Metrosexual Men in Colombia

analyzethis1 says on Feb 27, 2008, 18:09:

" I was under the impression that in Colombia you do not show personal wealth............??"

I guess that was based on your experiences. I had a complete opposite experience. Soooo, back to the original question, are majority of men metrosexual? (Raaay, you may want to address Baltazaar personally-thx)

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson

Simon says on Feb 27, 2008, 18:14:

Ok,I admit it....I'm a metrosexual.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

manINred says on Feb 27, 2008, 18:23:

Well, many are. I was when I was there I suppose (so people told me) and didn't have trouble fitting in.

PALEOLITICO says on Feb 27, 2008, 18:27:

analy realmente yo creo que esa afirmación es falsa. Si hay metrosexuales en Colombia pero son una minoria, aunque cada vez los hombres se cuidan mas y se preocupan mas por mantenerse en forma pero de ahí a ser metrosexuales como tales, creo que todavia no hay muchos.

"Amar a las personas y usar las cosas; y no amar a las cosas y usar a las personas"

Nucknfuts says on Feb 27, 2008, 18:48:

I'm not metrosexual,
but I am Trisexual......

The Nuck

You are never lost, unless you don't want to be where your at.

SiV says on Feb 27, 2008, 18:54:

I think a lot of the younger generation are quite meterosexual. If you look around the private universities, there's quite a lot of preened-up kids, who dress rather metro-cum-gay. Buffed up gym boys. Brands seem pretty important, too, with many of them, Holister, Diesel, etc. which are relatively very expensive here (i.e. a pair of fashion jeans costs almost a "minimum salary"), though maybe they don't wear so much in terms of expensive jewelry.

Still, I always think it's funny that so many older, supposedly "macho" guys, walk round with clear nail-polish and big dodgy moustaches. I'm sure Freddy Mercury would've felt at home.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

rhydewithdis says on Feb 27, 2008, 19:03:

Metro men? I would guess so... I saw plenty of guy with their nails properly manicured - heck even I got it down while I was out there. For $3 you can't go wrong.

At most of the clubs I hung out at (B-Bar, Babylon, Carnaval, etc.), most of the guys wore designer gear - Ed Hardy T-shirts, Prada shoes, Rock and Republic jeans, etc. People definitely have money out there. They might not spend it on jewelry, watches and cars, but they certainly are up on the latest fashion and spend the money to acquire. I'm guessing lots of them travel overseas quite often and buy their clothes in the States, because I didn't see many of these brands sold in the local high-end malls.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

gringoloid says on Feb 27, 2008, 19:12:

these people altogether care more about their appearance than americans do. even the poor people look much better than the average american. in comparison, americans look like vagrants.

pedro says on Feb 27, 2008, 20:04:

Not in my opinion. Plenty of Colombian guys with money are vulgar and have poor taste. They might want to wear labels, but that doesn't go hand in hand with aesthetic sense and an interest in fashion.

Generally guys of all socio-economic levels make an effort to look neat and clean. At least in the cities. That doesn't equal metrosexual, though.

I don't think Colombian dudes in general dress that elegantly. Most colombianos (rich or not) are happy wearing an unremarkable T-shirt and whatever jeans they have to hand.

que nota!

analyzethis1 says on Feb 27, 2008, 20:23:

Gringoloid, you hit the nail on the head. I noticed that most people, money or no money, were always well presented. I mean, look how they serve food at their homes! They care because

Baltaazar, what could you possibly know about my experiences in CO and, most importantly, outside of Colombia?!

Paleo, amen to that if you contest that most Colombian men aren't metrosexual! My experiences with such men have not been positive. How ironic, however, that the men I met who weren't metrosexual were the nicest to me and those that were, talk about arrogance!

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson

romy says on Feb 27, 2008, 20:24:

I wouldn't say the average Colombian is metrosexual. However, Colombia business and casual dress is much more formal than north america which might misconceive. The only people that go to work in suits around here are the COs and VPs, while in Colombia interns wear suits. Then casually males will generally tuck in their shirts and a buttoned shirt isn't merely a bar shirt for youth. Now where foreigners like to hang out are hotspots for the metros like the clubs, malls and the restaurants.
Pedro, I agree with you about the lack of aesthetic sense and interest in fashion of some of the guys. These guys that just because their shirts say prada (or whatever) think they are walking runways in milano, happens the same here though and apparently all over the world (see 'Guidos').
BTW, designer brands can be found in boutiques and not in malls.

analyzethis1 says on Feb 27, 2008, 20:24:

...they care (about their appearance) because it does equate with their status. So, to me, they're displaying their "wealth" (whatever sum that may be.)

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson

msaucey says on Feb 27, 2008, 21:40:

That's one of the things I like about the colombian men (maybe the only thing).. For the most part everyone is neat.. and most men wouldn't have an issue getting a manicure...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

curramberochris says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:05:

people here show what they have through their clothes, trainers, cars, apartments.

