Kilo's vs pounds in Colombia

Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 2, 2007, 11:53:

It's shorthand, an approximation, but it's pretty sad if supposedly educated people don't know the difference. You'll win any bet so bet big.

elk says on Sep 2, 2007, 12:13:

The wager was for 80,000 COP. She didn't have the 80,000 COP, so pledged her body instead. The outcome should prove very interesting.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 2, 2007, 12:31:

If you're from the UK or one of the commonwealth states, she might be able to cloud the issue with Imperial units which *sometimes* have a different mass (or volume) than an identically named unit in the U.S., e.g. ounces, hundredweights, short tons, long tons. But if this isn't the case, she loses!

P.S. If you're ever under the doctor's care, make sure someone else measures the dose!

CristalM says on Sep 2, 2007, 17:31:

Maybe cause of the altitude in Bogota they think a kilo is just 2 lbs.! (I am only kidding, good luck with your bet!)

Atrevido says on Sep 2, 2007, 17:52:

Is she...well...do you want to win the bet?

gold digger says on Sep 2, 2007, 19:05:

A kilo has always been 2.2lbs.
1 lb = 0.454 kg
1 kg = 2.205 lbs

Gator says on Sep 2, 2007, 19:07:

Even though Colombia signed up for the metric system a number of years ago it is not rigorously followed even though it is the official standard. For those of use who live here we buy our gasoline in gallons not liters. At many times you will see a $ per pound prices in a store.

We also see vara, fonegada and quintal used. EDls you may lose those $$$

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

static says on Sep 2, 2007, 19:14:

A pint's a pound the world around.

john_stark says on Sep 2, 2007, 19:45:

Did you bet for any specific kinky sexual acts?

bufalo says on Sep 3, 2007, 06:03:

Because like most things in Colombians, they don't care about details and will not try to learn something new. If you explain the whole kilo/pound thing, they will probably feel you're being complicated/nerdy/whatever. Try teaching them how to use an elevator, they all either push both arrows at the same time while watiting, then get on in the wrong direction (and complain) or think the arrow means the direction the elevator must go in orde to get where they are, not the direction you want to go to.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

bufalo says on Sep 3, 2007, 06:04:

Forgot to mention how they have no undestanding that in order for the people to go into the elevator once there, they should move out of the way and let the people off first. Only a certain amount of space people...

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

robi666 says on Sep 3, 2007, 06:54:

Bufalo, you made me laugh about the arrows, so true... LOL

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

bufalo says on Sep 3, 2007, 08:15:

Also the sizes of the elevator. Clinics can have a good dozen offices (clinic=sick people who can't walk maybe, hello architects! wake up!) and there's one, maybe two elevators that can only handle about 5 people each. Combine that with the arrow and jumping in the elevator thing and it's a mess. Not to mention the lazy asses who take the elevator for one floor.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Man Tequila says on Sep 3, 2007, 12:57:

Everyone has elevator pet peeves.

I suspect the 2=1 thing is just to simply the math, and maybe to gain a 10% advantage if the price is listed per kilo but delivery is measured in pounds.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

bufalo says on Sep 3, 2007, 19:31:

Like my wife says, that's what they teach in grade school. But you'd think a freaking doctor/architect would pick up the real deal along the way.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Man Tequila says on Sep 3, 2007, 19:36:

This could cause real problems for Colombian engineers. Water weighs one kilogram per litre, and this is used in all sorts of important calculations from density to specific heat. Guess Colombian chemists always use SI.

A ten percent error in medicine dose could cause problems, but since medicine dose is often surprisingly variable, would do so less than you'd think. I am amazed doctors wouldn't use and be aware of a more accurate conversion -- I'm not persuaded they are not aware.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

vicshere says on Sep 3, 2007, 19:37:

humm the bags of cement say 50kilos ...no wonder the old man can pick them up...........he is picking up 100 lbs ...I can't pick it up cause its 110 lbs...I knew there was a good reason....the son of bitch doesn't know what he's picking up

listo

bufalo says on Sep 4, 2007, 16:49:

Good one. Actually tell that to someone here in a real serious sense. I bet someone would believe you...

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor