POOR BUT HAPPY? WHO CAME UP WITH THIS NAME? I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS

william_andrew_channell says on Jan 17, 2005, 16:05:

Completely misunderstood First of all, the name "Poor but Happy" doesn't refer exclusively to this site, much less to Colombia. If you go all the way back to the main page you'll see that it is Peter's personal site. The name refers the poor but happy life that people in our situation, mostly english teachers and other globehopping people, are in. I understand your first angry reaction, but just a piece of advice: don't go crazy and start blowing your top before you know what you're talking about.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Jan 17, 2005, 16:15:

Everything isn't about money. If that is your only measure of wealth, then yes, Colombia is a poor country. When I travel in Colombia I see incredible amounts of poverty. This has nothing to do with whether Colombia is a nice country or worth visiting etc.

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.

caslug says on Jan 17, 2005, 17:24:

amigo, take a chill pill.. most of us have one point in our lives been poor but happy, ie during our student or wandering years. Unless of course you were born to rich parents! Of course sometimes this site should name poor but horny or rich still horny, from some of the post guys have put up about getting girls! LOL!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Jan 17, 2005, 17:36:

Great post Friendly! This is something that has also has bothered me for some time. I've also thought about writing a topic about changing the name of this site to something more positive like "Friendly & Happy" or "Nice & Happy", but I never got around to it. I'm glad someone brought it up. But now that I read William_Andrew's response, I guess if it is Peter's personal site, and the name doesn't refer exclusivley to Colombia, then it's alright.


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

umm says on Jan 17, 2005, 18:16:

Me also thinking so.
UMM Me also thinking so.
UMM

UMM

My Forum

adrimm says on Jan 17, 2005, 18:20:

2nd William Andrew I first stumbled on the site in 1998, and William Andrew is dead on. The site started and for a long while was a collection of Peter's experiences and travels as an English-teacher in Colombia. There were sections for things from photos, to food, to news, to teaching etc. etc.

;)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

stevens says on Jan 17, 2005, 18:27:

Friendly I'm not Colombian so I don't know what it's like to walk a mile in your shoes, but Peter is a westerner and my take on the website name is that he was trying to make a point us us overconsumerized North Americans and Western Europeans which may be obvious to many Colombians, that money isn't everything. Since that is a lesson I am struggling with right now, "poorbuthappy" is loaded with meaning for me. Try to live up to your name.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oldbongo says on Jan 17, 2005, 18:30:

and again.... it could only be some young colombians, who always
feel defensive, that could imagine taking offence to
this endearing name.
the oldgringo thinks that one could be though of
a whole lot worse than poorbuthappy.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ACBlessing says on Jan 17, 2005, 19:19:

By the way Don't let the door hit you....

Alex Blessing, Spokane, WA USA
alex at acblessing.com
www.acblessing.com

Just plain poor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pink_lotus says on Jan 17, 2005, 19:32:

You know this is the iggnorance of some Colombians straight on.

Duhhh! It about an 'american being poor but happy' by traveling to the beautiful country you have.

I get sick of the silly materialism that some colombians have.

Your the type of person that gets a semi decent make of car then goes aroun riding in Cali thinking he's the sh*t just because you have a car.

Your comment epitmizes third worldness...or fear of it.You are so afraid of the name "Poor but Happy " that egocentricaly you immedialty assume it's an insult to 'rich colombians' or even yourself .
Cultured people embrace the third world because of it's beauty and diversity.
There are many people in Colombia who do not fall into your catogory ..but A LOT OF THEM DO.
Think before you insult with pretentious 'materialistic' airs.
It's not all about you or the emeralds.
Ciao y que Viva Colombia!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Jan 17, 2005, 19:47:

Hey Friendly Do a little research on this site and Peter. The man has nothing but the utmost respect for Colombia, as do the vast majority of posters here. We are those who love the people, the culture, and the beauty of Colombia. We are those who read right through the "official" government warning about traveling to such a "dangerous" place. Some of us are the people in relationships with colombians. We ain't the enemy and the name of this site is by no means disrepectful. Post your comments in the "Solo En Español" section and you will get the same feedback.
Colombiano X...entiendes? You are the official Defender of Colombia, but you have many supporters!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bitt3rvanilla says on Jan 18, 2005, 04:30:

Errr, yes we are poor. Oh well I guess everyone is entitled to their own views. However, the fact of colombia being a poor country is undeniable. I believe many of the people here are lucky enough to have access to what most people would consider luxury goods.
Colombia is a poor country when it comes to the services sector, why is it that we havent got investment banking? why is it that we havent got the technology necessary to process raw materials?
Why is it that higher education -among other very important things- cannot be subsidised by the state?
Colombia might have emeralds, a little oil, lots of nature but living in denial -which is not only a river- is definitely not an option.
I love colombia a consider myself extra colombian, even though I was not even born here, I wouldnt be here in the first place if i didnt think this place is absolutely mind blowing but facts speak for themselves.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

william_andrew_channell says on Jan 18, 2005, 05:44:

