks, but we men are generally a little more shallow than that. Don't want to sound crude, but have you ever been in the grocery store and been attracted to the product with the coolest packaging? Same concept. A woman can do a whole lot with her "packaging" to make herself attractive to men, even if her natural looks are average.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:03:

It's nothing to me if you guys want to shell out a lot of dough on a chick. Go for it. If I was doing it, I'd start to wonder if she was in it for me or the dinero. Of course once you know what her motives are, there's no point being a cheapskate just to prove a point. Like everything there's a fine line between being generous and caring and being taken advantage of.

So what are you telling us, Diana? Riding bareback is dangerous?

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.

BxUnika says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:23:

at Mrs. Gomez "I’m not gonna sleep with some low life who can’t pay his own bills and who wont help me out! No way!!! I rather find someone who’s prepared to help me financially and that’s not being a gold-digger it’s called being intelligent"

Here's an idea: why not wait until you can support yourself before you have a child. Nobody needs to support you. Get real.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:27:

Officially, as of that last post.... the gloves have come off.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Nick Serrano says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:33:

Claro I think that I may be able to shed some light on this subject for a few people. I am a North American in Nicaragua instead of Colombia but the same rules apply...

When I was growing up I didn't have much money, I had less money than all of my friends and... since they were my friends and they wanted to go places and enjoy life, they also wanted me to enjoy myself too. So I was able to live well for a good length of time off of the generosity of my friends. I was a little ashamed that I couldn't pay my own way but I was thankful that others did that for me.

Now I am 31 years old and make more money than all of my friends and family. And it feels good to me when I take my friends out. I have no problem paying the bill and I am often insulted if someone tries to stop me from paying.

As for the money to the girlfriend, My girl comes from a large family with 9 children, she is the oldest and yes she does have a job and she has never asked for money except when one of the family members has to go to the hospital or some kind of family emergency.

Her father and I are great friends and I love her whole family. They are some of the most generous people that I have ever met and they don't ask for money but I...
like to make sure that they get to do things that I would like to do if I were in their shoes such as go to concerts, movies, some new clothes. Things like that. And the cost to me is really so little...it does not affect my lifestyle one bit.

I am not trying to buy thier love, I am just repaying what was done for me in my younger days and also while I am enjoying life, why not have some companions along?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:40:

Beautifully written Nick. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 17:44:

Interestingly, I was just on the phone with my girlfriend talking about this topic. She says that, in her circle, she doesn't know any girls with boyfriends from the United States, therefore she doesn't know any girls taking advantage of gringos. She said that she knew a girl she went to school with who signed up at one of these agencies though. A gringo came down, claimed he loved her and all this stuff. He was looking for a girl who already had a visa. This girl did. So she came to the U.S., he beat the sense out of her, and forced her into a life of prostitution. The story ends with her running down the street in the middle of the night after a daring escape, the police turn her over to Immigration, and she was finally returned to Colombia. Evidently there has been more than one story like this on the news there. The ONLY point to telling this story is that the Colombianas in question aren't the only ones enganando uno al otro.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Luisa says on Sep 3, 2005, 18:41:

LOL... did someone screwed you over or something!!!!
I think most americans like to think that everyone en Colombia is very poor, therefore they want to help out, and nosotras aren't going to say no... we'll go like: Sure, i'll take it mi amor. lol

But seriosly... My bf never sent me a penny, so was I the one who got screwed over? lol
It's all good. If your gf is poor, then send her some, but if she dones't need it, so don't bother.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Sep 3, 2005, 20:17:

Wow. Maybe her face makes up the difference.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Crazy4Cali says on Sep 3, 2005, 20:35:

Also... you can't see how many Ben Franklins he's got on his forehead.

But who knows. After all, you know why Jessica Rabbit liked Roger...He made her laugh.

