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Is there a tendency between family culture and distrust of others?

I was hearing some recent statisitics about Colombia, and something very crazy stands out. One of the happiest countries in the world is one of the least trusting. According to one survey I saw in my class, 9% Colombians answer that others are trustworthy. Another figure came up, it was a graph that showed the tendency between GDP and concept of trust of the people. Obviously Colombia's mistrust of one another has implications on their economy and their ability to do business. There was an article in the El tiempo about 10 months ago that talked about Colombian expatriates aka the diaspora's inability to form community abroad because they can't trust eachother.

Now the obvious culprit of this would be 40+ years of war, I know that.

What I am curious about, is the reason why Colombians have such an extremely strong family culture and if its related to to the distrust of other of people, do they fortify their family connections because the risk of trusting others is simply too high? I imagine that other latin countries have strong family cultures, and I would imagine their is alot less talk of malicia indigenas and papayas.

Any thoughts?

PS, so basically this country is filled with extremely happy distrustful people? no wonder I am losing my mind!

By kpennell on Nov 15, 2007, 17:07 in Friendly Talkzone.

miamimike says on Nov 15, 2007, 17:39:

Is there a tendency between family culture and distrust of others--------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------YES, to put it simply,,,Spelled in Capitals

"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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Medellin Traveler says on Nov 15, 2007, 17:41:

kpennell,

Yet another great post on PHB.

Sorry I don't have much to add but can definitely see the link between having a strong family culture and the distrust of other Colombianos.

"You can't trust everyone" is a comment I heard often in Medellin from the locals when they finished a story, talking about a situation, and at the end of a comment, whenever we were talking about how things work in Colombia.

Also, found it interesting that a local would say this to a stranger in their country as a word of advice regarding people in Medellin, as if the stranger "a gringo" is somehow a person who is trustworthy. In addition, it was my impression, that they were like, "trust me, you can't trust them."

Interesting!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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kalder says on Nov 16, 2007, 00:37:

The stereotype that Colombians will always try to screw you over is just that: a stereotype. There are enough dishonest Colombians for it to have come about. But, equally, there is a very large number of them who utterly despise the papaya culture and maintain very high levels of personal integrity.

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

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Leeroy says on Nov 16, 2007, 02:23:

The general level of mistrust that I see here on a day to day basis astounds me. It permeates every aspect of life here.

While one must keep one's eyes open in a country like Colombia, I can't help but feel that there is a little bit of paranoia too.

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vicshere says on Nov 16, 2007, 04:48:

john has it pretty close on to the truth

listo

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arthur brode says on Nov 16, 2007, 05:02:

people in the big cities of Colombia tend to be more "desconfiada/prevenida"
the smaller cities/towns i have found not to be like that.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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larumberainglesa says on Nov 16, 2007, 06:54:

Hello, I haven't been here for a while . Just my observation. My husband (Colombian) doesn't trust anyone at all. I think that is why he has a hard time here in the UK. He will not let anyone get too close to him (even me). He is so cynical of people and their motives that I find it quite depressing. I am not a gullible naive person at all but think it must be down to culture

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slguy says on Nov 17, 2007, 10:16:

"He will not let anyone get too close to him (even me)."

Sorry to break it to you, but you really can't blame "culture" for a guy so cynical he doesn't even trust his wife- unless, of course, he has reason not to. That kind of cynicism is usually the result of expecting everyone else to think like he does.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Chelesupercono says on Nov 18, 2007, 05:30:

Often times there is so much jealousy, envy, greed, etc. within the family itself....is there any wonder why this behavior is exhibited on the street? It can be called cynicism but it is really more about survival in my opinion.....

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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