Peter, American? Actually Peter is Belgian. I think...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

friendly says on Jan 18, 2005, 08:51:

WHAT I MEAN IS THAT IT IS UNFAIR TO GENERALIZE With my post, I am not talking ONLY about money, even though I am talking about the general situation on my country. As I told you, I have been to many countries not only in south America and of course EVERY COUNTRY has poor places, as I said, if you take picks of the poor places of a country and show them to the world that is the image the world would get, BUT if we keep showing the best of a country it will get a positive image on the world. When I was on high school I had foreign teachers that confess to me that before going to my country they though they where going to be teaching some very poor kids living in The jungle. duh! it is because this kind of statements that make people think that our country is all about poor people, YES WE HAVE POOR PEOPLE BUT IT IS NOT TO GENERALIZE, BECAUSE SOMEONE THAT DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT COLOMBIA VISIT THIS SITE AND WILL THINK "WELL, THEY ARE HAPPY... BUT POOR AS WELL"
One more thing... I read on the magazine MARIE CLAIRE of last month that "woman on my country are disappearing" omg, give me a break, I know we have some problems but cut the drama, that is just the image that foreign people want to give about my country. I have lived for 20 years in Colombia and even though I see poor people is not more than I have seen in other places, and I haven’t been robbed or nobody I know has been killed or kidnapped. It is unfair to generalize, I am not saying that we are rich because all of the nature resources we have, but as well is not fair to say we are poor because a percentage of the population is poor, the best thing we can do, TO HELP THE COUNTRY is to give a positive image, help people that need help, don’t just talk about them. Also help promote tourism, that generates employment and helps poor people a ton! With statements like thin we are not helping to much, who will want to travel a happy BUT POOR place. My friend colombianox is right, nice and happy will be a great name.

love you!


COLOMBIANOX MIJO SOY YOLA (MASBONITA), COMO SIEMPRE AGARRADA DEL CHONGO! JEJEJE MENTIRITAS! COMO ESTAS? NO TE ME PIERDAS QUE ES UN PLACER LEERTE MIJO! GRACIAS A TI SIEMPRE ENCUENTRO ESPACIOS ASI PARA HABLAR BIEN DE COLOMBIA! TE MANDO UN BESITO CORAZON!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

william_andrew_channell says on Jan 18, 2005, 10:18:

FRIENDLY Have you read any of the replies to your original post? Take a look at the first one that I wrote.

"POOR BUT HAPPY" REFERS TO PETER, THE GUY WHO STARTED THE SITE. THIS PAGE IS ONLY PART OF HIS SITE. GO TO POORBUTHAPPY.COM AND SEE.
IT DOES NOT REFER TO COLOMBIA.

We can forgive you for the first post because you didn't know what you were talking about. But after having explained to you the origin of the name, you come back with another post repeating the same stuff and accusing him of saying Colombia is poor.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Jan 18, 2005, 10:38:

william_andrew,

Hey, that's no way to talk to a lady! Remember that no personal insults are allowed on this site. As a colombian I can understand where Friendly is coming from, maybe we should hear Peter's point of view.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

william_andrew_channell says on Jan 18, 2005, 11:08:

Sorry...ColX But still, you have to admit that she completely misunderstood the name of the site and then she goes around ranting and raving even after the meaning of the name is explained. I simply asked if she had read the previous posts. Anybody who had read them should have realized that POOR BUT HAPPY doesn't refer to Colombia. And I don't think that being Colombian has anything to do with it. Colombians can read just as well as anybody else. I think my first reply explains everything, and if she is still angry, it's because she didn't read the reply. And if she didn't read the replies, it's because she wasn't really looking for an answer; she only wanted to rant about something.

BTW, you're right about the personal insult, so I've removed it from my post.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

caslug says on Jan 18, 2005, 11:46:

friendly, If you want to get technical.. the name "poorbuthappy" is NOT poorbuthappyCOLOMBIA. Notice that Peter also has the indian forum too. It's just a catchy name that describe travellers who are poor, NOT countries that are poor. No need to take up any defence. Another famous traveller site is called "lonelyplanet", are we going to ask them to change their name too? because the planet is pretty crowded and not that lonely. Maybe they can change it to poorbutlonely, because many backpacker use the lonelyplanet as a travel guide.

here's what peter wrote on the home page of poorbuthappy.

Since 1998, Poorbuthappy.com is
the playground of Peter Van Dijck,

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter Miami says on Jan 18, 2005, 13:43:

Frendly Friendly, you need to relax. I am American and I love Colombia I visit there about twice sometimes three a year for the last three year. But with that been said you need to get out of Colombia and travel because Colombia has a lot of poverty compare with the rest of the world.