Women are so hard to figure out.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Crazy4Cali says on Sep 3, 2005, 21:09:

Thanks... WRT: "Not a lot of options for sexual positions with those too, huh"

The visuals from that are going to give me nightmares, tonight!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Sep 3, 2005, 22:01:

REFER OK, someone PLEASE refer that guy in the photo to the NEW website "Fat but Happy in Colombia"

"The visuals from that are going to give me nightmares, tonight", THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT !!!

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Sep 4, 2005, 00:16:

Hey GDL...it happens And for the record, while adrimm corrected me and I thanked adrimm, if adrimm not corrected me, and I would have admitted my error.

Look, I read the post correctly, I just misread the "poster." It's not the end of the world...or is it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

paisa29 says on Sep 5, 2005, 07:25:

Guys... If you are so generous, why do not help your own people who do not have food or a place to live right now?

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 5, 2005, 09:06:

You tell it, Mario. Texas has 239,000 "visitors" from Louisiana right now. I think we are doing our part.

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.

Rubiazo says on Sep 5, 2005, 09:16:

Just noticed Diana's post Totally factually wrong. Colombia as a whole has an adult HIV prevalency rate (15-49) of 0.3% as of 2003. And it has been falling if anything since then, according to most sources. This is one of the worlds lowest FYI, and about half that of the USA and Brazil, who are neck and neck.
Your doctor friend is one of those Holy Roller doctors who is trying to scare people into his idea of appropriate sexual behavior. The fact is, Colombians are using condoms, and condoms are doing their job in spades.
The big HIV hot spots in the Western Hemisphere are Dominican Republic and Haiti. As of 2003, Haiti was 6.5% and DR was 2.5% and both are rising exponentially.
Colombia may have a lot of deep seated problems but here are some areas where it does NOT have a problem
-STDs
-Potable water
-Quality food
-Education

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 5, 2005, 09:21:

Damm, Rubiazo, you're gonna confuse everyone with the facts!

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.

paisa29 says on Sep 5, 2005, 09:27:

Mario, yo se que hay personas que estan ayudando como usted, pero mi comentario fue dirigido a algunos superficiales que hablan de enviar dinero que les sobra a sus novias para que compren ropa, se hagan las uñas, se arrglen el cabello, etc.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Sep 5, 2005, 09:32:

Isn't it our job to be superficial idiots? How will they get their hair done without us?

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.

paisa29 says on Sep 5, 2005, 09:38:

creame que si yo estuviera allá en este momento me encantaría poder ayudar como voluntaria

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Sep 5, 2005, 12:54:

the statistics on HIV/AIDS in Colombia in 2003 http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/global?page=cr05-co-00

HIV/AIDS in Colombia

Adults age 15-49 with HIV/AIDS, 2003 180,000


New HIV infections, 2004 nd


I know this is off-topic, but rubiazo's statement about the prevalency of HIV/AIDS in Colombia is incorrect.

Cheers,
Desi

Adult HIV prevalence (%), 2003 0.7


Women age 15-49 with HIV/AIDS, 2003 62,000


Children with HIV/AIDS, 2003 nd


AIDS orphans (ages 0-17), 2003 nd


AIDS deaths, 2003 3,600


Another good site on Colombianhealth statistics: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/colombia_statistics.html

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on Sep 5, 2005, 13:52:

I just tried to find my source on the net and it has disappeared. But it game some different numbers for 2003, higher in DR and Haiti and lower everywhere else. USA and Brazil were the same at 0.6 or 0.7% respectively.

That link seems like a very reliable source to me, but even taking those statistics at face value, nowhere in the western hemisphere has an HIV problem outside of the Caribbean. As a matter of fact based on YOUR statistics from that link I would like to point a few facts out-

HIV in South America is largely a localized problem. It is generally spread among gay men who DONT use condoms (usually because they are closeted and dont want to be found out), and the women who are their gfs and wives who have no idea what is going on. This is the exact same situation in the USA and Canada these days. This is right from your link. Notice that sex workers are NOT mentioned anywhere near problem groups. The other group that suffers from high HIV rates is the drug injectors.