Many people live in an apartment they can`t afford as it is in the "best" part of town. Perhaps this happens in many other countries but here the sole purpose is to give an impression of how wealthy you are......
But it doesn`t matter how much money you have to show off, to can still easily spot where a person grew up by their manners, behaviour, attitudes, accent etc............

curramberochris says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:08:

and I would never in a million years get a manicure..nor would I ever admit it. Maybe that's my macho northern English roots showing.

No offence intended but...... I can't respect a guy sittinng in a beauty salon with his nails in a little bowl of water while the girl files the other hand!

msaucey says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:13:

Curra... It must be your macho roots showing.... I'm guessing you must clip your nails, there's nothing wrong with going to the next step and removing all the excess cuticles?.... We're not saying guys are getting red nail polish, it's just like getting a haircut....

A persons hand is important.... When you shake someone's hand you get a pretty good impression based on the hand....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

curramberochris says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:17:

I know what you mean....just something I have never come across before. Maybe the times are a changing, but I have never seen a guy in Liverpool get his nails done!

It is kind of ironic.....These big macho costeños with their huge ass trucks and 4 girlfriends.....then stop in for a quick buff and polish!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:21:

I think the younger generation are becoming more metrosexual specially in the cities, in small town you won't find that everybody will believe he is gay

engage brain before opening mouth

analyzethis1 says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:22:

msaucey wrote, "That's one of the things I like about the colombian men (maybe the only thing)"- but wouldn't you agree that they have a certain attitude as well? For example, they care more for themselves than their girlfriends/partners/friends/even family. I'm just trying to understand the men I know from Colombia who are all metrosexual and, yet, they judge everyone around them (men & women of all ages). The metro men out here that I know of in the west (and they're rampant!) still treat others without being so judgmental.

It must go hand in hand, then, being a metro Colombiano and judgmental. Again, I don't have an issue with how they present themselves but leave the attitude at home.

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson

msaucey says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:29:

Analyzethis...

"..but wouldn't you agree that they have a certain attitude as well? For example, they care more for themselves than their girlfriends/partners/friends/even family"

Yes, but I think in general this is more a "generation" thing... I'm not a big fan of labels, but in comparing certain people of varying ages, it tends to be the "Generation Y" group that I think tend to take care of themselves first and everyone else last.... Part of the "Y, should I help you" mentality... IMHO....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

analyzethis1 says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:32:

Currambero wrote, "Many people live in an apartment they can`t afford as it is in the "best" part of town. Perhaps this happens in many other countries but here the sole purpose is to give an impression of how wealthy you are......"

- This was exactly the experience I had when I visited. I couldn't get over it. Every person in Colombia knows the hardship to survive in their country and, yet, the need to impress? Save it for job interviews or tv cameras. But out in the street with the general public? I don't get it. Who's to impress? The kid selling candies? The woman selling ice cream? The others wearing fakes? I'm baffled.

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson

msaucey says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:36:

I blame that whole concept on the "Estrado" seperation... Sorry, I think that's just plain wrong and I'm sure that's what leads to this type of mentality.... I mean a change in estrado can be a difference of one block....

on a side note, has the estrado system always been around?... just curious...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

analyzethis1 says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:43:

I totally agree msaucey. I felt like I went back in time when I learned about this number-system. I, too, would like to know the history of how estratos came about. This would be an interesting post to read than my complaining about how people show off. (BTW, sorry to take so long reaching you via FB. Will get there soon:-)

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson

msaucey says on Feb 28, 2008, 08:46:

No problema, I've been meaning to send you a PM, I think we've all been hell-a busy....

I think you should start a new thread and see if we can get to the bottom of the estratification system.... I seriously doubt that it's been in place forever, I know it's tied to utilities and things like that, but I remember getting gas from the trucks when I was a kid, so I'm sure it wasn't around back then....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 28, 2008, 09:30:

I think a lot of upper class men in Bogota fit that bill. Very attuned to fashion, get regular haircuts, spa treatments, etc. Sometimes I feel like a cromagnon around them.

Robert Jorge says on Feb 28, 2008, 10:13:

One of the things that first struck me in Villavicencio, was seeing llaneros getting their nails done. I thought I was hallucinating. I am talking, ranch hands who literally just got off work herding cattle, and then sit down in their rubber boots, cowboy hat, and get a manicure. WTF?

--"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

gatogris says on Feb 28, 2008, 10:22:

In the US, its more important for us metrosexuals to have our ass hair waxed off and the cheeks buffed a nice, glistening rosy pink than to get too fussy about our nails.

El Polo says on Feb 28, 2008, 10:23:

didnt elmo shave his ass once too!!!

to avoid "dingleberries"

jorgegdiaz says on Feb 28, 2008, 12:18:

... Queer ayer for the Colombian guy?

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

analyzethis1 says on Feb 28, 2008, 17:55:

True kat, I thought metrosexuals were gay until I met some. They had girlfriends/wives. They cared for themselves better than I did! I wouldn't spend $40Cdn on manicures when I can spend $2-4COP, right? I think all the spas should jack up their service fees in Colombia and then we may notice a declining presence? What do you think?

There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give. E.A. Robinson