Peter

0 funny, 0 helpful.

YEP says on Jan 18, 2005, 14:03:

He might start a study here before next post
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/co

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Jan 18, 2005, 15:54:

"you need to get out of Colombia and travel because Colombia has a lot of poverty compare with the rest of the world."

Peter Miami,

Well, compared to Europe and North America, sure, but most of Africa, Central America, the Carribean, and parts of Asia (especially after the Tsunami disaster) and South America, are poorer than Colombia.


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bitt3rvanilla says on Jan 20, 2005, 18:51:

:) Well ColX Thailands GDP per capita is higher than the one in colombia and foreign investment in countries like India are far greater than in colombia. If you've done your homework correctly you might have seen that economic growth in countries like Venezuela (and trust me, I dont like Venezuela at all), Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico is greater than that of colombia.
I think Friendly does need to travel a little more, and I think you should probably remove that blindfold. Yes, Colombia is a fantastic place, i love it but admitting there is an acute degree of porvery is the first step to make things better.
I do agree with Friendly when she says evil propaganda floods the media. This country has lots of positive things to offer.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Christinalkc says on Jan 20, 2005, 19:57:

I don't think the name PoorButHappy is potraying a negative image about Colombia. In fact, I think it is an example set because it shows wealth and money is not everything. We don't need to have our pockets and bank account loaded with $$ to be happy and I guess we should learn how to live like the Colombians do. However, I do agree Colombia is not a rich country. I come from South East Asia myself and lived there almost all my life. I have travelled a bit everywhere and lived in a rich country before but then I chose to come here to Colombia anyways because the people are happy and they make me feel good although I know I may not earn as much dollars as I have before.
The name PBH does not bother me at all and should not be changed.

christina

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoX says on Jan 21, 2005, 08:21:

"The name PBH does not bother me at all and should not be changed."

Christina,

Well, obviously it doesn't bother you, you're not colombian! If it does only refer to our country, Colombia, then I can understand why colombians would consider it condescending. But what do other colombians think of this name?


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 21, 2005, 10:36:

I'm not Colombian but I've been here for a long time and I know that the name does not apply to Colombia at all! Poor but happy are the people who like peter and myself, have preferred to live in countries like Colombia at one point of our lives, not making any money, but learning a lot about the culture, the people and above all, learned to love and appreciate these places in spite of the problems and difficulties experienced there. I speak for myself only, of course, but the title is extremely appropriate and describes the kind of gringos and Europeans that have lived, loved and struggled in Colombia, especially in their youth.
So, give it up, ColombianoX, the name of the forum is not condescending or inappropriate or demeaning, because it's not referring to Colombia at all, but to the young foreigners living and visiting there.

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Christinalkc says on Jan 21, 2005, 23:56:

ColombianoX,

Even if the named changed to PoorButHappy Malaysia, I wouldn't mind it as I will take it as a compliment.

christina

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ACBlessing says on Jan 22, 2005, 04:07:

How about "Financially challenged yet content" ?? Nah, PBH works for me too. Nevermind.

Alex Blessing, Spokane, WA USA
alex at acblessing.com
www.acblessing.com

Just plain poor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

PC says on Jan 22, 2005, 06:21:

Poor or Rich So What? Friendly,

Oh how middle-class North American! This is a good example of the people Elmo rants about. Truth is, Colombians with a little money (the one's Elmo calls rich, but are really just middle class) are so damned pre-occupied with presenting an appearance of wealth that they forget what's truly important in life. You are more North American than most North Americans. You probably take that as a compliment, but it's not.

Stop whining about the name of the site. Like so many others here have said, it's the poor-but-happy lifestyle of the globetrotting backpackers that the namr referst to. But even if it werent, Colombia really is poor, but so is Appalachia. Get used to it! It's nothing to be ashamed of.

Most of us on this board love Colombia as much or more than our own home nations. We don't come here in spite of this name, we come because of it. Because we like the notion of living here on a pittance but enjoying the wonders and beauties this fantastic land holds. We are willing to be poor to do that. Get it?

If that doesn't work, just go pop a couple valiums like your North American kindred middle class spirits. The neurotic stressed out ones that most of us came here to get away from.

Geeze!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

BxUnika says on Jan 23, 2005, 09:59:

I Have to Laugh at the Name People who can quit or take so much time off from their jobs to travel around Colombia, no less the world are by no means "poor". The majority of the people on this board appear to be upper-middle-class at very least to be traveling all the time.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

YEP says on Jan 23, 2005, 17:34:

Well isn't the precise meaning of the domainname describing
the state that Peter was in when staying in Colombia. If it applies to the populus there that's just coinsidence ;-)



-------------------------------------------------------------------
Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

0 funny, 0 helpful.