An HIV prevalency rate of over 1% is considered to be a problem. Not ONE country that has decriminalized or legalized prostitution has an HIV prevalency of over 1%. According to your site, Colombia Brazil and Venezuela are at 0.7 and Mexico and Chile are with Canada at 0.3%. Prostitution is legal in Mexico and officially tolerated to some extent in Canada and Chile and the ages of consent are 12, 14, and 12 respectively. So much for law protecting populations.

The Netherlands has a lower HIV prevalency rate at 0.2% than anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, aside from Cuba. In Cuba they have no problem arresting prostitutes, torturing them, and 'disappearing' them. They also quarantine you for the rest of your life if you are HIV positive and none of your friends and family ever see you again.

To sum up, that idiot doctor in Medellin suggesting that the city is 'rotten with AIDS' is full of shit! According to his ass the whole world is probably going to hell in a handbasket! The facts are, sex workers are NOT the main source of STD transmission, in Colombia, Brazil, the US OR Canada. In the DR they are, because there is a reluctance to use condoms, but according to your site the tide is finally turning thanks to successful education programs and STD rates are lowering again.

Please everybody note that once again according to Desi's link, HIV prevalency is not any worse in South America than it is in North America. I don't think we need any more of the Chicken Little mentality on the site.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Sep 5, 2005, 15:04:

AIDS That number seems VERY LOW. I suspect the reason that number is LOW is due to inadequate REPORTING. Think about it, if you look at the number of people who are not able to afford or do not seek medical care in Colombia and factor in that even the ones who do get medical care and given the poor recording keeping done here with regards to medical records / informaiton, it makes sence that the true numbers are not being reported.

Just a thought

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gomezman5 says on Sep 5, 2005, 16:20:

BAQ is 100 % Correct -HIV reporting in Colombia is unreliable This is just another example of the many dreamers out here that think that things in Colombia happen the way they do in Europe and the US. In Colombia, the reporting of the incidence of HIV infection is at a minimum unreliable if not actually outright poor

If you more intelligent people would just excercise a modicum of common sense, you would realize that in a country where central reporting is not mandatory, and in a country where the legitimate central government does not even have the ability to track the infection rate (%40 of the country is Guerilla controled---and I'm sure they report Ja Ja)how can you expect the repoted infectious rate to be anything BUT unreliable.

It amazes me how people who live in modern Western countries that has an excellent reporting system, just seem to forget these differences, even though they have lived in Colombia, and they know that Colombia has these shortcomings.......Just can't figure it out.

Ok, so who is the first person that is going to attack this post starting with my spelling/typing or attorney jokes? That is usually the best response people can come up with---below the belt, unresponsvie comments.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Sep 5, 2005, 20:26:

AIDS DEATHS ????? Morphus, you can;t use the number of deaths as a way to gauge AIDS. THIS IS A COUNTRY where people are buried within 24 hours of dying. Homicide, suicide, accidental, medical ect ect ect, it makes no difference. You die, you are in the ground "Usually" within 24 hours. I have only been to one funeral where they waited 5 days so relatives to retun to Colombia and even then, no embalming, he was kept in a refrigerator and was swollen up like a ripe grape the day of the funeral. The word "Autopsy" isn;t even in the Colombian vocabulary.

So even if you discount the guerilla problem that Gomezman5 accuratly stated, unless you check into a hospital and say "I have aids", then die from a SECONDARY condition, chances are the death won;t be reported.

Gomezman5 is right, western standards do not apply here. Every time I go to the doctor, they give me MY medical records to take home. If I need to go back, I take them with me. They don;t keep and catalog your medical records here like in the States.

NOW, factor in the stigma of AIDS, in a Catholic country, don;t you think it's reasonable to assume a large % of people are not going to acknowledge they have the disease??

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on Sep 5, 2005, 21:52:

Sorry but My gf's friend was killed in a 'carjacking' (probably not really a carjacking) in February. There was a real investigation and a real autopsy just like in any other country. I don't know what the hell you guys are talking about. One of my Rolo friends in Queens used to work for the city morgue here. Their procedure is exactly the same. If foul play is suspected, an autopsy is performed. They make the Y incision, weigh the organs, the whole mess.
Those statistics Desi posted were from the UN, NOT the Colombian government btw. I´d be the last person to argue that things aren't fucked up here. But THEY ARE FUCKED UP IN THS US AND CANADA TOO! And don't try to tell me that it's so much worse here. Are you telling me that nobody in America tries to hide they have AIDS or HIV either? in a FUNDAMENTALIST country as opposed to a Catholic one?? If you discount the accuracy of Colombian statistics you could easily attack US statistics on the same damn grounds. Reliable centralized reporting in the US? What kind of dream world are you living in??
Gomez if you really are a Libertarian (like me) why are you so enamored of the USA? It should be obvious to you as well as me that the US is becoming more and more SOCIALIST every year. I don't differentiate that much between idiotic governments here in Colombia, the US, or in Canada. If anything I would have to say that I see government money more at work for the common good here in Bogotá than I do in NYC.
For that matter, how many people in remote areas in Canada lack adequate medical care, or homeless people in cities with no fixed address? How many of THEM have HIV or AIDS? This is not a small number, my home town of Winnipeg has LEGIONS of homeless?
My arguments were based on taking Desi's statistics at face value. I'm not a big fan of the UN and I really can't stand up and say their statistics are reliable across the board. But frankly G5 you have given us nothing but RHETORIC. I dont see any objective reason to accept America's statistics as spot-on accurate and reject Colombias as being ridiculously wide of the mark.
Brazil gives away FREE HIV meds to anybody who wants them and needs them. Nobody in the country is denied access to treatment for any reason. Nobody has any reason to hide it, they would be absolutely nuts to deny the free medicine and die miserably rather than go in living in relative good health. They have had a massive and successful publicity campaign over the past several years. Their HIV prevalency rate is on par with the US and Colombia. I personally see no reason to think any of these statistics arent in the right ballpark.
To me all that talk just sounds like more myopic cultural chauvinism based purely on baseless convictions. I really don't like it when people slam Latin America in general, not because it offends me personally but because a lot of the time people are just regurgitating popular myths.
Gomez next thing you are going to tell us is that Bogota really doesn't have a nice new transit system, or that Chicago really actually does have more universities per capita!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on Sep 5, 2005, 22:18:

and back on topic My gf's roommate had a gringo sending her 2 million a month. This maybe lasted for half a year. 400k was supposed to go to her dear sweet mother. Mommy never got a peso. 200k of it was supposed to go for the gym, to keep her ass in shape. Girlie never went near a gym. Another 250k was for English classes. Do you think she ever cracked a book open?
Oh, and she lied to him about how much rent she had to pay. Maybe this is why some of you guys think rents are so expensive here in Bogotá :P
What the 2 million a month actually accomplished is this- it turned a closet alcoholic into a full-blown alcoholic who disappears for days on end. Needless to say my gf's roommate is now an ex-roommate. El Señor Novio back stateside finally got tired of having to duck walking through doors so his antlers wouldn't get caught. And yes she was double dipping (at LEAST double!) Some scumbag 'friend' of hers was crashing here for a week or so up until the day before I flew in. My gf called me all worried about it, I told her don't worry, if the guy is still there when I get there he will be leaving via the window (3rd story).
So needless to say, Girlie is with no plata and Novio is out several million COP meaning several thousand USD. The best part, they met over the net, and Novio working his 7 day a week high pressure gringo job had yet to come down here and consummate the relationship physically. Ah but think of the memories that can now follow him to his grave!
Girlie told her family in Bogotá that she was here and told us she was over there. Her cousin came looking for her yesterday very surprised that she hadnt been here for days. She wouldnt answer my gf's calls. We called her on skype and she thought it was Moneybags because it shows up as an international call on one's cellphone :) My gf told her she had better hurry up and get her shit out of here because we are going to rent the spare room out. I told her if she doesnt do it soon she should pawn all her shit.
Ok those are the facts. Now my opinion.
I am not one to judge anybody for sending anybody money, although I am inclined to agree with GIB and think you are a fool. BUT if you are sending somebody in Colombia money TO SURVIVE why the hell isn't 500k a month enough?? If people are SURVIVING on 383k 500k is a king's fucking ransom! And that 500k should be ONLY if they are in Bogotá or Cartagena. If they are in the sticks, half of that should do just fine!
P.S. I left a lot of real good dirty bits out of this story because for many reasons I don't think they should go on a public forum. But I'll fill you all in at Orange bar :)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Sep 5, 2005, 22:43:

RUBIAZO First, let me say I am sorry to hear about your girlfriend. I am not slamming latin America, I live here and I love it. I am just stating what in my mind is the obvious, this is a 3rd world country and not like America, Canada or the EU.

I don;t see how anyone can think that 0.7% is an accurate number of people infected with AIDS in Colombia that seems way to low or a percentage. If the number was 2 or 3%, it would be more believable. Now not having Aids, I can't speak to this with 100%, but I am pretty damn sure that Colombia is not giving out FREE AIDS MEDICATION. This Govt is so damn tight it squeaks.

As for the Autopsy thing, guess Bogota has a corner on that market, is much different here on the Coast. The "Last funeral" I was refering to was a 23 yr old male who was murdered, shot 3 times in the chest. My wife knew the family so obviously she taked to them and we went to the funeral. That incident was a homicide and there was no autopsy done. That info came direct from the family, so this is were i was getting my information. But then again, everything is different here on the coast when you try to compare it to Bogota.

One example on the Aids issue, they shut down a whore house here about 9 months ago because, and I am quoting from the news article that ran in the paper "The large amount of women working who were known to have aids".

As far as trusting the UN's numbers, well, the UN coundn't find there own ass using both hands. Not that the U.S Govt is any better, referance Huricaine Katrina.

So don;t get your bowel's in an uproar, I love this country also, despite its problems.

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Rubiazo says on Sep 5, 2005, 23:12:

All i have to say is if it's 3% in Colombia it is probably 3% in the USA as well. And they could well have made that story up in order to have an excuse to shut the whorehouse down too. It cuts both ways.
Bottom line, use a condom, in the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and if you have sex on the moon, use a condom there too!
Another little known fact about STD tranamiaaion, people who have a lot of sexual experience are LESS likeely to contract STDs than those who have little or no experience, because they have learned how to protect themselves. So just remember, practise makes perfect!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

poco says on Sep 5, 2005, 23:37:

Disturbing Yes we are doing our part and our crime rate just skyrocketed too because of the influx of some VERY DESPERATE folks. Houstonians have been buying a highly increased number of firearms to protect themselves and their families. The Astrodome complex area has turned into Mayhem Central and the advisories haven't been good.

Darn that TV, just this afternoon they were saying how WONDERFUL things were at the astrodome. I hear Greece donated two cruse ships, 4000 folks from the dome may get a free trip.

Mario: Is there a special line for that trip?

Well,, remember,, Don't mess with Texas or maybe that should be Praise the Lord and Pass the ammunition.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BAQ says on Sep 6, 2005, 15:40:

Poco PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, right on! Now don;w worry to much poco, remember that "Dr. Phil" is there and I am sure he will make everyone feel good about themselves. I used to live in Dallas, have an ex- co-worker who told me that all branches of Federal Law Enforcement in Dallas went on a hightended state of alert and all leaves / vacations had been canceled in anticipation of 25K people arriving in Dallas since Houston was reaching their limit.

So yes, it is definatly pass the ammuition. If you are feeling a real sense of patriotic duty, you can always go to San Sanonio and help re-defend the Alamo :-)

Semper Fidelis !

0 funny, 0 helpful.